River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-09-27

IN stairs quickly" The note was pro-
duced, and Margaret grumblingly took
IL M STAIRS. mutterIng as she did so.
"Much good, much good it will do my
poor Young master. 1t isn't sealed very
closely and If / could read it / would
open It, and then il there was anything
In it to wrong him, I'd sooner put my
hand in the fire than give it to him.
BY this time she had reached the second
story and knocked at the door
"COme in" said Frederick, who was
seated by the window reading. He
looked up as the cid woman entered
and asked what she wanted.
"a note for you, SIR" she replied.
The young mans face turned a shade
paler, and his hand slightly trembled as
he took the delicate perfured note. a
moment he paused, overcome by his
feelings, then impetuously tore it open
and read the following words:
Lady Lena Erfert, being about to
visit England for several years, desires
to have the pleasure of meeting once
more her friend Count Frederick Al
berPhi, who has so mysteriously with.
drawn himself from society. She viii
do erself the honor of dining with him
this day at O'Clock"
a spasm passed over the young mans
face and he mumured, "Once more,
Then turning to Margaret, he said:
"What is there in the house to eat?'
"As good as nothing. sir" replied the
faithful woman, "for there is only scraps
left from your breakfast"
That's bad, Margaret" said he, ''for
i have no money. not single kreutZer,
and here is note from Lady Lena in
forming me that she will dine with me
to day"
She mustn't come, dear sir. There is
nothing to give her" Frederick SCENE
lost i'll thought. Suddenly, he raised
his head.
q have it now" said he. You must
serve up my poor Jeanette here. Il is
all can do"
ooh, master! What, roast this poor
bird you have loved so long. and which
belonged to"
flush, Margaret; not another word J;
only do as | bid you. Serve the bird up
as best you can. Have the table laid for
two in the old dining room, having it
re idy precisely at B. When the lady ar
rives summon me, and serve dinner i'm
mediately. | shall be in my chamber,
to which | shall now retire" Marga ct
dared not demonstrate, but sobbing and
wrlngiug her hands, she went down
stairs. Lena had waited her coming
with intense anxiety.
What's the matter, Margaret? Has
anything happened to your master?'
Deed there has" woefully answered
Margaret.
WHAT" said Lena. "Speak, woman"
'Oh, only he's gone clean demented.
You bring a note from your naughty
mistress, who ought TO be drowned in
the Elbe, for she always makes trouble
for my dear young master, one of whose
fingers is worth more than her whole
body; made him waste all his fortune,
SO that now he is as poor as Job and
now makes him kill his beautiful falcon"
4 triumphant smile now flashed into
the eyes of the false waiting woman, and
she asked, How SOP"
why, you see. Mistress Susan, your
lady is coming 10 dine with him, and
there Is nothing in the house, neither
yIctuals, nor even kreutzer. SO he has
ordered the falcon to be roasted for
your wicked lady's dinner"
81 have no doubt il will make capital
eating laughed tie girl.
'Out upon you," said Margaret. you
are as heartleSs as your, mistress. Go
! nope the bird may stick in her throat
and ch.k lie her. uufeellns woman that
she is"
ooh, don't take on so, Margaret. Is
am sorry your master Is 50 poor. but he
will offer my lady dish valuable for its
rarity, for ! warrant me she never tasted
roast falcon befole," Ma;garets 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 50 much
for the poor bird?"
Don't you know that? Why, it be-
Ionged to his blessed mother, who is
now an angel in heaven" Tears filled
Lena's eyes. and she said:
"Well, | didn't know that, and it is a
real shame to roast the bird, and If you
will keep il q 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 10 the false SUI
san, who went off with it.
Punctual to the minute came Lady Le-
ma, and never had she looked more love-
" or been dressed with 50 much ele-
gance and taste. Margaret, with a sui
len air, ushered her into the dining
room, where Frederick came forward
to meet her. He was struck with her
fresh, winning appearance, bitter
change 20 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,
filed with spriehtlyly guests, and be-
fore whom groaned a table covered with
every luxury the season atfor ed and
money could buy. What contrast.
Now all gorgeous hanglngs, furniture,
pictures, silver, glass and lights were
gone and in their places stood N 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 silent
one, .or 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:
81 am sorry, madam, to offer you so
poor a Iepast, but"
Don't speak it, Count" hastily in
terrup,ed Lena, affecting CAVITY she
was far from feeling. cit was charm
ing-so new; ! never tasted a more de-
licIous chicken"
Il am happy to find that l have
pleased you" said Friedrich; 'but al
low me, in all Difference to your taste, to
correct one mistake-the bir1 YOU have
partaken of was not ,hicken, but my
falcon"
"Your pet faIcon?" said Lena, in at
fecteu 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 lie saw the
naughty Lena burst into tears, ard be-
fore he could recover his self-possession
Lena stood before him erect and pale.
Frederick, to-day we part forever
said she, land before we DO so | must
| obtain your forgiveness. You have al
ways treated me with respect and love,
and IL have repaid your devotion with
| GOODNESS and scorn. Will you forgive
me?'
Most certainly" coldly answered
| Frederick, making great effort TO sub
| due the passion her unwonted gentle
| had rnTsed. Il loved YOU, and prob
| ably by my unceasing devotion wearied
| rou. | needed lesson, and / have
learned it. could not expect one who
! did not love me to"
stop there aud listen to me-" said
! Lena, 'and # my con- ession made IN
| his hour. seems, unmaidenly let my ely.
uuse be that it is the only reparati0n il
my power. am wealthy-the wealth.
est woman in ali GERMANY. as it is said