The Mineral argus., 1883-10-25
AN OLD.TIME LOVE STORY.

N1 RAfAh 1IAA
the Eibe. That night a grand ball was
10 be given by Count Frederic Of ALDER
Obi, the only remaining representative
of the noble family whose name he bore.
The building was massive stone, high
and dark, protected by moEl ,drawbridge
aud battle towers. II was a fine old feu-
dial castle, built in the time of Frederick
III. lOuiside IL looked grand nd.gloomy;
inside it was ablaze with lights and redo
lent with perfumes 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 two per
sons-a young man, remarkably hand
some, though there was an expression of
deep care upon his face, and a lady. The
lady was not remarkably handsome just
now las she listened 10 her champion with
dropping eyes; indeed, most people
would call her simply pretty until she
raised her expressive, dark blue eyes
and the brilliant, sylph.like suII!s broke
over her face. The two we're standing
talking carelessly together, the lady
leaning against the heavily-carved oaken
window frame, and the young man
standing nearly opposite to her, caress-
ing a frightened falcon perched upon
his wrist.
$50, Count Alberghi, YOU will be re-
membered for a long while as the young
noble who gave the most splendid ball
as vet ever attended" The lips Of the
young maj eurled, and Ia Unanswered con-
temptuOusly:
THAT is surely a name worth gaining
at any price"
"Of course, said the lady. "But why
So scOrnml about itp"
"Nou know, Lady Lena, that | care
only for our appreciation, then the bali
is given Only in honor and to please YOU,
whose slightest wish l would crafty at
amy expense"
ALAS, Count Alberghis am told that
a dozen times each day"
Probably but the words do not come
nom the heart, as mine do"
Pooh, laid the lady. They all swear
that.
Very well, Lady Lena; | may some
time be able 20 prove the truth of my
words. l have been u fool. For three !
years l have hung upon your accent, fpl- 5
hlled your every wish, as far as lay in
my power. NV fortune-which was am {
Wv a Jaw o. NNAA hAH VIA Nhl AllEuL I y
have every possible want supplied; and s
IN return for this devotion | have re-
ceiyed nothing but GOODNESS and scorn.
You know hat | love you as few men I
love-with my whole heart and soul {
yet you scOrn me-. You are rich aud /
noble. | still love you As madly as ever. :
but tonight IS the last time | bow be- I
fore you. This once l plead, Lady Lena, {
to be shown some kindness. For the {
Last HHHNn AHN.T n.HH VaWra.NN MaN 49,. I
accept me'"
Lady lena turned very pale as she
listened to the rapid, passionate words I
uttered by the young man who knelt
before her. tier eyes grew dark with
some inward feeling, but her words de- ]
stroyed the faint hope which had risen q
IN his heart at the gene expression on ,
her face. ]
"Oh, rise, Count f. .srick-for I
know this is all nOnsense-instantlv. To- 1
morrow you Will be beside me as usual. l
and the next, and every day, Just as YOU !
have for years The young man rose. d
and in answer 10 her taunt, only bent
his head and tenderly stroked the '
glossy head and neck of the bright-eved Y
bird on his wrist, and looked from one y
20 the other, as if inquiring what was I
goingon. Piqued at his silence, thelady =
exclaimed: q
Where now is your boasted love? u
say a bitter thing 10 you and you do not 9
retallate" Z
81 cannot forget myself 50 far as to re- l.
talliate 10 a woman"
mo-" said she, "but YOU can sheer. q.
! GU can sneer and stroke your falcon. y
which l know possesses more OF your T"
boosted love than l do" d,
~"Jennett never wounds me, he re- 1
piled. In return for my caresses She =
does not give me bitter GOODNESS" .
Perhaps she would if she could l'
speak, " persisted the lady.
Actions, Lady Lena, said be. speak u
than words" tS
The girls eyes flashed, and she turned IA
70 the door. but paused as she neared
T. and, looking over her shoulder, said :
'ontemptuOusly: Il suppose the cause al
81 your love for that bird is because she
)nce belonged to some former lady love" Dl
The ton was very insulting, and this %
the young a raised bis bead
mn flashing eyes, and his words were %
apid and indignant. a.
lou are right, he replied. 'This "
belonged 10 a noble lady. whose e
,tnd, wOmanly heart scorned to iuAirt a n
upon the meanest creature; who n
faInpled not under loot honorable love %
luered her, as II Il were A disgracefnl "a
hing- One whom l loved deVotedlv "
Who, bad she been unable 10 rsturn 81
be affection offered her, would have "
eleStedu With considerable gentleness7
Why, then, don't you return TO this an
Of tenderness and yirtue?" =,
.neered the lady. NJ
she would willingly soothe nv
so1nded spirit, be replied, but she is
Without another word Lena sped m
ON the room, her brain on IRE, her tu