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

-ds AitI A<aAaA'~F ffe--1 = 'N-
10 the Borodino road. Now, thought he,
IS the time to call on RJsalind; and as 5
soon as be had eaten bis breakfast he a
prepared for the visit. He dressed well,
and no man in Moscow had nohier
look when the dust of toll was removed I
from his brow and garb.
He took a horse aud sledge, and start
ed off for the Kremlin, within which the
Duke resided.
In one Of the sumptuously furnished +
apartments Of the palace Of the Duke of
lula sat Rosalind Valdai. She was a
beautiful girl; nodded in perfect form.
with the fall flush of health and vigor,
and possessing a face of peculiar sweet
ness and intelligence. She was only /
nineteen years of age. and she had been
ten years an orphan. There was moth /
ing of the aristocrat in her look-nOthing
proud, nothing naughty; but gentleness
and love were the true elements of her
| soul.
How now, Zenobie?' asked Rosa
lind, as her waitiag-maid entered.
sTheIe IS a gentleman below who
would see you the girl replied.
Then tell him I cannot see him, said
Rosalind, trembling.
But it is Ruric Nevel, my mistress.
Ruricr exclaimed the fair maiden,
starting up, while the rich blood mounted
, Ito her brow and temples. %, l am glad
he has come, my prayers are surely an
swered. Lead him hither, Zenobie.'
The girl departed, and ere long after
wards Ruric entered the apartment. He
walked quickly TO where Rosalind had
arisen to her feet, and taking enc Of heI
hands in both his own be pressed it Il
his lips. 1t was with difficulty he spoke
But the emotions of his soul became
+ calm at length, and then he recsired Ros
, alinds promise that she ,could never per
5 nit Ter hand to be disposed of to anotbe
~ By The Duke of lula. Ruric informe,
o her Of the visit of Count Damonof t
" his shop, its purpose and the result. Ros
70 alind was astonished and alarmed. Sill
81. she could not believe that the Oak
I meant to bestow her hand upon Damon
no. off. The Duke owed him money, sh
af said, aud might perhaps be playing wit
,b the Count.
a- Rurc started as a new suspicion aasl
M ed upon him Had the Duke sent Dan
- onof upon that mission on purpose
10 get him into a quarrel. Aye, thoug'
.g- the youth to himself, the Duke know
H. that I have taught the sword-pIay, al
no knows that the Count would be no mat
nd for me. So he thinks in this subtle ma
|ner to make me an instrument ofriddil
Ter him of a plague But the youth W
eL careful not to let Rosalind know of tn
to- lie thought she would be unhappy if 5
# knew that duel was likely to come
Sit between himself and the Count.
After some minutes of comparative
-n- Hence. Ruric took leave Of Rosalind, a
no was soon in the o7en court, here he
- tered his sledge. and then drove to t
barracks in the Ilhitagorod, where he
pas .quired for a young friend named Orss
lieutenant Of the guard. The off
was quickly found, and as he met RI
no- his salutation was warm and cordial
re # After the first friendly greetings had pa
p ed, Rurlc remarked, may hav,
sted meeting with Conrad Count Damon
He has sought a quarrel-insulted
ioin- most grossly-aimed a blow at my b
mons and I knocked him down. You
Judge as well as I what the result 4
urr- be-"
in a Most surely he VIII challenge )
sir cried the officer, excitedly.
now So 1 think resumed Ruric, call
brow And now will you serve me in
seek event"
With pleasure
VIII And thereupon Ruric related all
had occurred at the time of the Coz
visit to bis shop, and then took his le
know lie reached home just as his nc
lows was spreading the board for dinner.
often went away on business, and
the thought not Of asking him any q
r, he tons.
1rie's On questioning Paul, in the sho
AIMED the afternoon, Ruric, to his great SURF
5 not learned that the Black Monk had
= ana there during his absence, to purch,
him dagger; that he had drawn out o.
i'm TO hoy a minute account of the Wis
Urzeu and Damonof, and that he Sc,
-hisp- to be much pleased with Roric's con
that As they were talking, Urzen callec
Rough presented a challenge from the Cou
my Ruric at once referred him to his Fl