St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-03-03
THE FALCON.

THE FALCON. 9 ea9b3.. j. !.
- ES3:t t><..-H* r{4&it ;f..Ez .
I The fine old mansion Of the sAlberxhi
family, near Gluckstadt, was brilliantly
lighted, and the sound of music and dane.
\ ing was borne on the evening air across he
rolling, sparkling waters Of the Elbe.-
That night grand ball was given by Coun,
Frederick Alberghi, the emily remaining rep.
resentative Of the noble family whose name
he bore. .''S ,5f5 s**'As*: 80 10 4ssetf,
The building was massive stone, hiel
and dark, protected BY xnoa., drawbridee
and battlemented towers; ii was 4 fine old
feudal castle, built in the time Of Frederick
4 Outside il looked gloomy and grand
inside insid it was ablaze with lights and redo
lent with Ne perfume Of choice flowers
which were scattered in profusion, not on.
" about the large reception saloon. but IN
all the smaller apartmcnts which were
thrown open to the gucste.3 .,t,..,:.,A,
In a little room far removed frum the
rest, in the eastern tower, stood, two per.
'ons-a young man, remarkably handsome
though there was an expression of deer
care upon his face, and = lady. The lady
was not remarkably handsome. jnst nov
as she listened TO her companion with
8 a'Eeeopeiag r, eyes, and brilliant, sylph.like
smile 5roke;oe~>her dase. Tho two ver.
standing talking careieafy ,iokstkaz. ,tbs
lady leaning against the heavily carved
soaken window7fr"me, and the young man
standing nearly opposite her, ,carsssipg, ).
bright eyed falcon :perched upon hi nr,st.
$50, Count Alberghi. you will be remen.
bered for along while as the young noble
who gave the most splendid ball as>yet cv,
er attended, =. 7.
The lips Of the young man ourled, aud
he .7aswersa contenptuously, THAT is GER
:'ais1y a name worth gaining at any price. .
tAOf course said tn lady, ..but Why So
| scornful about it ?" '',;'.
~. "1pu know, Lady Lena, that care only
for your. appreciation that the ball Is Civ
zen, only in honor Of and to please you,
whose. slightest wish would crafty o, any
expense" :: -; :: ~. -,
"Alas' Count Alberghi, I am told ;;ahc: .
dozen times each day ..
Probably. but the words do not como
fromthe heart, as mine do" ..~
"Pooh ~ said the lady; '.thcy all swear
that. :" a... 4. =
'well, Lndy Lena, 4 may sometime Be
able to prove the truth Of my words. l
ha.e been fool. For three years have
hung upon your accents, fulfilled your, ev-
(,ery wish, as far as lay in my power. My
fortune, which was ample, laid at your
| feet that yon might have every possible
want supplied; and 10 return for this de-
vo'ion I have received nothing but ccldness
and: scorn. You know that love you as
Few men love-wi,h my whole heart and
soul-and yet you ecern me. You are rich
and noble; still love you as madly as ev-
er, but tonight is the last time bow be-
sor> yet. This once 1:plcad Lady Lena, to
be shown some Kindness For the last time
l offer myself. WILL you accept me :"
Lady Lena turned very pale as SHE lis
tened to the rapid, passionate words utter
ed by the yonpg man who knelt before her
Her eyes grew dark with some inward feel,
ing, but her words destroyed the faint hope
which Ina Ina risen in his heart at the gentle
expression on her face..r rl.., .5.-;-
I, "Oh, rise, Count Frederick, for know
this is all nonsense, insanity. Tomorrow
you will be beside ne as usual, and tue
next, spd every dsy, just as you have been
for years. u" a. ,..''
The young man rose, and in answer 10
her tat,nt, only bent his head and tenderly
stroked the glossy head and neck of the
bright eyed bird on HI. wrist, That looked
from one to another, as inquiring what was
going on. yr.... s...... -. ...7'',. 49,: 49,,
Piqued at his silence, the lady exclaimed
''Where now is your boasted love / SAY :
bitter thing to you and you do not retail
ste." .zaGs55aa4 .5ssaassts. sts.are,f *F p
F II cannot forget myself 50 far AZ to re-
taliate to woman" saE - gf,.,.s,.
''No," said she, .'but you can snser.-
You sneer and stroke your falcon, which
know possesses more Of your boosted love
than do.'' ,t@ssssS@sa sg,s s7fstso ,s. sa.,S.
".Jeannette. never wounds me-" he re.
piled. " tn ,:etarn for ny caresses she does
not not give ine bittg cpldpess,'
":rsrh.p. she rould i ii. could speak, !"
persisted tho lady. ,@,,sst .,.... s, ...5 ~ :.
sa''A:tions, Lady Lena said. hs, "speak
louder than words" %I f,sa. =.
The The girls eyes flashed. and .he ,tprned
70 the s6or, bit paused Is she ineared ii and
looking over yer shoulder. said, contemnpt-
uou'ly' u suppose the cause Of your love
Tor that bird j. because she once belonged
t TO % some former lady love"