Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-03-10
81 think | sneak with Rnric Nevel.

OF all classes were III tlc hault Ol
calling at his place to order arms.
You are acquainted with the Lady
Rosalind Valdai?" he said.
Il am" answered Ruric, now
beginning to wonder.
~Wcll SIR" resumed Danonoff,
with much haughtiness, perhaps my
business can be quickly and satisiac-
torily settled. 1t is my desire to make
the Lady Rosalind my wife"
7iuric Ncvel started at these words,
and he clasped his hands to hide their
tremulouslress. But he was not long
debating upon an answer.
"And why have you come to me
with this information, sir?" he asked.
"Ruric Newell. you shall not say
that L did not make myself fully un-
dcrstood, and hence / will explain. -
The Count spoke this as speaks a man
who feels that he is doing a very con
descending thing, and in the same tone
he proceeded: The Lady Rosalind Is
of noble parentage and very wealthy.
Ny own station and wealth are equal
with hers. | love her, and must have
her for my wife. / have been to see
the noble Duke, her guardian, and he
objects not TO my suit. But he in
formed me that there was one impedi-
ment, and that was her love for you.
He knows full well-as j know. and
as all must know-that she could
never become your wife; but yet he is
anxious not to interfere too much
against her inclinations. So simple
denial from you, to the effect that you
can never claim her hand, is all that
is necessary. / have a paper here all
drawn up, and all that | require is
simply your signature. Here-it is
only plain, simple avowal on your
part that you have no hopes nor
thoughts of seeking the hand Of the
lady in marriage"
AS the Count spoke he drew q
paper from the bosom of his marten
doublet, and having opened it he
handed it towards the gunmaker But
Ruric took it not lie drew back and
gazed the visitor sternly in the face.
"Sir Count" he said, calmly ant
firmly, "you have plainly stated youl
proposition, and | will as plainly
answer can not sign the paper
"Ha!" gasped Damonoif, in quick
passion. Do you refuSe?''
''Most fatty
''But you will sign itl'' hissed Da
monoff, turning pale with rage
''Here it is-siSn! If you would liv'
-sign!"
Perhaps he can not write," sug
gested Urzen, contemptuously.
"Ihen he may make his mark, ,
rejoined the Count, III the same con
temptuous tone.
at might not require much more
urging to induce me to make my mari
in manner not at all agreeable to you
sir" the youth retortcd, with his tcctl
now set, and the dark veins upon his
brow starting more plainly out. ''D'
you seek quarrel with me?"
"Seek?-I seek what | will have
Will you sign?"
"Once more-Nor'
"Then, by heavens, you shall know
what it is to thwart such as mel
Uow's that?"
AS these words passed from th
Counts lips in low, kissing whisper
he aimed a blow with his fist at Ruric'
head. The gunmaker had not dream
Ell of such a dastardly act, and he wa
not prepared for it. Yet he lodged it
and as the Count drew back Ruri
dealt him a blow upon the brow tia
fcllcd him to the floor like dead OK
beware, Stephen Urzenl' he whis
pered to the Counts companion, a
that individual made a movement a
though he would come forward. q
am not myself now, and you are safes
where you are.
The man thus addressed viewed th
gunmaker a few moments, and Ia
seemed to conclude that he had bette
avoid personal encounter.
Conrad DamonoH slowly rose to hi
feet, and gazed into his antagonist
face few moments in silence. Iii
own face was deathly pale, and hi
whole frame quivered.
"Ruric Newell" he said, in kissing
maddened tone, "you will hear fror
me. | can overlook your plebeia
, stock"
, And with this he turned away
paul" said the gunmaker, turn
ing to his boy, after the men had gone
, "not word of this to my mother
BE sure"
On the following morning, as Ruri
was preparing for breakfast, he sa'
Olga, the Duke, pass by, and strib
off into the Borodino road. Now
thought he, is the time to call 0
Rosalind; and as soon as he had cate
; his breakfast he prepared for the visi
lie dressed well, and no man in Mo,
! cow had nobler look when the dui
of toll was removed from his brow an
5 garb.
| He took horse and .sledgc, an
started off for the Kremlin, with
which the duke resided.
In one of the sumptuously furnishe
| apartments of the palace of the Dul
= of Tula sat Rosalind Naldai. 81
E was beautiful girl; lnolicd in perfei
d form, with the full flush of health an
vigcr, and possessing a face Of peculi'
/, sweetness and intelligence. She VI
+, only nineteen years of age, and 81
e had been ten years an orphan. The
: was nothing of the aristocrat in h
e look-nothing proud, nothing hang
ty; but gentlene>s and love were Il
I true elements OF her soul
n "IIow now, Zenobic?" asked Ros