Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-09-14
THE FALCON.
AN oLD-T1ME LOVE STORY

AN OAD- ~ - -
The fine cid mansion Of the Alber-
CHI family, near Gluckstadt, was bril-
liantly lighted and the sound Of music
aud dancing was borne on the evening
air across tile rolling. sparkling waters
of the Elbe. That night grand hail
was given by Count Frederick Alber-
ghi, the only remaining representative
of the noble family whose name he
bore. The building was massive stone,
high and dark, protected by moat,
draWbrldge AMI battlemented towers.
1t was fine old feudal castle, built in
the time of Frederick III. Outside it
looked grand and gloomy; inside it was
abba with lights and redolent with
the perfume of choice flowers which
w,re scattered in profus.on, not only
about the large reception saloon, but
in all the smaller apartments which
were thrown open to the guests.
In little room far removed from
the rest, in the eastern tower, stood
two pnrsJns-a Aung man, remark
ably handsome, thgcgh there was an ex-
preston of deep care upon his face,
and lady. The lady was not remark
ably handsome just now, as she listened
to her companion with dropping eyes;
indeed, most people would call her SIM
ply pretty till She raised her expressive
dark blue eyes, and the brilliant, sylph-
like smile broke over her face. The
two were standing tllhing clrelessly
together, the lady leaning against the
heavily-carved oaken window frame,
and the young man standing nearly
opposite her, caressing a bright-eyed
falcon perchel upon his wrist
$50, Count Alberghi, you will be re-
membered for a long while as the
young noble who gave the most splen-
did ball as yet ever attended" The
lips of the young man curled, and he
answered contemptuously:
That is surely a name worth gain
ing at any price
"Of course" said the lady. "But
why so scornful about it?"
You know, Lady Lena, that care
only for your approbation then the
ball is given onlyin honor an to pleas Q
you. whose slightest wish i would
crafty at any expense"
"Alas, Count Alberghi, l am told
that dozen time each day"
Probably; but the words do not
come from the heart as mine do"
"Pooh'' said the lady. "They all
swear thatl'
" Very well, Lady Lena; may some
time be able to prove the truth Of my
words. | have been fool. For three
years 1 have hung upon your accent
fulfilled your every wish, as far as lay
in my power. My fortune-which was
ample laid at your feet, that you
might have every possible want sup
piled; and in return for this devotion
| have received nothing but coldness
and sCorn. You know that l love you
as few men love-with my whole heart
and soul-and yet YOU scorn me. You
are rich and noble. | still love YOU as
ever, but tonight is the last time |
bow bef, re you. This once I plead,
Lady Lena, TO e shown some kindnes
For the lust time | offer you myself.
Will you accept me?"
Lady Lena turned very pale as she
listened to the rapid, passionate words
uttered by the young man who knelt
be ore her. Her eyes grew dark with
some inward feeling but her words
destroyed the faint hope which had
risen in his heart at the gentle ex-
preston on her face.
"Ch, rise. Count Frederick, for |
know TIL s is all nonsense-instantly
Tomorrow you will be beside me, as
usual and the next and every day, just
as you have been for years. The
young man rose and, in answer to her
taunt. only bent his head and Uenderly
str ked the glossy head and neck OF the
bri ht-eyed bird on his wrist, that
looked from one to another, as if in
quir ng What was going on. Piqued
at his silence the lady exclaimed
Where now is your boaste love2
l say bitter thing to you, and you do
not retaliate."
81 cannot forget myself so far as to
retaliate upon woman"
"No," said she, "but you can sneer.
You sneer and stroke your falcon,
which l know poss s;es more of your
bOasted love than | dc"
"Jeannette never wounds me-" he
replied. "In return for my caresses
she does not give me tier coldness. +"
"Perhaps she would if she could
speak" persisted the lady.
factions, LAZY Lena" said he,
"speak louder than words" The girls
eyes flashed, and she turned to the door,
but paused as she near, d it, and, look
ing over her shoulder, said, ontemptu-
ously:
"I suppose the cause of your love
for that bird is because she once be
longed to some former lady loye?'
Tie tone was very insulting, and this
time the young man raised his head
with flashing eyes, and his words were
rapid and indignant.
"You are right" hereplied. "This
falcon belonged to noble lady, who
kind, womanly heart scorned to inhict
a wound upon the INT anest creature
who trampled not under foot honor
able love offered her. as if it We're a
thing. One whom loved
devotedly, and who, had she been
unable to return the affection offered
her, would yet have rejected it with
consid rate gentleness.'
"Why, tlen, don't you return to
this paragon of tenderness and yirtue?'
sneared the lady.
"She would willingly soothe my
wounded spirit" he replied, !" but she
is dead" Without another word Lena
sped from the room, her brain on fire,
her eyes full of t. ars. Could Fred
erick have seen her as she, leaning far
out of a window, weeping bitterly,
he would have forgiven the bitter
W rds. AS it was they parted in
anger.
Left alone, Frederick paced up and