Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-11

shall be prompt
Suppose call here in the morning
for YOU" suggested the visitor.
i should be pleased to have you do
So the ganmaker said and thus it was
arranged.
Onthe following morning Ruric was {
I'D be,mes, and al the breakfast table
not a word ofthe one all-absorbing theme
was uttered. After the meal was fin
ished the gunmaker went out to his shop,
and took down from one of the closets a
long Ieathern case. in which were two |
swords. They were Toledo blades, and |
+ of most exquisite Workmanship and I'M
tisb. Ruric took out the heaviest one,
which was a two-edged weapon, with
cross hilt of heavily gilded metal. lie
placed the point upon the floor, and then'
with all his weight he bent the blade till
the pommel touched the point The
1.-THE steel sprang back to its place with
, sharp clang, and the texture was not
5 started Then he struck the fiat OF the
r blade upon the anvil with great force.
The ring was sharp and clear, and the
weapon remained unframed.
: By St. Michael said the gunmaker
to bis boy. Moscow does not contain
0 another blade like that. Damascus new
er saw better.
L think yea are right, my master
j the boy returned, who had beheld the
trial of the blade with unbounded admir-
alton. Bui,' he added, could you not
n. temper a blade ike that?
PERHAPS. if l had the steel But l
u haveit not. The steel of these two
I'd blades cane from India, and was origin
u ally in one weapon-a ponderous, two
handed affair, belonging TO a Benga
Ichieftain. The metal possesses all the
: hardness OF the finest razor, with the
ie elasticity OF the most subtle spring. Ny
ad old master at Toledo gave me these as ;
er Imemento. Were to mention the sun
to of money he was once offered for the
largest one. you would hardly credit it
After this Ruric gave Paul few di
ne recticns about the work, promising 10 b.
oS- back before night. Just then Orsa drov
er- up to the door.
h. Ruric was all ready. His mothe
was in the kitchen. He went TO hel
leo with a smile upon his face. He put b
to arms about her and drew her to his b.
os- som.
III God bless you, my mother. I sha
come back He said this, and then
INC kissed her.
OF He dared stop to speak no more, b
she topened the door and passed cut.
18th Have you a good weapon ? ask
Orsa, as the horse started on.
4 have Ruric said quietly; and o.
-sh- which has stood more tests than mo
am swords will bear. And alter some fu
to Their remarks he related the peculiar CT
rb+ Icumstances attending the making of Il
sword, and his possession Of it.
o"9 A. length they struck upon the riv'
and and in half an hour more they reach
atch the appointed spot. The day was bea
IAN ,iful. They had been upon the grou
l.: but few minutes when the other pai
came in sight around the bend of the r
was er. The monk goas there also.
this. As soon as the Count and his seco
she and surgeon had arrived, and the hor
. eft had been secured, the lieutenant prop
ed that they should repair 10 an cid bui
ling which was close at hand.
e ST. Aye added Damonof.-' Let
and have this business done, for would
p an back to dinner. I dine with Olga tot
,,.o and fair maiden awaits my coming.
Notice him not whispered Orsa, "
e IN walked close by Ruric's side. That
'sa, a one of his chief points when engaged
fficer an affair of this kind. He hopes to
2ur;o you angry, and so unhinge your nerv
Never fear, answered the gunmal
al The party halted when they reac
pass the interior of the rough structure,
we the Count threw off his pelisse and 4
onoT his sword. Ruric followed his exam
Sir Count the latter said, as
" moved a step forward, ere we CONNIE
head this work l wish all present to IN
] can stand distinctly how | stand. You
must sought this quarrel from the first. "
out the least provocation from me
have insulted me most grossly, and
you, is the climax. So, before God and [
be the result upon your own head
almIv. Out, lying knave--
, tho Hold cried the surgeon. laying
hand heavily upon the Counts arr
You have no right to speak thus,
you lower yourself when you do it.
Il that you have come to fight, do so hor
.o,,nt,. bly,
~. An angry reply was upon Damon
lips, but he did not speak it. He tn
mother 10 his antagonist and said
He 'Will you measure weapons,
d she Mine may be mite the longest. l
onas no advantage; and 1 have one he
the same length and weight as my
if you wish it,
TOD. in l am well satisfied as it is, re
rnrise. Ruric.
haan Then take your ground.-Ar
O7en ready"
hase LAM
of the The two swords were crossed in a
isit of slant, with clear, sharp clang.
se,,ed The above is all of this story tina
be Dublished in our columns We