The Mineral argus., 1883-12-13

is.
"Oh, don't take on 80, Margaret. u
am sorry your MASTER is 80 poor, but he
will offer my lady a dish valuable for its
rarity, for / warrant me she never tasted
roast falcon BEFORE" Mafgaret's ONLY
answer was 10 throw herself into a chair
and sob. The disguised Lenaapproached
her.
"Don't feel 80 sad, but tell me why
should Count Frederick care so much
for the poor bird2"
"Donit YOU know that2 Why, it be-
longed 10 his blessed mother, who is
now an angel In heaven" Tears filled
Lena's eyes. and she said:
''Well, / didn't know that, and i ia a
real shame to roast the bird, mt II you
will keep IL a secret I'll help you. Give
me the bird and I'll take II bone and
send you another In return. Your
master will be none the wiser" Mar
garet's face lighted up and earnestly
thanking the girl she left the oom aud
soon returned with the falcon, closely
hooded, which she gave 10 the false Su-
san, who went off with It.
Punctual 10 the minute came Lady Le-
IA, and never had she looked more love-
ly or been dressed with 40 much ele-
gance and taste. Margaret, with a sui
len air, ushsred her into the dining
room, where Frederick came forward
to meet her. lie was struck with her
fresh, winning appearance, a bitter
change TO be wrought in so few weeks.
His greeting was frigidly polite, and hers
particularly genial ana kind.
The dinner was soon served, and Le-
ma shuddered as she glanced around
the long. dark. unfurnished room, seen
last brilliantly LIGHTED and decorated,
filed with spriehtlyly guests, and be-
fore whom groaned table covered with
every luxury the season atfor ed and
money could buy. What a contrast.
Now all gorgeous hangings, furniture,
pictures, silver, glass and lights were
gone, and in their places stood in he
empty room a snail deal table, bearing
two covers and one dish of meat. With
all his old grace of name Frederick
led Lena to the table and took his place
opposite to her. The meal was a silent
one, or Frederick was distracted, and
Lena 80 overcome by everything arOund
her that she could scarcely repress her
tears. As they arose from the table h
count said:
81 am sorry, madam, to offer you 50
poor u Iepast, but"
Don't speak of il, Count" hastily in
terrupted Lena, affecting a CAVITY she
was far from feeling. 1T was charm
ing-sO new; | never tasted a more de-
liciOus chicken"
IL am happy to find that l have
pleased YOU said Friedrich; ''but al
low me, in all Difference 20 your taste, to
correct one mistake-the bir1 YOU have
%partaken of was not hicken, but my
falcon"
"Your pet falconP" said Lena, in at
fecteu astOnishment.
The same, madame" be replied.
Frederick" she exclaimed, and the
tone in which his name was uttered
caused Frederick TO start. He was
dumb with surprise when Re saw the
naughty Lena burst into tears, and be-
fore 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 l must
obtain your forgiveness. Nou have al
WAYS treated me with respect and love,
and IL have repaid your devotion with
GOODNESS and scorn. Will You forgive
meY'
"Most certainly" coldly answered
Frederick, making a great effort TO sub
due he passion her unwonted GENTLE
had reused. Il loved you. and prob
ably by my unceasing devotion wearied
Tou. | needed a lesson, and / have
learned 1t. l could not expect n who
did not love me To-"
stop there aud listen TO me-" said
Lena, and If my confession made in
this hour, seems, unmaidenly letmy ex-
cuse be that il is the only reparstion in
my power. ] am wtalthy-the Wealth.
est woman in ali Germany. as 10 is said.
From my childhood l have feared to be
loved for my wealth. and with my earn.
est nature | know that a marriage with
out love would be death. People whom
lcOunted my warm, sincere friends told
me that my riches were all that YOU
cared for-that you lavished your COM
paratively little wealthupon me only the
more surely TO gain possession Of my
princely fortune. l did not believe them,
but | wished to try YOU. In my cautious
ness [ VENT too far, too far; for l have lost
what l have valued more than life
your love-"
LENA. Lena, be careful" said the
young man.
I'll am past care for anything now"
she replied. Tomorrow / leave for
England never 10 return. 1 could not
20 without asking YOU 10 forgive me
without telling Won, as the only balm |
can oder, that II / made YOU suffer I suf-
fered also, and perhaps more acutely,
for / was called heartless. cold. unprin-
cipled, hy the only being / everloyed in
the world, that Il" She could say
no more. for she was clasped in eager
arms and covered with passionate kiss
es. A few minutes she lay there, then
freed herself, all b.ushing and fearful
fr0m her lovers embrace. A moment
she LEFT tine room. then returned, bear
ing a basket, which she gave 10 Fir eder-
lex. On opening il his falcon flew out.
Resting her beautiful head on Freder-
ick's shoulder, she said: Take me,
dear Frederick. yield myself TO you,
overcome by your love and unselish de-
vOtion-actually brought to nand by
- f.lunu