The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-09-29

forming me that she will dine with me
o-day."
she mustn't come. dear sir. There
is nothing to give her.
Frederick seemed los, in thought
suddenly he raised his head.
have il nox." said he. "Nou must
serve up my poor Jeanette here. !, IS all
I can do
"Oh. master. What. roas, his poor
bird you have loved 50 long. and which
belonged to"
Hush. Margaret. no, another word.
only do a. bid you. Serve the bird up
as bes, you can. Have the table LAID tor
two in the old d,ning-room have il
ready precisely a, 1--WE. When the lady
arrives summon me. and serve dinner
Immediately. shall be IN my chamber.
:, TO which shall now retire.
Margare, dared not demonstrate, but.
sobbing and ~rnging her hands. went
down stairs. Lena had waited her COM
ing with intense anxiety. and when Mar
gare, entered in such distress OF mind
she spran2 up.
"Wha, Is the matter, Margaret Has
ANYTHING happened 20 your master
Deed there has :" ~oetully answered
Margaret.
What = SAID Lena speak. NO
man
oh. only he's gone clean demen,ed
( You bring note from your naughty
+ mistress. who ought to be drowned IN
the Elbe, for she always makes trouble
for my poor young master, one OF whose
+ fingers is worth more than all her 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 flashed into the
eyes OF the false waiting woman. and she
asked = How so:"
why. you see. Mistress Susan. your
lady IS coming to dine With h,m, and
there Is nothing in the house. neither
victuals, nor even a kreutfeT. So he has
ordered the falcon to be roasted for your
wicked lady's DINNER
:" I've no doub, II will make capital
eating" laughed the girl
"ou, upon you. said Margaret
"You are as heartless as your mistress
Go back TO her and tell her that she Is
welcome. | hope tha, the bird may sack
IN her throa, and choke her, unieellng
woman that she IS
oh, don't take on so. Margaret.
am sorry that your master Is 81 peor
but he will offer my lady dish valuable
for It's rarity : for warrant me she has
never tasted roast falcon before
Margare,'s only answer was to throw
herself into her chair and sob. The dis.
guised Lena approached her.
Don't feel so sad But tell me why
should Count Frederick care So much toi
the poor bnd,s
Don't you know that Why. II be-
longed to his blessed mother. who Is now
an angel in heaven
Tears filled Lena eyes. and she said
"Well. didn't know that. and /, IS a
real shame to roast the bird. and II you
will keep II a secret I'll help you. GIVE
me the bird and I'll take /, home and
send you another in return. Your master
will be none the wiser"
Margare,'s face lighted up. and
earnestly thanking the girl. she left the
closely hooded. which she gave 10 the
false Susan, who went off with IT,
punc,ual to the minute came Lady
Lena, and never had she looked more
lovely or been dressed with so much ele-
gancc and taste. Margaret. with sullen
air, ushered her into the dining room.
where Frederick came forward to receive
her. He was struck with her fresh. win
ming appearance. and she with his pale
haggard sppearAnce-a bitter caange to
be wrough, IN so few weeks. His greet
ing was frigidly polite, and hers particu-
larly genial and kind.
The dinner was soon served, and Lena
shuddered as she glanced round the long.
dark. unfinished room. seen last bril-
liantly lighted and decorated and filled
with sprightly guests, and before whom
groaned table covered with every lux
ury 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 a
small deal table bearing two covers and
one dish OF meat. With all his old grace
OF manner. Frederick led Lena 20 the
table and took his place opposite her
The meal was a silent one. for Frederick
was abstrAt ted, and Lena so nearly over
come by everything around her tina; she
could scarcely repress her tears. Ashley
rose from the table the coun, sad a." am
sorry, madame. TO offer you 30 poor a re-
pas, but
Don, speak of It, Count" hastily m
,errup,ed Lena. affecting gaye,y she
was far from feeling 1, ~as charming
so new and | never tasted more de-
hcious chicken.
am happy to ind that have pleased
you" SAID fredefl. +" bai allow me IN
all Difference 20 your taste. 10 correct one
mistake bird you have paraken Of
was not chicken but my falcon"
Your pet falcon = said Lena. IN al
feeted astonishment
The same, madame, he replied
Frederick she CT -laimed, and the
tone IN which his name was uttered
caused Frederick to start. He was dumb
with surprise when he sac the naughty
Lena burst into tears: but before he
could recover his self-possession Lena