The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-27
You know not that !" the Tot,1n 1uasc1 IVY

dreu together, and even then We loved.
rufe kss dealt differently by us 10 the years
that have passed since those chlidnooo
Gu,es. but set Lam sure Der love Tor me
ts not changed, save al Increasing age must
change all ahe emOtf Hons OF our natures INTO
deeper, stronger bis and shades" !.
- But think, my boy You, mere ar.i.
san; she, the offspring OF nobility ana sne
ward Of duke--a stern, cold, PROUD a arr
tocrst, who looks upon people OF 'our sia-
ton only as harsh masters look upon tneIr
beasts OF burden. / fear son will hnd t,tti !,
else bns misery In suef, a course OF thougnt.e
"At least, my mother, viii see hosa.
had; and II she loves me as.IsoVe nef'ah q
II she would accept my hand. Ii
/" Hush, my boy. DO not CHERISH suen
hones. ,Why sliou!d she mate with thee
when the richest mobiles Of the land would
kneel for her hand -.
&c HoId. .. cried Ruric. starting to bis feet,
his handsome face flushed, and bis bright
eve f,eaping. aSpeak not thns--at least'
not now. / flatter rot myself, but claim
soul as nure and beartas noble as any man
10 the land. MY mind Is as clear, my hopes
are az high, mS ambition as true to- real
greatness, and my villas firm as any OF them.
IS Rosalind seeks the love OF true heart,
and the projection OF STOUT arms and deter
mined success, then fear not to place my
self by the side of any sutton ia the land.
But if she seeks immediate wealth, and the
Glitter for some high-sounding title, then
ah. know she does not. But let it pass
now; I will see her.
Claudia would not oppose the wishes OF
her son, and she said no more upon the
subject. For awhile othing further " as
said, until Rurie remarked upon the In
creasipg force OF the storm.
"HaiE 4" exclaimed his mother, bend
ing her ear In listening attitude. "Was
that knock upon our door," -.
tmSure,y no one is out on such night
that could seek shelter here" continued
Ruric. ]" You must have g..
The youth did not finish bis sentence, for
at that moment the knock came so loud that
il was not to be mistaken. The youth caught
opencd it. but the blast came roaring in,
whiriine cloud OF snow into Ruric's face,
and extinguishng the light at once.
els theretany one bere?" the guumaker
asked, bowling his head and shielding bis
ewes from the driving snow with one hand.
"Yes," returned voice from the Stygian
darkness. "Iu Heavens name let me in, or
/ shall PERISH" 49,, 81
..Then follow quickly" said Ruric
" Here. give me your hand. There-now
come" .-.s ~. .....-...
The youth found the thickly-gloved
haud-gloyed with the softest fur-and bav-
ing led the invisible applicant into the ball,
be closed the door, and then led the way
into the Kitchen. As soon az the candle
was rclighted Ruric turned and gazed upon
the newcomer. he was monk-and bab-
tied something like one OF the Black Monks
of St. Michael. He was 81 medium height,
and possessed u rotupdity OF person which
was comicel 10 behold. He was fat and
unwieldy, and wadd!ed about with laugha-
bic steps. His huge, black robe, which
reached from bis chin to his toes, was Sc
cured about the waist with sash OF the
same color, and the snow, which lay upon
his shoulders and back, presented striking
contrast. Ruric brushed away the snow
With his own hand, and having taken his
visitors thick fur bonnet, the latter took
seat near the fire. ...
Before word was spoken, the youthful
host carefully examined his guests features;
and the latter seemed equally desirous OF
discovering what manner OF people he had
fallen ia with. The monks face was Pc
cuIiar one. The features were very dark
and prominent, and almost angular in their
stropgly-marked outlines. His brow was
very fair in mental development. and his
eyes were dark and brilliant. The slight
circle of hair that escaped from beneath the
tight skllll.cap which be retained upon bis
head was somewhat tinged with silver,
though his face did not bctray such adj
vanced age as this silycry hair would seem
to indicate. ,.. a....
"You have been caught in severe storm,
Fosl
had somewhat recovered from the effects oil
the cold.
"Aye-that have, my son." the monk
returned. in deep, rumb!ing tone. 81
| left the Krenlin this morning, little think.
ing of such change. This storm has COM
menced siuce l started on my return.
| About half mile from here my horse got
foundercd in the snow, and I left him with
an honest peasant, and then started to make
the rest of my way on foot; but rcckoned
wildly. The driving storm blinded me,
and the piiing drifts swallowed me up al
every dozen steps. Ny body is not very
well adapted to such work. Ha, ha, ha
But saw your light, and I determined &c
seek shelter here for the night. BY st.
Michael, but this is most severe storm
yet you are comfortable here" .
"Aye. father, we try 10 be comfortable
said RGric. 'fMy mother could hardly
survive awinter in some of the dwellings
which stand hereabouts." 5.'.
The monk made no answer to this save q
sort OF commendatory nod; and shortly at.
forwards the youth asked:
-"Do you belong here in the city, good
father?" =. 49, .z
"Aye-at present 1 do" the monk re-
piled. And then, with smile, he added:
81 suppose you would like to know whom
you have thus received? My name is Val.
d,mir. and my home is wherever I may
chance to be on GODS heritage. At present
| am residing here in Moscow. There
could YOU ask me- 10 be more frankt''
Ruric smiled, but he made no direct re.
ply. He was too deeply interested in the
face Of the monk to enter with much eager
ness into conversation. At, length the guest
asked II be could be accommodated with
some sleeping place, aud being answered iu
the affirmative, the youth lighted another
candle aud conducted him to chamber
which yves located directly over the kitchen,
an d which was very we'll warmed by means
| OF several iron tubes that connected with
the furnace below.
Mother" said Ruric, as soon as be had
returned to the Kitchen, fwho is that man 2 ,,
:. How should know?" ~. - g."
"But have you never seen him before 2"
Ruric, asked. In an earnest, eager tone.
81 cannot tell, my son. His face most
surely calls up some strange emotions In
my mind, but think, never saw him be.
FORE"
Sand set heiseems familiar to me-" the
sou resumed. "Those eyes / surely have
seen before, but to- save my soul I cannot