The mountain Democrat., 1863-09-26

! ! hope the bird may stick in her throa
: and choke her, WOt~"s~- ~-~---~'N
9 isr
] OH don't take on so, Margaret. ar
5s0rry yHuE yn.s."e- :, ::-,SsG1-a poor but he vii
offer my lady dish valuable for ITS rari
| ty; for / warrant me she has never tasted
: roast falcon before
Margaret's only answer was to throw
herself into her chair and sob. The dis
, guised Lena approached her.
Don't feel so bad. But tell me why
should Count Frederick care so much fol
the poor bird =
e "s you XuotV tnat} T";, We.
; iongcd to his blessed mother, who is now
an angel in heaven
Tears filled Lena's eyes. and she said
We'll, ! didn't know tnnt. and it is a real
shame to roast the bird. and if you will
, keep it secret III help you. Give me
the bird and I'll take it home and send
you another in return. Your master will
be none the wiser
Margaret's face lighted up, and earnest
y thanking the girl, she left the room and
soon returned with the falcon, closely
hooded, which she gave to the false Su-
san, who went off with it.
Punctual to the minute came Lady Le-
ma, and never had she looked more lovely
or been dressed with so much elegance and
taste. Margaret, with sullen air, usher
ed her into the dining room, where Fred
erick came forward to receive her. He
was struck with her fresh, winning ap-
pcarance, and she with his pale, haggard
appearance; bitter change to be wrought
in so lew weeks. His greeting was fried-
ly polite, and hers pal tIculary genial and
kind. The dinner was soon served, and
lena shuddcred as she glanced round the
long, dark. unfurni>hed room, seen last
brilliantly lighted and decorated and filled
with sprighIly guests, and before whom
groan, a lG ble covered with every luxury
the season ctforded and money could buy.
Wha, a contrast! Now all the gorgeous
hangings, furniture, pictures, silver, glass
and lights were gone, and in their place
stood in the empty room = small oeai Ia,
BILE bearing two covers ana one olSn Of
meat. With all his old grace OF manner
Frederick led Lena to the table ano took
his place opposite her. The meal was n
silent one, for Frederick was abstracted,
and Lena so nearly overcome by every
thing around her that she could scarcely
repreSs her tears. AS they rose from the
table the Count said:
4 am sorry, madame, to offer you SO
poor repast ; but
Don't speak Of it, count hastily inter-
rupted Lena, affecting a gaiety she was
far from feeling. 1T was charming-so
new; and never tasted more delicious
chicken
Il arm happy to find that have pleased
you, said Frederick; but allow me, in all
difference to your taste, to correct one
miStake-the bird you have partakcn Of
was not chicken, but my falcon
Your pet falcon ? said Lena, in affect
ed aStonishment.
The same, madame, he replied.
Frederick = she exclaimed and the
tone in which his name was uttered caUs.
cd Frederick to start. lie was dumb with
surprise when he saw the naughty Lena
burst into tears but before he could re-
cover his possession, Lena stood be-
fore him erect and pale.
Frederick, to-day we part forever, said
She. and before we do So, must obtain
your forgiveness. You have always treat
I'd me with rc>po CT and love, and IL have
repaid your devotion with coldncsS and
scorn. Will you forgive me?'
Most certainly coldlv answered Fred.
erick, making great effort TO subdue the
passion her unwonted genteneSs had rOus-
ed. 1 loved you. and probably, by my
unceasing devotion, wearied you. lnced
cd a lesson, and | have learned. II.
could not expect one who did not love me
to -
Stop here and listen to me, said Lena;
and if my confession, made in this hour,
secU,s unmaidcnly, let my excuse be that
it is the only rrparation in my power. |
am wealthy-the wealthiest woman in all
Gcrmany-as it is said. Fl, III my child
hood | have feared 10 be loved for my
wealth, and with my earnest nature
know a marriage without love would be
death. People whom counted my warm,
since, re friends, told me that my riches
were all you cared fm--ihat you laviShcd
your comparatively little wealth upon me
only the more surely to gain possession Of
my princrly fortune. did not believe
them. but | wished to try you. In my
! cautiouSnesS ! went too far, too far for
have lost what value more than life
your love!'
Lena, Lena, be careful' said the young
man.
4 am past caring for anything now she
replied. TO morrow leave for England
; never to return. could not go without
asking you to forgive me. without telling
you as the only b lin can offer, that if
made you suffer. suffered also. and per
} haps more acutely; for | was called heart
less. cold, unprIncipled, by the only being
ever loved in this world, that | -
She could say no more, for she was
claSped in eager arms and covered with
! passionate kisses. A few minutes she lay
there, then freed herself, all bushing anc
fearful, from her lovers embrace. A mo
ment she left the room, then returned
bearing basket which she gave to Fred
crick. On opening it his falcon flew out
) Resting her beautiful head on Frederick
shoulder, she said:
) Take me, dear Frederick. yield my
self to you, overcome by your love aat
unSetiSh devotion-actualy brought t
hand by your FALCON
: About the time that Napoleon had ut
tanned the zenith Of his military glory.
ccctiOn of hic army nuarfprnd in Paris