The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-01-23

U ClOCk.
A spasm passed over the young
mans face and he murmured
Once more
Then turning to Margaret, he
said:
! What is there in the house to
eat?'
| AS good as nothing. sir, replied
the faithful woman, for there is only
the scraps left from your breakfast.
That's bad, Margaret said he;
'fdr have no money, not single
kreutzer, and here is a note from
Lady Lena informing me that she
will dine with me to-day
She musn I come, dear sir There
is nothing to give her.
Frederick seemed lost in thought
suddenly he raised bis head.
i have it now said he. You
must serve up my poor Jeanette
here. 1t is all | can do
'Oh, master! What2 Roast this
poor bird you have loved so long,
and which belonged To-
Hush, Margaret, not another
word, only do as bid you. Serve
the bird up as best you can. Have
the table laid for two in the old din
ing room have it ready precisely at
five. When the lady arrives sum
mon me, and serve dinner immedi-
ately.'
Margaret dared not demonstrate,
but sobbing and wringing her hands
she went dswn stairs. Lena had
waited her comiug with intense anx
iety, and when Margaret entered in
such distress of mind she sprang up.
What is the matter, Margaret ?
Has anything happened to your
master?'
Deed there has : wofully answer
ed Margaret.
'What?' said Lena. Speak, wo-
man =
'Oh, only he's gone clean dement,
e6. You bring note from your
naughty mistress, who ought to be
drowned in the Elbe, for she always
makes trouble for my dear 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 now flashed
into the eyes of the false waiting wo
man, and she asked :
How SOP
Why, you see. Mistress Susan,
your lady is coming to dine with
him, and there is nothing in the
house, neither victuals, nor even a
-kreutzer, so he has ordered the falcon
to be roasted for your wicked lady's
dinner
Il have no doub. it will make cap
ital eating, laughed the girl.
Out upon you said Margaret.
You are as heartless as your mis-
tress. Go back to her and tell her
that she is welcome / hope the bird
will stick In her throat and choke
her, unfeeling woman that she is
oh, don't take on so, Margaret. |
am sorry your master is so poor, but
he will offer my lady a dish valua-
ble for its rarity, for | warrant you
she has never tasted roast falcon be-
fore
Margaret's only answer was to
throw herself into her chair and sob.
The disguised Lady Lena approach
ed her.
Don't feel so sad, but tell lie why
should Count Frederick care so much
for the bird p
Don't you know that? Why, it
belonged to his blessed mother, VINO
is now an angel in heaven
Tears filled Lena's eyes as she
said:
Well, | didn't know that, and it
is real shame to roast the bird, and
if you will keep it secret Ill help
YOU. Give me the bird and I'll take
it home and send you another in re-
turn. Your master will be none the
wiser.
Margaret'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 look
ed more lovely, or been dressed with
so much elegance or taste. Margaret,
with sullen air, ushered her into
the dining rom, where Frederick !
came forward to meet her. He was
struck with her fresh, winning ap
pearance-a bitter change to be
wrought in so few weeks. His greet !
ing was frigidly polite, and hers par
ticularly genial and kind.
The dinner was soon served, and |
Lena shuddered as she glanced |
around the long dark, unfinished |
room, seen last brilliantly lighted |
and decorated, and filled with |
sprightly guest, and before whom
groaned table covered with every /
luxury the season afforded and
money could by. What contrast.
Now all the gorgeous hanging., fur
niture, 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 ofmeat. With all his old
grace of manner, Frederick led Lena
to the table and took his place oppo-
site her. The meal was silent one,
for Frederick was distracted, and
Lena so nearly overcome by every
thing around her tina. she could
scarcely repress her tears. AS they
rose from the table the count said
i am sorry, madam, to offer you so
poor repast. but
Don't speak of it, count hastily
Lena, affecting a gayety
she was far from feeling. 1t was
charming-so new; and | never
tasted more delicious chicken
i am happy to find that | have
pleased you,' said Frederick, but
allow me in all Difference to your
taste, to correct one mistake-the
bird YOU have partaken of was not