Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-09-14

y
who ought to be drowned in
the Elbe, for She always makes trou-
ble for my dear young master, one OF
whose fingers is worth more than all
her body; made him wa te all his for
tune, So that now he is ds poor as Job.
and now makes him kill his beautiful
falcon " A triumphant smile now
flashed into the eyes of the false wait
ing-woman, and She asked, How SOP
Why you see, Mistress Susan. your
ly is coming t. dine with him, and
there is nothing in the house, neither
Nlctuals, nor even a kreutzer. so he
has ordered the ia con to be roasted
for your wicked lldy's dinuer."
l have no doubt It viii make capi-
tai eating laughed the girl.
"Out upon you" said Margaret.
You are as heartless as your mis-
tress. Go lack to her and tell her
That She is welcome | hope the bird
may stick in her throat and choke her,
unleeling woman that she is /"
"Oh don't take on SO, Margaret. /
am sorry Your master is SO poor, but
hc VIII offer my Ia ly dish valuable
. Tor Is rarity for | warrant me she
/ has never tasted roast falcon before"
/ MWgarets only answ T was to throw
herself into her chair and sob. The
disguised Lena approached her.
" Don't feel So sad, but tell me why
| should Count Frederick care so much
for tie poor brl?'
Don't You know that? Why, it
belonged to hi blessed mother, who is
now an angel in Ii ayen" Tears filled
Lena's eyes, and she said:
Well, didn't know that, and it is
a real shame to roast the bird, and If
you will keep it a secret I'll help you.
Give me the bird and Iii take it home
and send you another In return. Your
master will be none the wiser Mar
garet's face lighted up and earnestly
thanking the girl she left the room
and soon returned with the falcon
closely hooded, which she gave to the
| false Susan, who went off with it.
Punctual to the minute came Lady
Lena, and never had she looked more
lovely or been dressed with 50 much
elegance or taste. Margaret, with a
sullen air, ushered her into the dining
room, where Frederick came forward
to meet her. He was struck with her
fresh, winning appearance-a bitter
change to he wrought in 50 few weeks.
His greeting was frigidly polite, and
hers particularly genial and kind.
The dinner was soon served, and
Lena shuddered as she glanced round
the long, dark, unfurnished room, seen
last brilliantly lighted and decorated
and filled with sprightly guests, and
before whom groaned table covered
with every luxury the season afforded
and money could buy. What a con-
trast Now all the gorgeous hang
ings, furniture, pictures, silver, glass
and lights were gone, and in their
place stood in the empty room small
deal table bearing two covers and one
dish Of meat. With all his old grace
of manner. Frederick led Lena to the
table and took his place opposite her.
The meal was a silent one, for Fred
erick was distracted, and Lena so
nearly overcome by everything around
her that she could scarcely repress her
tears As they rose from the table the
count sud: Il am sorry, madame, to
offer you 50 poor 4 repast; but"
Don't speak of it, count, hastily
interrupted Lena, affecting gayety
She was far from feeling. "It was
charming so new and never tasted
a more delicious chicken"
al am happy to find that | have
pleased you" said Frederick; but
allow me- in all Difference toyour taste,
! to correct one mist ake-the bird you
have partaken Of was not chicken, but
my falcon"
"Your pet falcon?' said Lena, in
/ affected astonishment
/ "The same, madame" he replied.
Frederick p she exclaimed, and
the tone in which his name was ut
i tered caused Frederick to start. He
was dumb with surprise when he saw
the naughty Lena burst into tears,
/ but before he could recover his self
/ possession Lena stood before him erect
and pale.
"Fredericl, to-day we must part
forever, said She, "and before we do
so | must obtain your forgiveness.
/ You have always treated me with re-
spcct and love, and II have repaid
your devotion with oOldness and
scorn. VIII you forgive me?'
" Most &c tainly," coldly answered
Frederick, making great effort to
suhdue the passion her unwonted gen
tleness had roused "Iloyed you, and
probably by Iay unceas ng devotion
wearied YOU | needed lesson, and |
have learned it. | could not expect
one who did not love me to"
"Stop there and listen to me" said
Lena land if my confession made in
this hour seems unmaidenly, let my
excuse he that it is the only repair
alton in my power. | am wealthy
the wealthiest woman in all Ger
many-a5 it is said. From my child
hood ] have feared to be loved for my
wealth, and, with my earnest nature, |
know that a marriage without
love would be death. People
whom [ counted my warm, sincere
friends told me that my riches were all
YOU cared for-that you lavished your
Comparatively little wealth upon me,
only the more surely to gain possession
of a princely fortune. L did not be-
Iieve them, but | wished to try you.
In my cautousness | went too far. too
far: for | have lost what l valued
more than life-your love !"
Lena Lena, be careful 2 sail the
young man.
81 am past care for anything now"
she replteI. "To-morrOw l leave for
England. never to return. l could 60
without asking you to forgive me;
without telling you, as the only balm
[ can offer, that if made you suffer |
suffered also, and perhaps more acute
", for l was called heartless, cold, un-
principlel, by the only being | ever
loved in the world; that I" She
could say no more, for she was clasped
in eager arms and covered with pas
sionate kisses. A few minutes she lay