Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-27
CHAPTER II.
A STRANGE PROCEEDING.

When Rur1c came down In the morning he
found the monk already there, and breakfast
nearly ready. But little was said during the
meal. The monk seemed busy with thoughts
Of his own, and Ruric was wholly engrossed in
studying the strange mans features and
pondering upon the various doubts and sur
misses that had entered his mind After the
meal was over the monk accompanied the
gunmaker to his shop, and there he spent some
time in examining the quaint articles OF ma
chtnery that were used In the manufacture of
arms.
Ruric was engaged In finishing pair of pis-
tols, and for some minutes the monk had stood
AT leIgth the youth stopped in his work and
laid The pistol down.
vousiy, at the same time looking his visitor in
the face; 'But must ask you question Where
have l seen you before?"
How should known" the monk answered,
"Why," resumed Ruric, with some hesi-
tan y. 81 knew not but that you might en-
tighten me. have surely seen you some
where
'.Ard are there not hundreds whom you have
SET n in this great city-aye, Reconsideration
you might recognize as you recognize mee'
"Ah-it may be so; but not like this. There
may be thousand faces 1 would recOllect to
have seen, but not one of them would excite
even passing emotion In my soul. But your
face calls up some powerful emotton-some
startling memory OF the rast-whlch bothers
| me- WHO are you, good father? What are you?
| Where have we met before? Was it in SPAIN"
"No," said Vladimir, with shake of the head.
| And then, with more serious shade upon his
| face, he added-"Let this pass now. will not
| deny to you that there may be some grounds for
| your strange fancies; but assure you most
| sacIedly that until last night never came in
| direct companionship with you before;-at any
rate, not to my knowledge. You have acted the
| Good Samaritan towards me, and hope may
| some time return the favor"
| NO. no." quickly responded sthe youth; ssif
| you return 1t, then 1t will be favor no more.
! l have only done for you what every man
| should do for his neighbor; and so far from
| needing thanks for my services, would rather
/ give them for the occasion, for know OF no
| Source Of Joy so pure and uncontaminated as
that feeling in the soul which tells US we nave
done good act
The dark monk reached forth and took the
youthful artisans hand, and with more than
ordinary emotion, said:
"You touch the harp-strings of the soul with
ness can give me joy it will be deed for you.
| We may meet again. and until then can only
say, God bless and prosper thee"
| With these words the monk turned away, and
| ere Ruric could command presence of mind
| enough to follow hin he had gone from the
house The youth wished to say something, but
amid the varied emotions that went leaping
through his mind he could gather no connected
thoughts.
After the monk had gone Ruric returned to
his bench and resumed his work. He asked
| his boy If lie had ever seen the strange man
before, but Paul only shook his head, and an
| swered obviously.
"sWhat do you mean?" the gunmaker asked
| looking the boy in the face. do you think
| you have seen him before?"
| 81 cannot tell, my master. may have seen
| him before, and / may not. But surely you
| would not suppose that my memory would serve
| you better than your own.
Ruric was not fully assured by this answer
| He gazed Into Paul'S face and he fancied he
detected some show OF intelligence there which
had not been Spoken But he resolved to ask
| enough, he thought upon such subject, and
| he made up his mind to bother himself no
t. feeling sure re that n III his boy knew
terest to know 1t would S Sa communicated In
due season. So he applied himself aHceW 70
his work, and at noon the pistols were In
Towards the middle of the afternoon Just as
Rurfc had finished tempertng some parts of
gun-lock. the back door of his shop was opened
and two men entered. They were youFg men,
and good looking. The gun-maker recognized
them as the Count Conrad Damonof and his
Il think speak with Ruric Newell" said the
count, moving forward.
'You do" returned Ruric, not at all surprised
the habit OF calling at BIS place to order arms.
and his neither lip trembled; but Ruric thought
that might be the result OF coming from the cold
into q warm atmosphere. However, he was
soon und eceived, for the counts next remark
YOU are acquainted with the Lady Rosalind
Va1dai 2" he said
81 am" answered Ruric, now beginning to
wonder:
"Well, SIR" resumed Damonoff, with much
haughtiness, perhaps my business can be
quickly and satisfactorily settled, It is nv
desire TO make the Lady Rosalind my wife :"
Rurfe Newell started at these words and he
elasped his hands to hide their tremulousness.
But he W as not long debating upon an answer
IS And W by have you come to me with this I'm
formation, sir?" he asked.
"You should know that already. Do you not
love the LADY,"
!" Sir Count, you ask me strange question.
What right have you to question me upon such
q theme?"
"The right that every man has to pave the
way for his own rights" replied Damonoff
lazy. ....EIt yeu choose not to ausRlT, let