The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-10-20

"Out upon youi' said Margaret. "You
are as heartless as your mistress. Go
back to her and tell her that she is vel
come. hope the bird may stick IN her
throat and choke her, unfeeling woman
that she isT'
"Oh, don't take on so, Margaret? T am
sorry your master Is SO poor. but he will
offer my lady dish valuable for its rari-
ty, for warrant me she has never tasted
roasted falcon before"
Margaret's only answer was to throw
herself into her chair and sob. The dis
guished Lena approached her.
Don't feel SO sad, but tell me why
should Count Frederick care SO much
for the poor bird?"
ssDon't you know that? Why, it be-
longed to his blessed mother who is now
an angel in heaven"
"Well, I didn't know that, and it is
real shame to roast the bird, and if
you will keep it secret I'll help you.
Give me the bird and I'll take it home
and send you another in return. Your
masters 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, who gave it to the false Susan,
who went off with it.
Punotually to the minute came Lady
| Lena, and never had she looked more
lovely, or been dressed with more ele-
gance and taste. Margaret, with sui
| len air, ushered her into the dinning
room, where Frederick came forward to
meet her. He was struck with her fresh,
| winning appearance-a bitter change to
be wrought in 50 few weeks. His greet
| ing was frigidly polite. and hers partio-
| ular1y genial and kind.
The dinner was soon served and Lena
| shuddered as she glanced around the
long, dark, nnfurnished room, seen last
brilliantly lighted and decorated and
filed with sprightly guests, and before
whom groaned table loaded with every
luxury the season could afford and that
money could buy! Now all the gor-
geous hangings, furniture. pictures,
silver, glass and lights were gone, and
in their place stood in the empty room q
small deal table bearing two covers and
one dish of meat With all his grace Of
manner Frederick led Lena to the table
and took his place opposite her. The
meal was silent one, for Frederick was
abstracted and Lena nearly overcome by
everything around her that she could
scarcely repress her tears. As they rose
from the table the count said:
ST am sorry, madame, to offer you 80
poor a repast, but"
Don't speak of it, COUNT hastily in
terrupted Lena, affecting q gayety she
was far from feeling. cit was charming
so new; and I never tasted more
delicious chicken
"I am happy to find that have pleased
you," said Frederick; ''but allow me in
Difference to your taste, to correct one
mistake-the bird you have partsken of
was not chicken, but my falcon"
"Your pet falcon!" said Lena In affect
ed astonishment.
1.-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 he saw the naughty
Lena burst into tears, but before he
could recover his self-possession Lena
, stood before him erect and pale.
Frederick, to-day we part forever,
said she. ''and before we do SO must
I obtain your forgiveness. You have al
ways treated me with respect and love
: and II have repaid your devotion with
. coldness and scorn. Will you forgive
= me?"
"Most certainly" coldly answered
Frederick, making great effort to sub
. due the passion her unwonted gentle
ness had reused. ST loved you. and
) probably by unceasing devotion, wearied
you. I needed lesson, and have
r earned it. I could not expect one who
! did not love me to"
: "Stop there and listen to me" said
t Lena, ''and if my confession, made il
. this hour, seems unmaidenly, let my
! excuse be that it was the only repara-
tion in my power. am wealthy--ths
wealthiest woman in all Germany-as i
Q is said. From my childhood I have
I feared to be loved for my wealth, and
with my earnest nature. I know that &
marriage without love would be death
People whom counted my warm, sin
cere friends told me that my riches were
all you cared for--that you 1avished
your comparative little wealth upon me
I only the more surely to gain possession
of my princely fortune. did not be
, lieve them, but I wished to try you. Ir
, my cautiousness I went too far, too far
: for have lost what valued more thar
/ life--your lover
"Lena, Lena, be carefulr" said the
| young man.
! 81 am past care for anything now,
! she replied. Tomorrow leave fol
England, never to return. I could moi
, go 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 acutely
: for I was called heartless, cold, un
principled, by the only being ever
loved in the world. that L" Sh~ could
! say no more, for she was clasped if
, eager arms and covered with impassion
ate kisses. A few minutes she lay there
then freed herself, all blushing and tear
full, from her lovers embrace. A mo
ment she left the room, and then re-
turned, bearing basket, which she gave
{ to Frederick. On opening it his falcon
, flew out. Resting her beautiful head or
Frederick's shoulder, she said, ''Take
me, dear Frederick. yield myself tc
you. overcome by your love and unset
fish devotion-actually brought to hand
by your falcon"
UNnUGKY.-The unluckiest man in
Georgia lives in White county. In at
tempting to cross the river in q bateau il
capsized and threw him into the water.
Trying to reach the boat again, his foot
caught in Bnag, and wrenched it, los
| ;pp at tho same time a 200 watch his hat