Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-03-10

the Count would be no match for me. So
he thinks In this subtle manner to make
me an instrument for riding him of s
plague" But the youth was careful NOT
to bet Rosalind know OF this. He tbought
she would he unhappy if she knew that a
duel was likely to come off between him
self and the Count.
Alter some minutes of comparative al
lencc, Ruric took leave of Rosalind and
was soon in the open court. Here he en-
tered his sledge, and then drove to the bar
racks IN the khitagorod. where be inouired
for Young friend named Orsa, a licuten-
ant Of the guard. The officer was ou;cklv
found, and as he met Ruric his saluta alton
was warm and cordial. After the first
friendly greetings had passed, Ruric re-
marked, IL may have meeting with Con-
rad Count Damonoff He has sought n
quarrel-insuted rne most grossly-aim-
cd blow at my head-and | knocked him
down. You can Judge as well as me what
the result must be.'' - ,I.,.-.-r -
"Most surely he will challenge you,"
cried the officer excitedly.
go think" resumed Ruric. calmly.
"And now will You serve me in the
eyent?' .tel '.-,e1.ll !, 4. - -"
"With pleasure ..,.,. f.osr
And thercupon Ruric related all .hst
had occurred at the time of the Counts via.
1t to his shop. and then took his leave.
lie reached home inst 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 surnrme
learned that the Black Monk hal been tbsr,
during his absence to purchase dagger;
that he had drawn out of the boy q min
ute account OF the visit of Urzen and DAM
ohoff, and that he seemed to be much pleas.
Ell with Ruric's conduct AS they were
taikiag' Urzen called and presented . chal-
ienge from the Count. Rurie at once 70
ierred HIM to his friend, and he took his
leave.
That evening, about eight o'clock. q
sleise drove upto Ruric's door, and young
Orsa entered the house. He called Ruric
aside, and Informed him that the arrange
ments had all been made.
"Damonotf is in hurry" he said, s'and
we have appointed the meeting at ten o..
clock tomorrow forenoon. 1t will t.ks
place at the bend of the river just beyond
the Viska Hill.'
I And the weapons?" asked Ruric.
"Swortls. returned Orsa. ..Tbe Coupt
will bring his own, and he gives Won sI,s
privilege OF selecting such an one as you
choose"
s.T
Il thank you, Orsa, for your kindness
thus far, and you may rest assured that I
shall be prompt" III
Suppose call here in the morning for
you?' suggested the visitor. =,
Il should be pleased TO have you do 80"
the gunmaker said; and thus il was arr.n-
ged.
On the following morning Ruric was nm
. oetimes, and at the breakfast table not =
word oil the one all-absorbing theme Was
uttered. After the meal was finished the
gnnmaker went out to his shop, and took
down from one of the ci sets long Jessh.
, ern case, in which were two swords. Tbev
+ were Toledo blades, and of most exou;sifs
) Workmanship and finish. Ruric took ont
the heaviest one, which was a t,vo.edc,1
weapon, with cross hilt of heavily p;lde8
metal; lie placed the point upon the floor.
and then, with all his weight he bent the
blade till the pommel touched the point
lhe 1.-THE steel sprang back to its place with
, sharp cfang, and the texture was mot
, started. Then he strnck the fat of the
blade upon the anvil with great force
The ring was sharp and. clear. and TIA
weapon remained unharmed. o'l'
."By st. Michael" said the cuumaker n
his boy, Moscow does not contain anoeb-
er blade like that. Damascus meyer 60 /.
BETTER
81 think you are right, nv master [" The
$ boy returned, who had bcheld the trial Of
E the blade with unbounded animation
but, he added. 'could you not temper
= a blade like that?'' eir ssalll., = Z -
1 Perhaps if had the steel. But hsvs
, not. The steel of these two blades e.me
} rom India, and was originally in one
I weapon-a ponderous two handed agFs;r
| belonging to Bengal chieffain. The metal
possesses all the hardness of the fines, razor.
| with the elasticity Of the most subtle sprinr.
e My old master at Toledo gave me these n =
memento. Were | to mention the sum Of
| money he was once offered for the largest
f one, you would hardly credit it,"
a After this Ruric gave Panl few diree-
tions about the work. promising to be bach
before night. just then Orsa drove m %
the door.
! RurIc was all ready. His mother va
: In the kitchen. He went to her with 4
r smile ,upon his facc. He put his arms
about her and drew her 10 his bosom. ''
d "God bless you. my mother. 1 shall
come back" lie said this, and thea b
kissed her.
He dared stop to speak no mors. bus
opened the door and passed out. =
Have yon good wespon?" asked Orr,
I as the horse started on. Is sss.s p
81 have" Ruric said. quietly; ''a.a 60
. which has stood more tests than mesI
swords will bear" And after some fur.
4 ther remarks he reiated the peculiar circum.
A stances attending the making Of the sword
! and hls possession of it. ,.t,,.si 81 s...'
AT length they struck upon the rivsr, ~
: in half an hour more they reached tho .
e pointed spot. The day was besutifSl.-
4 They had been upon the ground but . Sew