The Mineral argus., 1883-10-25

/ Sic ~.
ooh, don't take on 30, Margaret. Is
am sorry your master is so poor, but he
will offer my lady "A dish valuable for its
rarity, for / warrant me she never tasted
roast falcon BEFORE" Ma;garet's ONLY
answer was to throw herself into a chair
and sob. The disguised Lena approached
her.
Don't feel so sad, but tell me why
should Count Frederick care so much
for the poor bird?"
Don't you know that2 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 a
real shame to roast the bird, and if o
will keep IL a secret I'll 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" 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 Su-
san, who went off with it.
Punctual TO the minute came Lady Le-
ma, and never had she looked more love-
ly or been dressed with so much ele-
gance and taste. Margaret, with a sui
len air, ushsred her into the dining
room, where Frederick came forward
TO meet her. He was struck with her
fresh. winning 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 Le-
ma shuddered as she glanced around
the long, dark, unfinished room, seen
last brilliantly lighted and decorated,
filled with sprightlyly guests, and be-
fore whom groaneda table covered with
every luxury tine season aflor ed and
money could buy. What a contrast.
Now all gorgeous %hanginIs, furniture,
pictures, silver, glass and lights were
gone, n in their places stood in the
empty room a 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 to her. The meal was a silent
one, lor Frederick was distracted, and
Lena so overcome by everything around
her that she could scarcely repress her
tears. As they arose from the table the
count said:
Il am sorry. madam, to offer you so
a Iopast, but"
Don't speak of it, Count" hastily in
tcrrupted Lena, affecting a CAVITY she
was far from feeling. 1T was charm
new; | never tasted a more de-
liciOus chicken"
81 am happy TO find that l have
pleased you y said friedrich; "but al
low me, in all Difference to your taste, to
correct one mistake-the biri YOU have
partaken Of was not hicken, but INV
falcon"
your pet falcou?" said Lena, in at
iected establishment.
The same, madame" he replied.
Frederick, she exclaimed, and the
tone IN which his name was uttered
caused Frederick to start. He was
dumb with surprise when re saw the
naughty Lena burst into tears, and be-
I)re he could recover his self possession
stood before him erect and pale.
Frederick, to-day we part forever"
sald she, "and before We do so l must
obtain your forgiveness. You have al
ways treated me with respect and love,
anu IL have repaid your devotion with
'oldness and scorn. viii you forgive
ne?'
Most certainly" coldly answered
frederick, making a great effort to sub.
lue the passion her unwonted gentle
lad reused. Il loved YOU, and prob
IDLY by my unceasing devotion wearied
| needed a lesson, and | have
earned 1t. could not expect II who
I'D not love me To-"
stop there aud listen TO me-" said
lena, "and If my confession made i'm [
ms hour, seems, uumaidenly letmv ey- /
use be that II is the only reparati6n in {
ny power. am wealth y-the Wealth.
II woman ~ al Germany. as it is said.
rom my childhood | have feared to be
owed for my wealth, and with my earn.
st nature | know that a marriage with q
ut love would be death. People whom
counted my warm, sincere friends told
that my riches were all that Won
AIRED for-that you lavished your COM 4
ardiively little Wealthupon me only the
surely % gain possession of my I
fortune. l did not believe them.
ut wished 10 try YOU. In my cautious :
ess went too far, too far; for | have lost q
nat l have valued more than life
our love-"
LENA. Lena, be careful" said the e
man. 4
Il am past care for anything now" n
replied. Tomorrow l leave for 4
10 return. / could not q
o without asking you 10 forgive me:
lthout telling you, as the only balm | q
an oder, that II i made you suder I suf- a
red also, and perhaps more acutelv, i
| was called heartiess. cold. unprin- :
piled, by the only being l ever lovei in :
he world, that =" She could saw :
D more, for she was clasped in eager =
rms and covered with passionate kiss =
A few minutes she lay there, then
eed herself, all b.ushing and fearful
her lovers embrace. A moment -,
he left the room. then returned, bear =,
a basket, which she gave TO Fr eder-
K. On opening IL his falcon few out.
esting her beautiful head on Freder- nj
shoulder, she said: Take me, n
ear Frederick. 1 yield myself to you,
'ercOme by your love and unselfsh de- ~
'uon-actually brought to nand by n