Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-03-15

pal ~ VI q ko4-l0tA, lAC toSA 49,
shop was opened, and two men entered.
They were young men, dressed IN cosby
| fuss, and both of them stout ana gooa-iooK-
ing. The gun-maker recognized lem
as the Count Conrad DamonoH ana ms
friend Stephen Urzen.
Il think / speak with Ruric Newell,
said the Count, moving forward.
You do" returned Ruric. not at all
surprised by the visit, since people of all
classes were la the habit of calling at his
+ place to order arms.
You are acquainted with the Lady
RosaIind Valdai!' he said.
Il am" answered Ruric, now begin
ming to wonder.
Well, SIR" resumed Damonoff, with
much haughtness, " perhaps my business
can be quickly and satisfactorily settled.
Ii is my desire to make the Lady Rosa
| lind my wife.
| Ruric Newell started at these words,
and he clasped his hands to hide their
,remulousness.
And why have you come to me with
this information, SIR, he asked.
g Ruric Newell, you shall not say that
| did not make myself understood, and
hence will explain" The Count spoke
/ this as spoke man who feels that he is
doing very condescending thing, and IN
the same tone be proceeded: 1.-The La
DIV Rosalind is of noble parentage and
very wealthy. My own station and
wealth are equal to hers. ! love her,
and must have her for my wife. l have
been 10 see the noble Duke, her guardian
and he objects not to my suit. But he in
| formed me that there was one impede
| ment and that was her love for you. He
| knows full well-as | know, and as all
must know that she could never become
your wife: hut yet he is anxious not to in
terfere too much against her inclinations.
So a simple denial from you, TO the effect
that you can never claim her hand
is all that is necessary. l have a paper
here all drawn up, and all that require
is simply your signature. Here it is
only plain, simple avowal on your part
that you have no hopes nor Thoughts of
seeking the hand of the lady in marri-
age"
AS the Count spoke he drew a paper
from the bosom of his marten doubet,
and having opened it he banded it towards
the gunmaker. But Ruric took it not
He drew back and gazed the visitor
sternly in the face.
Sir Count" he said calmly firmly.
g you have plainly stated your PROPOSE
ton, and | will as plainly answer. l can
not sign the raper.'
"Ha!" gasped Damonof, in quick pas
sion, =" do you refuse g.
- Most fatty"
q But you will sign it," Kissed Damon
/ off, turning pale with rage. "Here it is,
sign If you would live sign.''
| d" Perhaps he cannot WRITE" suggested
Urzen contemporary.
! Then he may make his mark" re-
joined the Count In the same contempt.
uous tone.
g 1t might not require much more urg-
ing 10 lndnce me 10 make my mark in a
manner not at all agreeable to you, SIR"
the youth retorted, his teeth now set, and
the dark veins upon his brow starting
more plainly out. do you seek a quar-
rel with me 2"
Seek9-I seek what l will have
Will you sign g.
"Once more-Nor'
Then, by heavens, you shall know
what it is to thwart such as me, How's
that2 e.
As these words passed from the Counts
lips IN low, Kissing whisper, he aimed
a blow with his fist at Ruric's head. The
gunmaker had not dreamed of such a
dastardiy act, and he was not prepared
for it it. Yet he lodged it, and as the
Count drew back Rurlc dealt hin. blow
upon the brow that felled him to the floor
like dead OK.
Beware, Stephen Urzen =" he whis-
peret to the Counts companion, as that
individual made a movement as though
he would come forward. 9 am not N.Y.
self now, and you are safest where YOU
are"
The man thus addressed viewed the
gunmaker a few moments, and he SEEM
: ed TO conclude that he had better avoid
personal encounter.
, Conrad Damonof slowly rose to his
feet, and gazed into his antagonists
face few moments In silence. His own
face deathly pale, and his whole frame
. quivered.
/" Ruric Newell" he said in kissing
maddened tone, "you will hear from me.
can overlook your pelebian stock"
And with TIN. he turned away.
4" Paul, said the gunmaker, turning 10
his boy, after the men had gone, not a
word OF this to my mother. Be sure"
On the following morning, as Ruric
was preparing for breakfast, be saw Oh
ga, the Duke, pass by. and strike off in
10 the Borodine road. Now, thought he,
Is the time TO call on Ro,alind; and as
soon as he had eaten his breakfas, he
prepared for the visit. He DIR essed well
and no man in Moscow had nobler look
when The dust of toll was removed from
his brow and garb.
He took horse and sledge, and start
ed off for the kremlin, within which the
duke resided