The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-09-20

Stil taxing tomorrow,
stiIl wasting to-day,
Whilst angels in sorrow
Dropped tears on his way.
Charles S,vatas.
THE FALCON.
AN oLD-TIfE LOVE STORY.
The fine cid mansion of the Alber
CHI family, near Gluekstadt, was bril-
iantly lighted and the sound OF music
Snd dancing was bcrne- on the evening
air across the rolling, sparkling waters
of the EIbe: That night a grand bal
was given by Count Frederick Alber
CHI, the only remaining representative
of the noble family whose name he
bore. The building was massive stone
high and dark, protected by moat
dfawBtidge and battlementei towers
It was fine old feudal castle, built in
the time of Frederick II. Outside il
looked grand and gloemy;; inside itwas
ablaze with lights and redolent with
the perfume OF choice flowers 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 a little room far removed from
the rest, in the eastern tower, stood
TIVE persons-a young man, remark,
ably handsome, though there was an ex.
preston of deep care upon his face,
and a lady. The lady was not remark
ably handsome just now, as she listened
to her companion with dropping eyes;
indeed, most people would call her sim.
ply pretty till she raised her expressive
dark blue eyes, and the brilliant, sylph-
like smile broke over her face. The
two were standing talking carelessly
together, the lady leaning against the
heayiIy-carYed oaken window frame,
and the young man standing nearly
opposite her, caressing bright-eyed
falcon perched upon his wrist.
$50, Count Alberghi, you will be re-
membered for q long while as the
young noble who gave the most splen.
did bah as yet ever attended" The
lips Of the young man curled, and he
answered contemptuously:
That is surely a name worth gain
ing at any price,"
a OF course" said the lady, "But
why so scornful about it ?"
You know, Lady Lena, that ]. care
only for your rotation; then the
ball is given onlyin honor and to please
you, whose slightest wish I would
crafty at any expense"
'Alas, Count Alberghi: i am told
that dozen time, each dayl"
Probably; but the words do not
come from the heart as mine do.
Pooh = said the lady. .. They all
ssiasar thatl ls--'.7-- 8:
6 Very well, Lady Lena; Imay some
time be able to prove The truth Of my
words. ] have been afooi. For three
years I have hung upon your accent,
fulfilled your every wish, as far as lay
in my power. My fortune which was
ample-I laid at your feet, that you
might have every possible want sup
Piled: and in return for this devotion
j have received nothing but coldness
and storn. You know that / love you
as few men love-with my wloae heart
and soul-and yet you scorn me. You
ere rich and noble. / still love you as
ever, but tonight is the last time 1
bow before you. This once I plead,
Lady Lena, 70 lie shown some kindnes'.
For the last time I offer you myself.
Will you accept me?'"
Lady Lena turned very pale as she
listened to the rapid, passionate words
uttered by the young man who knelt
before her. Her eyes grew dark with
some inward feeling. but her words
destroyed the faint hope which had
risen in his heart at the gentle ex-
preston on her face.
"Ch, rise. Count Frederick, for I
know ths is all nonsense-instantly.
Tomorrow you will be beside me, as
usual, and the next and every day, just
as you have been for years" The
Young man rose and, in answer to her
taunt, only bent his head and tenderly
stroked the glossy head and neck of the
brieht-eyed bird on his wrist, that
looked from one to another, as if in
curing " hat was going on. Piqued
at his silence the lady exclaimed:
{, "Where now is your boaSte love?
I say a bitter thing to you, and you do
not retaliate."
ST cannot forget myself so far as to
fetaliate upon woman"
"No," said she, but you can sneer.
You sneer and stroke your falcon,
which I know posst sses more OF your
boasted love than do"
"Jeannette never wounds me-" Re
replied. SIN return for my caresses
she does not give me bitter coldness."
"Perhaps she. would if she could
speak," persisted the lady.
factions, LAZY Lena" said he,
"speak louder than words" The girls
eyes flashed, and she turned to the door,
but paused as she reared it, and, look
ing over her shoulder, said, { ontemptu-
ously:
III 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 raised his head
with flashing eyes, and his words were
rapid and indignant.
"You are right" he replied. "This
falcon belonged to noble lady, who e
kind, womanIy heart scorned to inhict
a wound upon the meanest creature !;
who trampled not under foot honor
able love offered her, as if 1t were a
disgracefll thing. One whom I loved
devotedly, and who, had she been
unable to return the affection offered
her, would yet have rejected it with
considtrate gentleness."
"Why, then, don't you return to
this paragon Of tenderness and virtue"
sneered the lady.
"She would willingly soothe my
wounded spirit" he replied, "but she
is dead" Without another word Lena
sped from the room, her brain on fire,
her eyes full of tears. Gould Fred.
erick have seen her as she. leaning far
out of window, weeping bitterly,
he would have forgiven the bitter
words. AS it was they parted in