Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-09-29

ana IN El1S SunalI, BiOOHll Town euppOIb IuJ
poverty and despair as best l may.
bAve been worse than foolish-I have been
wicked. But this unmanly repining viii
not do. 1 must rejoin my guests.
So saying, Frederick replaced the falcon
on his perch near the window, and, forcing
gay smile and careless air, ssuntered into
the ball room, and from that time till the
company left he was seemingly the gayest
OF the gay.
"Qaiok, Susan, fasten this bodice and
bring me my hood and mantle and the
thick shoes" exclaimed Lady Lena; then
added, impatiently, you'll have to pin
this handkerchief and apron string for my
hands tremble so l cannot do anything"
Toe maid obeyed, and soon her young
mistress stood before the elegant mirror,
laughing to see herself in complete peas
ants attire.
"Will anybody know me, Susan?" she
asked, laughingly, as she drew the hood
over her face.
mo, indeed, Lady Lena" replied the
maid 81 if L hadn't seen you dress 1 should
not know you myself.
"Then l am off,"
And, suiting the action to the word, the
graceful Lady Lena ran out of the room
and down stairs in very undignifed way.
In the garden she was met by lover of
Susan's, who exclaimed
Pears to me we are in a monstrous
hurry, Mistress Susan. Can't you stop to
give fellow noontide kiss?"
Away with you! J" she exclaimed.
"You shall have two kisses when 1 come
back. if you won't stop me now"
Good bargain, Susan" said he. II
have not much to do, and will wait by the
gate till you come back"
Away sped Lena. After a pretty long,
rapid walk she reached Castle Alberghi,
and, entering by low postern door which
she found open, made her way so the door
of the tower, where she saw old Margaret
seated.
Good noon, Dame Margaret" said
Lena. The old woman raised her head
and, recognizing Susan, Lady Lenas favor
tie waiting maid, she returned very sulky
greeting.
Don't be cross, Margaret" she con-
tinued. 1--WE got a beautiful note for
your young master from my lady"
"You needn't come here witn it, then, y
said Dame Margaret. Your lady's notes
have brought sorrow enough to this
house"
But, Margaret, I was sent to deliver
it and receive an answer, and dare not 60
back without it; it would cost me my
place, and you wouldn't be as cruel as that
to poor girl who has never done you any
harm" Here Lena began to sob, and
Margaret rose saying:
You have never done me any harm, so
give me the note and let me take it up
stairs quickly" The note was produced,
and Margaret grumblingly took it up stairs,
muttering as she did so, much good,
much good it will do my poor young mas.
ter. 1t isn't sealed very closely, and if
could read it 1 would open it, and then if
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
sitting 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 perfumed note. A moment he
paused, overcome by his feelings, then i'm
pstuously tore it open and read the follow
ing words
LADY Lena Erfurt, being about to visit
England for several years, desires to have
the pleasure of meeting once more her
friend, Count Frederick Alberghi, who has
so mysteriously withdrawn himself from
society. she will do herself the honor of
dining with him this day at o'clock" A
spasm passed over the young mans face
and he murmured, "0nce more" Then,
turning to Margaret, he said "What Is
there in the house to eat %
AS good as nothing, sir" replied the
faithful womsn, for there is only the
scraps left from your breakfast"
That's bad, Margaret" said he; for
| have no money not single kreutzer 4;
and here is a note from Lady Lena inform
ing me that she will dine with me to-day"
She mustn't come, dear sir There is
nothing to give her"
Frederick seemed lost in thought. Sud-
denly he raised his head.
81 have it now, said he. "You must
serve up my poor Jeanette here. IL is
all can do.
"Oh, MASTER What, roast this poor
bird you have loved 30 long, and which be.
longed to"
"Hush, Margaret-not another word ;
only do as l bid you. Serve the bird up
as best YOU can. Have the table laid for
two in the old dining.rOom have it ready
precisely at 5. When the lady arrives
summon me, and serve dinner immediately.
/ shall be in my chamber, to which shall
now retire"
Margaret dared not demonstrate, but,
sobbing aud wringing her hands, she went
down stairs. Lena had waited he- coming
with intense anxiety, and when Margaret
entered ia such distress of mind she sprang
up.
What is the matter, Margaret? Has
anything happened to your master %
"'Deed there has" wOefully answered
Margaret.
What" said Lena. "Speak, woman p
"On, only he's gone clean demented.
You bring note from your naughty mis-
tress, who ought to be drowned in the
Elbe, for she always makes trouble for my
dear young master, Que of whose fingers is
worth more than all her body /; made him
waste all his fortune, so that now he is az
poor as Job, and now makes him kill his
beautiful falcon" A triumphant smile now
flashed into the eyes of the false waiting
maid, and she asked, How so ?"
"Why, you see, Mistress Susan, your
lady is coming to dine with him, and there
is nothing in the house, neither victuals
nor even 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.
"0ut upon you !" said Margaret. " You
are as heaItless as your mistress. Go back
to her and tell her that she is welcome. l
hope the bird may stick in her throat and
choke her, unfeeling woman that she is u
sob, don't take on so, Margaret ! am
sorry your master is so poor, but he will
offer my lady dish valuable for its rarity,
for l warrant me she has never tasted
roast falcon before" Margaret's only an
swer was To throw herself into her chair
and sob. The disguised Lena approached
her.
"Don't feel SO sad, but tell me why
ahouid Count Eraderick cara On uuoh for