The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-27
.r thinl sneaz with Ruric Nerel.n said

though Jnat might DC lIle result Ol coming
from the cold into warm atmosphere. How
ever, he was soon undeceived, for the
counts next remark was significant.
.'You are acquainted with the Lady Rosa
lind Valdai?" he said.
81 am" answered Ruric, now beginning
to wonder
'Well, sir,' resumed Damanoff, with
much haughtiness, perhaps my business
can be quickly and satisfactorily settled.
1t is my desire to make the Lady Rosalind
my wife"
Ruric Newell started at these words, and
he clasped his hands to hide their tremu-
lousness. But he was not long debating
upon an answer.
''And why have you come to me with this
information, sir?" he asked.
''You should know that already. Do you
not love the lady?''
''Sir Count, you ask me q strange ques-
ton. What right have you to question me
upon such a theme?'
'.The right that every man has to pave
the way for his own rights replied Damon
of, sharply. ''But if you choose not to
answer, let it pass. l know you do love
the lady. And now l ask you to renounce
all claims to her hand'
''Sir Count, your tongue runs into strange
moods Of speech. I renounce all claims to
Rosalind ValadIs hand?-was't so you
meant"
"Aye, sir-precisely So"
''Perhaps you will inform me what claims
may have in that quarter" Ruric replied
with some tremulousness i'll his tone, for the
very subject was one that moved him deeply.
'Ruric Newell, you shall not say that did
not make myself fully understood, and
hence | will explain" The count spoke
this as speaks a man who feels that he is do
ing very condescending thing, and in the
hp 11T,oapn1n1 EAVha 7 ,a1v Rpco-
lind is of noble parentage and very wealthy.
My own station and wealth are equal with
her. My station, at all events. She may
possess the undivided right to more property
than do. But that matters not. | love
her, and must have her for my wife. [ have
been to see the noble duke, her guardian,
and he objects not to my suit. But he in
formed me that there was one impeachment
and that was her love for you. He knows
full well-as l know, and as all must know
that she could never become your wife;
but yet he is anxious not to interfere too
much against her inclinations So a simple
denial from you, to the effect that you can
never claim her hand, is ali that is neces-
sary. You understand me, | trust. We
seek this only for the fair lady's own good.
OF course, you must be aware that the duke
would never consent to her union with you;
and yet he would wish to have your tenial to
show to Rosalind when he announces his de-
cision. Ihave paper here all drawn up, and
all that will be Necessary is simply your sigma
| ture. Here-it is only plain, simple ayoW-
al 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 paper from
the bosom of his marten doublet, and hay
ing opened it 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 cried, in a tone full of noble
indignation, what do you suppose l am?
Do you mean to tell me that Ogla, Duke of
Tula, has commissioned you to obtain such
q remuneration of me?"
stephen" spoke the count, turning to
| his companion, you heard the instructions
the duke gave me this morning?"
"Aye," returned Urzen, directing his
speech to Ruric, 81 did hear; and you have
stated the case plainly"
81 may be as much surprised as yourself"
resumed the count, haughtily, sat this strange
taste of the duke. Why he should seek this
signal from you | can only imagine upon his
desire to call up no regrets in the bosom of
his fair ward. He knows that she was once
| intimate with you, and that she now feels
warm friendship for you. For her sake he
would have this signal from you"
| 'But how for her sake?' asked Ruric.
| "Why," returned Damonoff, 'do you not
see? Rosalind, in the simplicity of her heart,
may think that you-a-that you might
claim her love; and out of pure principle
grant it to you simply because you were the
first claimant"
.''But never claimed her love-" said Ru-
ric, warmly. eff she loves me, she loves
me from her own heart. With the noble
duke l never spoke but once, and
then he came here for me to temper his
sword. If you would marry with the lady,
do SO; and if you seek help in the work,
seek it from rhose who have some power in
the matter"
''You mistake, sir" said the count, hotly,
II seek not p0tcer now. I only seek sim
pie word from one who may have some in
fuence-even as beggar, having saved the
life of king, may, through royal gratitude,
WELD an influence. Will you sign the
paper?'
Now, all this seemed very strange to Ru-
ric, and he knew that there was something
behind the curtain which he was not per-
mitted to know. He knew the proud and
stubborn duke well enough to know that he
never would have sent such message as
this but for some design more than had yet
appeared. In short, he could net under
stand the matter at ALL 1t looked dark and
complex; such conduct was in direct con-
flict with the nature OF the man from whom
it now appeared to have emanated. Ruric
pondered upon this few moments, and he
made up his mind that he would on 70 ac-
count yield an atom to the strange demand
thus made upon him.
''Sir Count" he said, calmly and firmly,
''you have plainly stated your proposition,
and will as plainly answer. cannot sign
the paper"
''HaF' gasped Damonoff, in quick passion.
''Do you refuse?'
''Most fatly.''
For afew moments the count gazed into
Ruric's face, as though he doubted the evil
dence of his own senses.
1T is the dukes command" he said, at
length.
'sTho Duke of Tula holds no power Of
command over me" was the gunmaker's
calm reply.
''Bewarel Once more I say: Sign this
paperr'
'You but waste your breath, Sir Count,
in speaking thus. You have my answer"
''By heavens! Ruric Newell, you shall
sign this p'the count cried, madly.
"Neyer, SIR"
''But look you, sirrah! Here is my whole
future of life based upon my hopes of union
with this fair girl. Her guardian bids me
get this paper of you ere [ can have her
hand. And now, do you think I'll give it
up SO easily? No! I'll have your name to
this, or I'll have your lifer'
CHOW your tongue runs away with you,
Sir Count. have given you my answer.
Be sure that only o ne man on earth can pre-
vail upon me to place my name upon that |
paper
''And who is he?''
II mean the emperor
"But you will sign itH' Missed Damonoff,
turning pale with rage. Here it is-sign!
If you would live-sgnn'
Perhaps he cannot write,' suggested
UZen, contemptuously
''Then he may make his mark rejoined
the count, in the same contemptuous tone.
sit might not require much more urging
to induce me to make my mark in a manner
not at all agreeable to you, SIR" the youth
retorted, with his teeth now set, and the
dark veins upon his brow starting more
plainly out. ''You have come upon my
premises, and you have sought your pur
pose. You now have your answer, and for
your own salle-for my sake-I beg you to
leave me- The above we publish as
specimen chapter; but the continuation Of
this story will be found only in the N. Y.
Ledger. Ask for the number dated Jan. 10,
which pop now ba ,ad ot news Ofaicn |