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

weapons therein. Ruric questioned hlm
closely as to whether be had ever met
him before. but the Monk replied eva
sively, and after saying that in case the I
gunmaker should ever, in any great emer- +
gencv. need friend, that he might aP-
ply to him, he took bis leave.
Towards the middle of the afternoon,
lust as Ruric had finished temPering
some parts of a gun-lock. the back door
of his shop was opened, and-two men en-
tered. They were young men, dressed
in costly furs, and both of them stout and
good-looking. The gunmaker recognized
them as the Count Conrad Damonotf
and his friend Stephen Urzen.
/ L think I speak with Ruric NeveI,
said the Count moving forward.
you do returned Ruric, not at all
surprised by the visit, since people of all
classes were in the habit Of calling at bis
place to order arms.
you are acquainted with the Lady
Rosalind Valda," he said.
! am answered Ruric, now begin
ming to wonder.
We'll, sir resumed Damonof, with
much baughtiness, perhaps my business
can be quickly and satisfactorily settled.
It's my desire to make the Lady Rosa
lind my wife
Ruric Nevelstarteda at these words, and
, he clasped his hands to hide their tremu-
4 Iousness. Bnt he was not long debating
i upon an answer.
And why have you come to me Will
this information. sir? he asked.
'Ruric Newell, you shall not say tina
= / did not make myself fully understood
.. and hence I will explain The Coun
a spoke this as speaks a man who feel
.a that he is doing a very condescendin
thing, and in the same tone he prodeed
ed: The Lady Rosalind is of NOBLE pa
of. rentage and very wealthy. My ow
~ station and wealth are equal with her
.~ I love her. and must have her for N
-, wife. have been 10 see the noble Duk
her guard $40. and he objects not to N
- suit. Bot be informed me that thel
be was one impedimert, and that was ht
h. love for you. He knows full well-as
know, and as all must know-that ST
r.. could never become your wife but y,
or he is anxious rot to interfere too mu,
. against her inclinations. So simple 4
La NAL from YOU, to the effect that you C;
w. never claim her hand, is all that is nece
sary. have paper here all drawn u
q and all that require is simply your 81
len nature. Here-it is only a plain, SIM
,a, avowal on your part that you have
tho hopes nor thoughts of seeking the ha
of the lady in marriage.
y As the Count spoke he drew a PAL
the from the bosom Of his marten doubl
rds and having opened it he handed it
wards the gunmake. But Ruric toob
not He drew back and gazed the vi
or sternly in The face.
'I- Sir Count be said, calmly and fl
-. ", You have plainly started your T
81 position, and l viii as plainly answer
~, 1 cannot sign the paper.
.:g Ia " gasseP Damonof, inquick l
an. sion. Do You refuse 2
- Most fatty
II,; But you viii sign It = Kissed Da
"a nof, turning pale with rage. He
aaI is-sign If you would live-sign
-: Perhaps he cannot write, sugge
~. Urzen. contemporary.
H. Then lie may make his mark, rel
,l,v- ed the Count, in the same contempt
was tone.
and 1t might not require much more
mon ing TO induce me to make mark
IT.. manner not at all agreeable to you,
- the youth retorted, with his teeth
set, and the dark veins upon his
starting more plainly out. Do you
/, a quarrel with me;'
Seek FL seek what I have.
60 iou sign;
'Oace more-Nor
Then, by heavens, you shall /
what it Is to thwart such as me-. Z
~ '-' that
As these words passed from
gun Counts lips in low, Kissing whispe
door, aimed a blow with his fist at R
eyes head. The gunmaker had not DIRE
nd. Of such a dastardly act, and he wa
oIy- prepared for it. Yet he lodged it
ct me as the Count drew back Ruric dealt
blow upon the brow that felled hi
ric.- the floor like a dead OK.
ere Beware, Stephen Urzen . he "
cred to the Counts companion, a
yloved individual made movement as tt
and he would come forward. lam no
zaIf nor ,-I so, Or, -,E.-t -