Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-03-10

nOOle LUKE, nef Buotuions oDu ~ SeJS
not to my suit But be informed me that
there was one impediment, and that was her
love for you. He knows fill well-as
know, and as all must know-that she could
never become your wife; but yet he is anx-
ious not 10 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 pa
per here all drawn up, and all that require
is simply your signature. Here-it is only
a 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 a parer from
the bosom of his msrten doublet, and having
opened il he handed it towards the gun
maker. But Ruric took it not. He drew
back and gazed the visitor sternly in the
face.
"Sir Count" he said. calmly and firmly,
'.you have flainly stated your proposition,
and will as plainly answer. | cannot sign
the paper"
fla" gasped Damonoff, in quick pas
sion. "Do you refuse!"
"Most fatty"
But you will sign ii!" hissed Damonof.
turning pale with rage. "Here it is--sign!
If you would live-sign!
perhaps he cannot write," suggested
Urzen, contemptuously.
"Then he NAV make his mark" rejoined
the Count, in the same contemptuons tone.
at might not require much more urging
to induce me to make my mark IN a man
ner not at all agreeable to you, sir," the
youth retorted, with his teeth no" set, and
the dark veins upon his brow starting more
plainly out. "Do you seek quarrel with
mep
"Seek-I seek what will have. Will
you signr' f ~Fet-
Once more-No"
"Then, by heavens, you shall know what
it is to thwsrt such as me! HOw's that!"
As ,heee words passed from the Counts
lips in low, Kissing whisper, he aimed q
blow with his fist at Rurieis head. The
gunmaker had not dreamed of such das-
tardly act. and he was not prepared for il.
Yet he lodged it, and as the Count drew
back Ruric dealt him blow upon the brow
that felled him to the floor Ike dead OK.
"Beware, Stephen Urzen." he whispered
20 the Counts companion, as that individ-
ual made movement as though he would
come forward. 81 am not myself now, and
YOU are safest where you are"
The man thus addressed viewed the gun
maker few moments, and he seemed to
conc lude that he had better avoid a per.
sonal encounter.
Conrad Damonoff slowly rose 20 his feet
and grzed into his antagonists face few
moments in silence. His own face was
deathly pale, and his whole frame quivered.
"Ruric Newell" he said, in a Kissing
maddened tone, "ycu will hear from me.
can overlook your plebian stock -
And with this he turned away.
"PauI," said the gunmaker, turning to
his boy, after the men had gone. "not 8
! " ord of this to my mother. Be sure"
On the following morning, as Ruric was
preparing for breakfast, he saw Olga, the
Duke, pas, by. and strike off into the Boro'
dina road. Now, thought he, is the time
to call on Rosal:nd; and as soon as he hat
eaten his breakfast he prepared for the visit
lie dressed well, and no man in all Mus
cow had a nobier look when the dust o
toll was removed from his brow and gsrb
He took horse and sledge. and started
off Tor the kremlin, within which the Drk,
resided.
In one of the sumptuously furnishe,
apartments of the palace of the Duke o
lula sat Rosalind Valdai. She was beau
tilul girl; nodded in perfect form. with the
full flush Lf health and vigor, and possess
ing face of peculiar sweetness and intel
ligence. She was only nineteen years o
age, and she had been ten years an orphan
There was nothing Of the aristocrat in he
look-nothing proud. nothing naughty; bu
gentleness and love were the true element
Of her soul.
"Hu now, Zenobial" asked Rosa.ind
as her waiting-maid entered.
There is gentleman below who woult
see you," the girl replied.
aThen tell him cannot see him." sal,
Rosalind, trembling.
"But it is Ruric Newell. my mistress"
"Ruric." exclaimed the fair maiden
starting up, while the rich blood mounted
to her brow and temples. 80, am gls
he has come. My prayers are surely an
swered. Lead him hither, Zenobia."
: The girl departed, and ere long after
wards Ruric entered the apartment. H.
walked quickly TO where Rosalind had ars
en- to her feet, and tak;ng one Of her hand
in both his own he pressed it to his lips
1t was difficulty he spoke. But the emotion
of his soul became calm at length, and thel
he received Rosalind's promise that she poxl
neuer permit her hand TO be disposed of to an
other In the Duke Of 1Gla. Ruric informe
her of the visit of Count Dumonoff to hi
shop, its purpose and the result. Rosalin
; was astonished and alarmed. Still, sh
could not believe that the Duke meant T.
$ bestow her hand upon Damonoff. Th
! Duke owed him money, she said, and nigh
perhaps be playing with the Count.
Ruric started as new suspicion flashe
r upon him. Had the Duke sent Damonoi
upon that mission on purpose to get hin
? into quarrel. "Aye," thought the youtI
to hin self, "the Duke knows that | hav.
taught the sword-pluy, and he knows tina
the Count would be no match for me. S,
he thinks in this subtle manner to n.ak
me an instrument for riddiug him of
> plague" But the youth was careful not /,
let Rosslind know of this. He thought sh
would be unhappy if she knew that a due
...ae I;I-ol.. "a cana OFF hafuoaa L ;x.aI