Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-03-09

match ior me. 30 he thinks IN THIS SUI,
tie 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 unhappy
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 Roalind, and
was soon in the open court. Here he
entered his sledge. and then drove 10 the
barracks in the Khitagorod, where be
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, "I may have
meeting with Conrad Count Damonof.
He has sought quarrel-insulted me
most grussly-aimed blow at my head
and knocked him down. You can
Judge as we'll as I what the result
must be.
"Most surely he will challenge you"
cried the officer, exeitedly.
80 think, resumed Ruric, calmly.
"And now will you serve me in The
event?'
"With pleasure.
And thereupon Ruric related all that
had occurred at the time of the Counts
visit 10 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 after. noon, Ruric, to his great sur.
prise, learned that the Black Monk had
been there during his absence, to pur-
chase dagger; that he had drawn out
of the boy minute account of the visit
of Urzen and Damonoff, and that he
seemed TO be much pleased with Ruric's
conduct. As they were talking, Urzen
called and presented challenge from
the Count. Ruric at once referred him
to his friend, and he took his leave.
That evening, about eight o'clock, a
sledge drove up to Ruric's door, and
young Orsa entered the house. He cal
led Ruric aside, and informed him that
the arrangements had all been made.
"Damonoff is in hurry" he said,
"and we have appointed the meeting at
ten o'clock o.morrow forenoon. 1t will
take place at the bend of the river just
beyond the Viska Hill."
"And the weapons?" asked Ruric.
"Swsrds," returned Orsa. "The
Count will bring his own, and he gives
you the privilege of selecting such one
as you choose"
81 thank you, Orsa, for your kindness
thus far, and you may rest assured that
l shall be prompt"
"Suppose l all here in the morning
for you?" suggested the visitor.
81 should be pleased to have you do
so, "the gunmaker said; and thus it was
arranged.
On tn, following morning Ruric was
up be-times and at the breakfast table not
g. word of the one all absorbing theme
was uttered. After the meal was finish.
ed the gunmaker went out TO his shop,
and took down from one of the closets a
long leather case, in which were two
swords. They were Toledo blades, and
ofmost exquisite workmanship and finish.
Ruric took out the heaviest one, which
was two-edged weapon, with cross
hilt of heavily gilded metal. He placed
the point upon the floor, and then, with
all his weight he bent the blade till the
pommel touched the point. The 1.-the
steel sprang back to its place with a
sharp clang. rnd abe texture was moi
started. Then he struck the fiat of the
blade upon the anvil with great force.
The ring was sharp and clear, and the
weapon remained unharmed.
"By St. Michael" said the gunmaker
to his. bOy,"Moscow does not contain
another blade like that. Damascus
never saw better"
81 think you are right, my master, -
the boy returned, who had beheld the
trial of the blade with unbounded admi.
ration. "But," he added, "could you
not temper blade like thal?"
perhaps. if l had the steel. But /
have it not. The steel of these two
blades came from India, and was origi-
naily In one weapon-a ponderous, two
handed affair, belonging TO a Bengal
chieftain. The metal possesses all the
hardness of the finest razor, with the
elasticity of the most subtitle spring. Ny
old master at Toledo gave me these as a
memento. Were l to mention the sum
of money he was once offered for the
largest one. you would hardly credit it. I"
After this Ruric gave Paul a few d.
rections about the work, promising to be
back before night. Just then Orsa drove
up to the door.
Ruric was all ready. His mother was
in the kitchen. He went to her with a
smile upon his face. He put his arms
shout her and drew her to his bosom.