The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-09-20
aOh :! don't take on SO. Margaret.

! .Oh! don't take on so, Margaret.
am sorry your master is so poor, but
he will offer my lady a dish valuable
for its rarity, for / warrant me she
has never tasted roast falcon before"
Margaret's only answer was to throw
herself into her chair and sob. The
disguised Lena approached her.
"Don't feel so sad, but tell me why
should Count Frederick care so much
for the poor bird?"
"Don't you know that? Why, it
belonged to his blessed mother, who is
now an angel in heaven" Tears tlea
Lena's eyes, and she said:
"Wel, I didn't know that, and it is
a real shame to roast the bird, and II
you viii keep it secret I'll help you.
Give me the bird and I'll take it home
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 room
and soon returned with the falcon
closely hooded, which she gave to the
false Susan, who went off with it.
Punctual to the minute came Lady
Lena, and never had she looked more
lovely or been dressed wish 80 much
elegance or taste. Margaret, with a
sullen air, ushered her into the dining
room, where Frederick came forward
to meet her. He was struck with her
fresh, winning appearances bitter
change to be wroughtin so few weeks.
His greeting was frigidly polite, and
hers particularly genial and kind.
The dinner was soon served, and
Lena shuddered as she glanced round
the long. dark, unfurnished room, seen
last brilliantly lighted and decorated
and filed with sprightly guests, and
before whom groaned table covered
with every luxury the season afforded
and money could buy. What q con-
trastl Now all the gorgeous hang
ings, 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 to the
table and took his place opposite her.
The meal was silent one, for Fred
erick was distracted, and Lena 80
nearly overcome by everything around
her that she could scarcely repress her
tears. As they rose from the table the
count said: "I am sorry, madame, to
offer you so poor a repast; but"
"Don't speak Of it., count" hastily
interrupted Lena, affecting a gayety
she was far from feeling. "It was
charming so new and 1 never tasted
more delicious chicken"
"I am happy to find that I have
pleased YOU" said Frederick; "but
allow me. in all Difference toyour taste,
to correct one mistake-the bird you
have partaken Of was not chicken, but
my falcon"
"Your pet falcon?" said Lena, in
affected astonishment.
"The same, madame" he replied.
"Frederick r. she exclaimed, and
the tone in which his name was ut.
tered caused Frederick to start. He
was dumb with surprise when he saw
the naughty Lena burst into tears,
but before he could recover his SELF
possession Lena stood before him erect
and pale.
"Frederick, to-day we must part
forever" said she, "and before we do
so 7 must obtain your forgiveness.
You have always treated me with re-
spect and love, and II have repaid
your devotion with coldness and
scorn. Will you forgive nep"
"Most certainly" coldly answered
Frederick, making a great effort to
subdue the passion her unWonted gen
tleness had reused. "Iloved you, and
probably by my unceasng devotion
wearied you. Ineeded lesson, and I
have learned it. could not expect
one who did not love me to
"Stop there and listen to me" said
Lena, "and if my confession made in
this hour seems unmaidenly, let my
excuse be that it is the only repair
alton in my power. I am wealthy
the wealthiest woman in all Ger
many-as it is said. From my child
hood T have feared to be loved for my
wealth, and, with my earnest nature,
know that marriage without
love would be death. People
whom I counted my warm, sincere
friends told me that my riches were all
you cared for-that you lavished your
comparatively little wealth upon me,
only the more surely to gain possession
of a princely fortune. I did not be-
lieYe them, but wished to try you.
In my cautiousness 1 went too far, too
far; for T have lost what valued
more than life-yOur love"
LENA, Lena, be careful y said the
young man.
"I am past care for anything now"
she repltel. Tomorrow I leave for
England, never to return. could 60
without asking you to forgive me;
without telling you. as the only balm
can offer, that if T made you suffer
suffered also, and perhaps more acute
ly, for was called heartless, cold, un-
principlel, by tie only being I ever
loved in the worlI; that l." She
could say no more, for she was clasped
in eager arms and covered with pas
sionate kisses A few minutes shelay |
there, then freed herself, all blushing
an fearful, from her lovers embrace.
A moment she left the room, then re-
turne.l, bearing basket, which she
gave to Frederick. On opening it his
falcon flew out. Resting her beautiful
head on Frederick's shoulder she sail:
"Take me, dear Frederick. yield
myself to you, overcome Ivy your love
and unselfish devotion - actually
brought to hand by your falcon"