The mountain Democrat., 1863-09-26
THE FALCON.

That night n grand ball wns given by
!; Count Frederick Alberghi, the only re-
!, naming representative Of the noble family
! whose name he b0re.
The building was massive stone, high
I and dark, protected By moat, drawbridge
. and battlemented towers: it was fine old
feudal castle, built in the time of Freder.
, lex IL. Outside 1t Iooked gloomy and
grand; inSi ie it was ablaZe with lights and
redolent with the perfume Of choice flow.
erS, which were scattered in profusion.
not only about the large reception saloon,
: but in all the smaller apartments which
were thrown open TO the guests.
In little roum far removed from the
rest, in the eastern tower, stood two per.
SonS-a young man, remarkably hand
some, though there was an expression 0i
deep care upon his face. and lady. TIE
lady was not remarkably handsome just
now ,aS she listened to her companion with
dropping ewes; indeed, most people would
call her simply pretty till she raised her
expressive dark blue eyes. and the bill
liant, sylph.llke smile broke over her face.
The two were standing talking careie.,>ly
together, the lady leaning against the
heavily carved onken window frame, and
the young man standing nearly opposite
! he, careSsing bright eyed falcon perch
ed unon his wrist.
so. Coun; AIberghi, you will be re-
member ed tor log while as the Young
noble " ho gave the mos: splendid ball as
! yet ever attended,
The lips Of the young man curlrd, and
he answered c"n,emp,uonsly, 'That Il
certainly name worth gaining at any
rrlce.'
'Of courSeH said the lady; but why
SO scorniu about it,
You know, lady Lena, that care only
/ for your appreciation; that the bal is given
only III honor oi aud 10 please you, hose
slightest wish | would gIutiiy at any cx'
pen>e.
! Alas! Count Alherghi, am told that
d'zen times each day
! 'Probaby; but the words do not come
| from heart, as mine do
Pooh SAID the lady; they all swear
! that.'
We'll, Lady Lena, may sometime be
able to prove the truth Of INV words. !
/ have been u fool. For thrrc ycais have
hung unon your accents, fulfilled your ev-
cry wish, a. far as lay i'll my power. My
10 tune, which was ample. laid at your
feet, that you might have every possible
want supplied; and in return for this de-
voton have received nothing but cold.
ness and scoin. You know that ! love
yuu as few men lovc-with my whole
heart and soul-and yet you >cOrn me.
You ave rich and noble; still love you as
madiy a. ever, but t. night is the last time
hoW before YOU. This once plead, La
dy Lena, to be >hoHn some kIndueSs. -
Tor the la, time offer myself. Will you
accept me!
lady Lena turned very pal, as she list
rned To the rapid, passionate words utter
cd by the young man who kneIt before
her. Her eyes grew dark with some IN
ward feeling, but her words destroyed the
faint hope which had risen in his heart al
the gentle expression on her face.
on, rise, Count Frederick, for | know
this is all nonsense, insanity. To morrow
YOU " i'll be beside III" as usual, and the
ncxt, AMI every day, just as you have been
Ior years
The young man rose, and, in answer To
her tauuI, only bent his bead ani tcnhrI "
>trokrd the glossy head and neck "i tie
bright eyed bird on his wrist, that looked
from ore TO another, as II lnqullns what
Was going on.
P,qurd at his sil,nce, tie lady excain-
cd, Where now is your b0a>ted love? |
say a bitter thing to YOU aud you do not
rrtalIate.'
4 cannot forget myself 50 far as to re
talia,e to a woman
No, said she, but you can sncer. You
sneer and stroke your tAscon, which |
know Possesses more Of your boasted love
than ] do
'Jeannette never wounds me, he re-
piled. In return Tor my caresses she does
not give me bitter culdncSs.'
'Perhal she would if she could speak,
PERSISTED the lady.
Actions, Lady Lena, said he, speak
louder than wotd>.'
The girls eyes flashed, and she turned
TO the door, but paused as she nearcd it,
and looking over her shoulder, said, con
temptuuuslv, 4 suppose the cause OF your
love for that bird is because she once be
longed to some former lady love
The tone was very insulting, and this
time the young man ruised his head with
flashing eyes, aud his words were rapid
and indignant.
You are right he replied. 'TLiS fal.
con belonged to nnble lady, whose kind,
womanly heart Scorned to intiict wound
upon the mraneSt creature; who tramplcd
not under foot honorable love Offered her,
as i! it were di>agreeabe thing One
whom | loved drvotrdly, and who, had
she been unable to return the affection Of
Tered her, would yet have rejected it with
conSIderate gentlrnesS.'
why then don't you return to this par
agon OF tenderness and virtue? Sneercd
the lady.
She would willingly soothe my wound
ed split,' he replied; but she is dend.
Without another word Lena sped from
the room, her brain on fire, her eyes full
of tears. Could Frederick have seen her
as she, leaning far out of the window, wept
bitterly, he would have forgiven the bitter
words. AS it was, they parted in anger
Left alone, Frederick paced up and down
the room. In his despair he mnrmured
aloud, Il have been dwelling fool-a
madmanl For three years have devoted
nv time, heart and fortune to the service
of this hcarteSs woman; one day reward.
ed with smiles, the next with frowns. To
morrow, when the bills are paid for debts
incurred for this night, shall be absolute
ly pennileGs my fortune spent on this
vain fiirt, who is undeServing the name
Of women. Yes, Tomorrow my horses
furniture and plate will he sold, my serv
} ants DISCHARGED, and all that will remain
ko mn &c fhiS old ~~rAla and .s>a-, fat n I'm