Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-09-29
,oaned a table covered with every luxury

proaned table covered with every luxury
the season afforded and money could buy.
What contrast Now all the gorgeous
hangings, furniture, pictures, silver, glass
and lights were gone, and in their place
stood IN the empty room 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 oppo.
site her. The meal was silent one, for
Frederick was distracted, and Lena 30
nearly overcome by everything around her
that she could scarcely repress her tears
As they rose from the table the Count said /:
81 am sorry, madame, to offer you SO
poor a repast, but"
Don't speak of it, Count" hastily in
terrupted Lena, affecting gayety she was
far from feeling. st was charming-so
new and never tasted more delicious
chicken"
81 am happy TO find that have pleased
you" said Frederick but allow me, in
all Difference to your taste, to correct one
mistake-the bird you have partaken of
was not chicken, but my falcon"
Your pet falcon p said Lena, in at.
fected astonishment.
| "The same, madame" he replied.
Frederick p 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 OBJ
tain your forgiveness. You have always
treated me with respect and love, and Il
have repaid your devotion with GOODNESS
and scorn. VIII you forgive me p
Most certainly" celdly answered Fred
erick, making great effort to subdue the
reused. 81 loved you, and, probably by
unceasing devotion, wearied you. NEEDED
lesson, and 1 have earned it. could
not expect one who did not love me to
"Stop there and listen to me, said
Lena, " and if my confession, made in this
hour, seems unmaidenly, let my excuse be
that it was the only reparation in my pow
er. l am wealthy-the wealthiest wonar
in all Germany-as it is said. From my
childhood have feared to be loved for my
wealth, and, with my earnest nature,
know that q marriage without love would
be death. People whom l counted my
warm, sincere friends told me that my
riches were all you cared for-that yor
lavished your comparative little wealth
upon me, only the more surely to gair
possession of my princely fortune. l die
not believe them, but wished to try you
In my cautiousness l went too far, too far
for have lost what l valued more thar
life-your love !"
elena, Lena, be CAREFUL" said tht
young man.
81 am past care for anything now" sh'
replied. "To morrow leave for England
never to return. l could not go without
asking you to forgive me without tellinl
you, as the only balm can offer, that if
made you suffer suffered also, and per
haps more acutely, for l was called heart
ess, cold, unprinoipled, by the only being
1 ever loved in the world, that /" She
could say no more, for she was clasped il
eager arms and covered with passionate
kisses. A few minutes she lay there, ther
freed herself, all blushing and fearful, from
her lovers embrace. A moment she left
the room, then returned, bearing a basket
which che gave to Frederick. On open
ing it his falcon flew out. Resting hel
beautiful head on Frederick's shoulder
she said, "Take me, dear Frederick.
yield myself to You, overcome by your
love and unselfsh devotion - actually
brought to hand by your falcon"