The Northern Pacific farmer., 1883-09-27

SOD, anu NaISaIot oIOoos oayAAk'
"You have never done me any harm,
up stairs quickly" The note was pro-
duced, and Margaret grumblingly took
it up stars, mutterlng 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 I would
open it, and then it 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 old woman entered
and asked what she wanted.
"A note for you, SIR" she replied.
The young mans face turned shade
paler, and his hand slightly trembled as
he took the delicate perfu'Bed 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
drawn himself from society. She will
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
have no money, not single kreutzer,
and here is note from Lady Lena in
to day."
She mustn't come, dear sir. There is
nothing to give her." Frederick SCENE
lost in thought, Suddenly, he raised
his head.
Il have it now'' said he. You must
all can do.">
ooh, master! What, roast this poor
bird you have loved so long. and which
belongedyto-"
flush, Margaret; not another word;
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,dy precisely at S. When the lady ar
rives summon me, and serve dinner i'm
mediately. I shall be in my chamber,
to which I shall now retire." Margaret
dared not demonstrate, but sObbing and
wringing her hands, she went down
stairs. Lena had waited her coming
with intense anxiety.
whats 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 note from yonr naughty
mistress, who ought to be drowned in
the Elbe, for she always makes trouble
for INV 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"
A triumphant smile now flashed into
the eyes of the false waiting g~woman, and
she asked, "How so7'
"Why, you see. Mistress Susan, your
lady is coming to dine with him, and
there is nothing in the house, neither
victuals, nor even a kreutzer. so he has
ordered the falcon to be roasted for
your wicked lady's dinner"
81 have no doubt it will make capital
eating,' laughed the girl.
"Out upon you," said Margaret. "You
are. as heartless as your, mistress. Go
back 10 her and tell her she ls welcome.
l hope the bird may stick in her throat
and choke her. unfeeling woman that
she is."
ooh, don't take on so, Margaret. Is
am sorry your master is so poor, but he
will offer my lady dish valuable for its
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 that? Why, it be-
]ongcd to his blessed mother, who is
now an angel in heaven" Tears filled
Lena's eyes, and she said:
swell, l didn't know that, and it is q
real shame to roast the bird, and if you
will keep it 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-
na, and never had she looked more love-
ly or been dressed with 80 much ele-
gance and taste. Margaret, with 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 to be wrought in SO few weeks.
His greeting Was frigidly polite, and hers
rta RI Ia r1v uo io1 orI bind
The dinner was soon served, and Le-
ma shuddered as she glanced around
the long. dark, unfurnished room, seen
last brilliantly lighted and decorated,
filed with spriehtlyly guests, and be-
fore whom groaned table covered with
every luxury the season aHOr led and
money could buy. w hat a contrast.
Now all gorgeous hangings, furniture,
pictures, silver, glass and lights were
gone, and in their places stood in the
empty room 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, Ior 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
poor a 1epast, but"
Don't speak of it, Count" hastily in
terrupted Lena, affectins q: CAVITY she
was far from feeling. "It was CHARM
ing-so new; I.never tasted anore de-
licious chicken"
II am happy to find; that !; I have
low me; in all Difference to your taste, to
correct one mistake-the bird you have
partaken of was not hicken, but my
falcon .:.-
"Your pet falcon?" said Lena, in af-
fected astonishment.
"The same, madame" he replied.
"Frederick," she exclaimed, and the
tone in which bis name was uttered
caused Frederick to start. He was
dumb with surprise when Re saw the
naughty Lena burst into tears, and 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
ways treated me with respect and love,
and IL have repaid your devotion with
co!dness and scorn. Will you forgive
me?'
"Most certainly" coldly answered
Frederick, making a great effort to SUBJ
due the passion her unwonted gentle
had reused. II loved you, and prob
ably by my unceasing devotion wearied
YOU. l needed lesson, and / have
learned it: I could not expect one who
did not love me to-"
stop there aud listen to me-" said
Lena, land if my confession made in
this hour, seems, unmaidenly let my ex-