The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-12-28

iresn, winning appearance, Dl.iel
change to be wrought In 50 few weeks
His greeting was frigidly polite. and
hers particularly genial and kind.
The dinner was soon served, and
Lena shuddered as she glanced around
the long, dark, unfurnished room. seen
last brilliantly lighted and decorated
and filled with sprightly guests. aud be.
fore whom groaned q table covered with
every luxury the season afforded and
money could buy. What q contrast.
Now all the gorgeous hangings, furni.
ture, pictures, silver, glass and lights
were gone. and in their places stood in
the empty room q small deal table,
bearing two covers and one dish OF meat.
With all his old grace of manner Fred
erick led Lena to the table and took his
place opposite To her. The meal was a
silent one, for Frederick was distracted,
and Lena 50 overcome by everything
around her that she could scarcely re-
press her tears. A. they arose from the
e. -iie Count said:
Lag sorry, madame, to offer YOU sd
cf past, but"
y speak OF it. Count" hastily
iHt' ted Lena, affecting q gayety she
was from feeling. ut was charming
IS r sw; and | never tasted more
90 ous chicken
~. am happy to find that have
pleased you. said Frederick; ..but AL
low ME in all Difference to your tase. 10
correct one mistake-the bird you have
partaken OF was not chicken but my fall
con-"
Your pet fa!con?' said Lena. in At
fectCd astOnishmenf.
1.-The same. madame" he replied.
Frederick" she exclaimed. aud the
tone in which his name was uttered
canscd Frederick to start. He was dumb
with surprise when he SAW The naughty
Lena burst into tears. but before he
could recover his self-pOSscSsion Lena
stood before him erect aud pale.
'.Frederick. to-day Wa part forever"
said She, land before "" 10 SO must
obtain your forgiveness. You have al
ways treated me- with respect anil love.
and II have repaid your devotion
with coilness and srnrn. Will YOU for.
give me?'
'.Most certainly" coldly answered
Frederick. making great effort to sun
due the passiGa her unwun;ed gentle
ness had reused. ii loved you. and
probably by my unreasing devni.oa
wearicd YOU. needed 4 lesson. AMI |
nave learned it. could not expect ons
who did not love me TO-
Stop there and listen 10 me- said
Lena. land ii my confession. made in
this hour. seems nnmaidenlv H.. INV rx-
ci'Sc he t'iat il is lite only PREPARATION in
nv power. am weaiihy--Ihe wealth.
lest woman in all Germany, il j. Saii.
From my childhood have feared Ia ba
loved for nv wealth. and with nv
earnest nature ] knew tina! q marriage
without love wGui,t he death People
whom counted ms warm. sinctr.,
friends Told me that my ricaes were nj
you cared for-that YOU Iavi,he your
comparatively little wealth upon me
only the more surely to gain possession
OF my prncely fortune. did not Ire
lieVc them, bui wished to try YOU. In !
my cautiousnesS l went 100 far. 100 far; |
for have los, what valued more than !
life-yOur love.
''Lena. Lena. he careful said the j
young man.
Il am past care Tor anytii;n~ now.
she replied. "IO.mnrr0w ] leave for !
England, never 10 return. could not |
go without aSkin" YOU 10 forgive me;
without telling you. ~ the oniy balm can
offer. that ii made You suffer sutiere |!
also. ami perhaps more acutcly, for |
was called hearileSS. co!,i. unprinciple,i.
by the only beng ever loved in the
world. that l."
she could say no more for she w.s
c'asped in eager arms and covered with
pasSiOnat" kisses. 4 few minutes she
lay there. then freed herself. al, blush
Ing and fearful. from her lovers EN-
brace. A moment she left the r00,u.
then returned, bearing basket which
she gave To Frederick. On opcuingit his
falcon flew ont. Resting her beautiful
hca'. on Frederick $ shoulder she said:
Take me-. dear Frederick. Weld
myself to you. overcome by your love
and unseltish devotion, actually brought
10 hand by Your falcon