The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-09-15

Ql0nef.
I've no doubt it will make capital eat
ing!'' laughed the girl.
tOut upon you!' said Margaret. "You
are as heartless as your mistress. Go back
to her and tell her that she is welcome.
[ hope the bird may stick in her throat and
choke her, unfeeling woman that she is y
ooh! don't take on so, Margaret. L
am sorry your master is so poor, but he
will offer my lady dish valuable for its
rarity; for | warrant me she has never
tasted roast falcon before"
Margarets only answer was to throw
herself into her chair and sob. The dis
guised Lena approached her.
"Dont feel so sad. But tell me why
should Count Frederick care so much for
the poor bird?
"Don't you know that? Why, it be-
longed to his blessed mother, who is now
an angel in Heaven"
Tears filed Lena's eyes, and she said
"Well. [ didn't know that, and it Is
real shame to roast the bird, and if you will
keep it a secret I'll help you. Give me the
another in return. Your master will be
bird and I'll take it home and send you
none the wiser"
Margaret's face lighted up, and earnestly
thanking the girl, she left the room and
soon returned with the falcon, closely hood
ed, 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 so much elegance and
taste. Margaret, with sullen air, ushered
her into the dining room, where Frederick
came forward to receive her. He was
struck with her fresh, winning appearance,
and she with his pale, haggard appearance
"a bitter change to be wrought in so 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, unfinished room, seen last brilliant
" lighted and decorated and filled with
sprightly guests, and before whom groaned
a table covered with every luxury the sea-
son afforded and money could buy. What
contrast 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 bear
ing two covers and one dish of meat. With
all his old grace of manner, Frederick led
Lena to the table and took his place oppo-
site her. The meal was a silent one, for
Frederick was abstracted, and Lena so
nearly overcome by everything around her
that She could scarcely repress her tears.
As they rose from the table the count said,
Il am sorry, madame, to offer you so poor
a repast; but
don't speak of it, count, hastily inter
rupted Lena, affecting a gayety she was
far from feeling. at was so charming
so new: and [ never tasted more delicious
chicken
II am happy to find that [ have pleased
you," said Frederick, "but allow me, in all
Difference to your taste, to correct one mis-
take-the bird you have partaken of was
not chicken, but my falcon"
"Your pet falcon p said Lena, in affected
astonishment.
sThe same, madame" he replied.
"Frederick p she exclaimed, and the
tone in which his name was uttered caused
Frederick to start He was dumb with
surprise when he saw the naughty Lena
burst into tears; but before he could re-
cover his self f-possession, Lena stood before
him erect and pale.
''Frederick, to-day we part forever" said
she, "and before we do SO, | must obtain
your forgiveness. You have always treated
me with respect and love, and II have
repaid your devotion with coldness and
scorn. Will you forgive me-"
'Most certainly" coldly answered Fred
crick, making great effort to subdue the
passion her unwonted gentleness had reused.
II loved you, and probably, by my uneeas-
ing devotion, wearied you. [ needed a
lesson, and have learned it. could not
expect one who did not love me to"
"Stop there and listen to me" said
Lena; ''and if my confession, made in this
hour, seems unmaidenly, let my excuse be
that it is the only reparation in my power.
I am wealthy-the wealthiest woman in all
Germany-as it is said. From my child
hood I have feared to be loved for my
wealth, and with my earnest nature | know
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 my
princely fortune. [ did not believe them,
but wished to try you. In my cautious
ness 1 went too far, too far; for [ have lost
what | value more than life-your love J.
elena, Lena, be careful p said the young
man.
II am past caring for anything now, she
replied. Tomorrow I leave for England,
never to return I could not 60 without
telling you, of the only balm l can offer,
that if l made you suffer, [ suffered also,
and perhaps more acutely; for | was called
heartless, cold, unprincipled, by the only
being I ever loved in this world, that L"
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 blushing and
fearful from her lovers embrace. A mo-
ment she left the room, then returned,
bearing basket, which she gave to Fred
erick. On opening it his falcon few out.
Resting her beautiful head on Frederick S
shoulder she said, 'Take me, dear Fred
erick I yield myself to you, overcome
by your love and unselfsh devotion, ac-
tually brought to hand by your falcon"
A QUEER TREE-The queerest of trees
must be the baobab or monkey bread. 1t
Il Il q g. I(I,,A S4o