Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-03-10

Ol ncl nallAS III hOiu nis own he
pressed it to his lips 1t was with
difficulty he spoke But the emotions
of his soul becam calm at length, and
then he receired Rosoiipd's promise
that she 'couid necer permit her hand 10
be disposed Of 10 another by he Duke Of
Tulo. Ruric informed her of the visit
of Count Damonof' to his shop, it,
purpose and the result RoSalind was
astonished and alarmed. Still. she
could not believe that the Duke meant
to bestow her hand upon Damonotf.-
The Duke owed him money, she said,
and might perhaps be playing with the
Count.
Ruric started as new suspicion
flashed upon him. Had the Duke
sent Damonoil upon that mission on
purpose to get him into a quarrel
Aye" thought the youth TO himself,
''the Duke knows that | have taught
the sword-play, and he knows that the
Count would be no match for me. 30
he thinks in this subtle manner To
make me an instrument for ridding
him of plague" But the 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 off 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 slelge, and then drove
to the barracks IN the khitagorod,
where he inquired for a young friend
named Orsa. lieutenant of the guard.
The officer was quickly found. and as
he met Ruric his salutation was warm
and cordial. After the first friendly
greetings had passed, Ruric remarked,
Il may have meeting with Conrad
Count Damonoii'. He has sought a
quarrel-insulted me most grossly
aimed blow at my head-aad |
knocked him down. You can Judge
as well as what the result must be- -
"Most surely ne will challenge you,
cried the officer, cXcitedly.
$50 | think" resumed Ruric,
calmly. "And now will you serve mc
in the cvent?"
"With pleasure.
And thereupon Ruric related all that
had occurred at the time of the
Counts visit to his shop, and then
took his leave.
He reached home just as his mother
was spreading the board for dinner
He 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, t.
purchase dagger; that he had drawn
out OF the boy minute account OF the
visit of Urzen and Damonofi,, and thai
he seemed to be much pleased with
Ruric's conduct. As they were talk
ing, Urzen called and presented q
challenge from the Count. Ruric al
once referred him to his friend, and hC
took his leave.
That evening, about eight o'clock,
a sledge drove up to Ruric's door, and
young Orsa entered the house. He
called Ruric aside, and informed hin
that the arrangements had all been
made.
"Damonon is in hurry" he said
land we have appointed the meeting
at ten o'clock tomorrow forenoon
1t will take place at the bend of tn
river Just beyond the Viska HILL"
And the weapons asked Ruric
Swords" returned Orsa. 9TH
Count will bring his own, and he give
you the privilege of selecting such al
J one as you choose"
81 thank you, Orsa, for your kind
ness thus far, and you may rest assur
ell that | shall be prompt"
, Suppose call here in the mornin:
, Tor you?" suggested the visitor.
81 should be pleased to have You d
so," the gunmaker said; and thus
) was arranged.
On the following morning Ruri
) was up betimes, and at the breakias
, table not word of the one all l-absorb
ing theme was uttered. After th
meal was finished the gunmaker wen
| out to his shop, and took down fron
/ one Of the closets long leathcrn ease
in which were two swords. The
were Toledo blades. and of mos
exquisite workmanship and finish.-
Ruric took out the heaviest one, whic
: was a two-edged weapon, with a eros
hit of heavily gilded metal. ii
: placed the point upon the floor. an
' then, with all his weight he bent tn
e blade till The pommcl touched tn
point. The 1.-the steel sprang back {
a It's place with sharp clang. and tn
a texture was not started. Then h
/. struck the flat of the blade upon TIA
anvil with great force. The ring wa
t sharp and clear. and the weapo
| remained unharmed.
by st. Michael" said the gun
/ maker to his boy, Moscow does nc
a contain another blade like that
Damascus never saw a better"
l Il think you are right, my master,
e the boy returned, who had beheld tn
e trial of the blade with unbounde
t admiration. But" he added. 'coul
i you not temper blade like that?'
r perhaps, if | hal the steel. But
; have it not. The steel of these tw
e blades came from India, and Wa
e originally III one weapon-a ponlel
r ous, two-handed affair. belonging to
/ Bengal chieitain. The metal possess,
e all the hardness of the finest razo
with the elasticity of the most subt
= spring. My old master at Toled