M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-03-10

Count would be no match for me-
SO he thinks in this subtle manner to
make me an instrument Cor Kidding
him OF a plague" Buttht youth was
careful not to let Rosalind know of
this, He thought she would be un.
happy if she knew that duel was
likely to come of between himself and
the Count.
After some minutes Of comparative
silence, Ruric took leave Of ROsalind,
and was soon in the open court
Here he entered his sledge and drove
to the barracks in the Khitagorod,
where he cnquired for a young friend
named Orsa,a lieutenant of the guard.
The officer was quickly found, and as
he met Ruric his salutatiOn was warm
aud cordial. Afler the first friendly
greetings had passed, Ruric remark
ed, VI may have a meeting with Con-
rad Count DamOnotf. lie has sought
a quarrel--insulted me most grossly
aimed blow at my head--and !
knocked him down. You can Judge
as well as what the result must be-"
"Mostsurely he will challenge YOU"
cried the officer, excitedly.
80 | think, resumed Ruric, calm.
|ly. "And new will you servo me in
the event!"
"With pleasure"
| And thereupon Ruric related all
that had occurred Ottime of the Counts
visit to his shop, and then took his
leave.
lie reached homo just as his moth,
er was spreading the board for dinner.
lie often went away on business, and
she thought not of asking him any
questions.
On questioning Paul, in the shop,
in the afternoon, Ruric, to his great
surprise, learned that the Black Monk
had been there during his absence, to
purchase a dagger; that he had drawn
out Of the boy a minute account of the
visit OF Urzen and Damonoff, and that
he seemed to be much pleased with
Ruric's conduct. As they were talk.
ing, Uzen called and presented
challenge from the Count. Ruric at
once referred him to his friend, and
he took his leave.
! That evening about eight o'clock, a
sledge drove up to Ruric's door, and
fyOung Orso entered the house. He
called Ruric aside, and informed him
that the arrangements had all been
made.
"Damonff is in hurry" he said,
"and we have appointed the meeting
at ten o'clock tomorrow forenoon.
1t will take place at the bend of the
river just beyond the ViSka Hill"
"And the weapons3" asked Ruric.
"Swords," returned Orsa. "The
Count will bring his own, and he
gives you the privilege OF selecting
sue h one as you choose"
81 thank you Orsa, for your kind.
ness thus far, and you may rest as
rured that shall be prompt"
"Suppose | call here in tho morn
ing for you2" suggested the visitor.
Il should be pleased to lave you
do so, the gunmaker said; and thus it
was arranged.
On the following morning Ruric
was up be-times, and at the breakfast
table rot a word fthe one all-absorb-
ing theme was uttered. After the
meal was finished the gunmaker went
out to his shop, and took down from
one Of the closets long leathern case
in which was two swords. They were
Toledo blades, and of most exquisite
workmanship and finish. Ruric took
out the heaviest one, which was a two
edged weapon, with a cross hilt of
heavily gilded metal. He 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 a sharp clang and the texture
was not started. Then he struck the
fiat of the blade upon the anvil with
great force. The ring was sharp and
clear, and the weapon remained un,
harmed.
"By St. Michael" said the gunma-
ker to his boy, "Moscow does rot con-
tain another blade like that. Damas-
Gus never saw better"
81 think you are right, my master" F"
the boy returned, who had beheld the
trial Of the blade with unbounded ad-
miration. "But," he added, "could
you not temper blade like that?"
"Perhaps, if | had the steel. But
| have it not. The steel of these two
blades came from India, and was orig
inallv in one weapon--a ponerous,
two-handed affair, belonging to Ben
gal chiettain. The metal possesses
all the hardness of the finest razor, with
the elasticity ofthe most subtle spring.
NJ IN