The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-03-10

apartments of the palace Of the Duke Of
Tula sat Rosalind Valdai. She was beau
tiful girl nodded in perfect form. with the
full flush Of health and vigor, and posses
ing face Of peculiar sweetness and intel
ligence. She was only nineteen years Of
age, and she had been ten years an orphan.
There was nothing Of the aristocrat in her
look-nothing proud, nothing naughty !:
but gentleness and love were the truo Gle.
ments Of her soul.
slow now, Zenoblc!' asked Rosalind, as
her waiting maid entered.
'There is a gentleman below who would
see you,' the girl replied.
Then tell him I cannot sec him. said
RosaIind, trembling.
But it is Ruric Nevcl, my Mistress
RuricP exclaimed the fair maiden, start
ing up, while the rich blood mounted to
her brow and temples. %, am glad he
has come. My prayers are surely answer
ed. lead him lilher, Zcnoble.' The girl
departed, and ere long afterwards Ruric
enteredthe apartment. lie walked quickly
to where Rosaland had arisen to her feet,
and taking one of her hands in both of his
own he pressed it to his lips. 1t was with
difficulty lie spoke. But tho emotions of
his soul became calm at length, and then
he received Rosalind's promise that she
scoula neuer permit her hand to be disposed
Of to another by tie Duke Of zula. Ruric
Informed her of the visit of Count Damon
off to his shop, its purpose and the result.
RosaIind was astonished and alarmed
Still, she could not believe that the Duke
meant to bestow her hand upon Damonoff
The Duke owed him money, she said, and
might perhaps be playing with the Count.
Ruric started as new suspicion flashed
upon Lin. Had the Duke sent Damonoff
upon that mission on purpose to get him
into quarrel. Aye thought the youth
to himself, the Duke knows that I have
taught the sword play, and he knows the
Count would be no match for me. So he
thinks in this subtle manner to make me
an instrument for ridding him of a plague
But the youth was careful not to lei Rosa.
lind know Of this. lie thought she would
be unhappy if she knew that duel was
likely to come off between himself and the
Count.
After some minutes Of comparative 81
lence, Ruric took leave of Rosalind, and
was soon in the open court. Hero lie en-
tered his sledge, and then drove TO the bar.
racks in the khitagorod, where he inquired
for young friend named Orsa, leuten-
ant of the guar:l. The officer was quickly
found, and as he met Ruric his salutation
was warm and cordial. After the first
friendly greetings had passed, Ruric re-
marked, 4 may have meeting with Con-
rad Count Damonoff. lie has sought a
quarrel-insulted me most grossly-aimed
a blow at my head-and knocked him
down. You can judge as we'll as what
the result must be-
Most surely he will challenge you,"
cried the officer excitcdly.
so think said Ruric, calmly. sAnd
now will you serve me in the eventa'
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.
lie 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, learn.
ed that the Black Monk had been there
during his absence, to purchase dagger
that he had drawn out Of the boy mint,te
account of the visit of Urzen and Damon
off, and that he seemed to be much pleas
ed with Ruric's conduct. AS they were
talking, Urzen called and presented chal
lenge from the Count Ruric. at once
referred him to his friend, and he took his
leave.
That evening about eight o'clock,
sledge drove up to Ruric's door, and young
Orsa entered the house. He called Ruric
aside, and informed him that tho arrange
ment had all been made.
Damonoff is in a hurry he said, 'and
we have appointed the meeting at ten
o'clock to morrow forenoon. 1t will take
.pla&tat the bend of the river just beyond
tue Visks IIill."
'And the weaponsq' ashed Ruric.
Swords returned rOrsa. The Count
will bring his own, and he gives you the
privilege Of selecting such an one as you
choose
Il thank you, orsa, for your kindness
thus far, and.you may rest assured that I
shall beprompt.' ~
Suppose call hero 10 the morning for
youT suggested tbevisitor. .
Il should be pieased TO have you do so,'
Ala dr,oLos eo;d and f1,,t, n ,,.s ..<