The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-27

again, and until then I 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 him
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 con-
nected thoughts. ~
After the monk had gone Ruric re-
turned to his bench and resumed his
work. He asked his boy if he had ever
seen the strange man before, but Paul
only shook his head, and answered du-
biously.
"What do you meant" the gunmaker
asked, looking the boy in the face. "Do
you think you have seen him beforeT'
81 can not tell, my master. l 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 Paups face, and
he fancied he detected some show of in
telligence there which had not been
spoken. But he resolved to ask no more
questions at present. He had asked
enough, he thought, upon such subject,
and he made up his mind to bother him
self no more about it, feeling sure that if
his boy knew anything which would be
for his masters interest to know it would
be communicated in due season. So he
applied himself anew to his work, and at
noon the pistols were finished.
Towards the middle of the afternoon,
Just as Ruric had finished tempering
some parts of a gun-lock, the back door
of his shop was opened and two men Ell
tered. They were young men, dressed in
costly furs, and both of them stout and
good-looking. The gunmaker recognized
| them as the Count Conrad Damonof and
his friend Stephen Urzen.
"I 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 in the habit of calling at his
place to order arms.
The count turned shade paler than
before, and his neither lip trembled; but
Ruric thought that might be the result of
coming from the cold into warm atmos-
phere. However, he was soon unde-
ceived, for the counts next remark was
significant.
"You are acquainted with the Lady
Rosalind ValGai" he said.
"I am," answered Ruric, now begin
ming to wonder.
"Well, sir" resumed Damonoff, with
much haughtiness, "perhaps my business
can be quickly and satisfactorily settled.
1t is my desire to make the Lady Rosa
lind my wife,"
Ruric Newell started at these words
and he clasped his hands to hide theil
tremulousness. But he was not long de-
batting upon an answer. .....
"And why have you come to me with
this information, sirT' he asked. ae.
"You should know that already. Do
you not love the ladyT'
"Sir Count you ask me a strange
question. What right have you to
question me on such themew
"The right that every man has te
pave the way for his own rights" re
piled Damonoff, sharply. "But if yo,
choose not to answer, let it pass.
know you do love the lady. And now
ask you to renounce all claims to he
hand"
"Sir Count, your tongue runs int
strange moods Of speech. ! renounce al
claims to Rosalind Valdai's hand?-
VAST so you meantw
"Aye, sir-precisely so.'
"Perhaps you will inform me wha
claims / may have in that quarter,
Ruric replied, with some tremulousnes
in his tone, for the very subject was on
that moved him deeply.
"Ruric Newell, you shall not say that
did not make myself fully understood
and hence will explain" The Coun
spoke this as speaks man who feel
that he is doing a very condescendin
, thing, and in the same tone he prt
, ceeded: "The Lady Rosalind is of nobl
! parentage and very wealthy. My ow
! station and wealth are equal with her
My station, at all events. She may POI
sess the undivided right to more propel
!. ty than l do. But that matters not.
t love her, und must have her for m
, wife. have been to see the noble duk
her guardian, and he objects not to m
: suit. But he informed me that thel
was one impediment, and that was hi
e love for you. He knows full well-as
l know, and all must know-that she coul
\ never become your wife; but yet he
anxious not to interfere too much again
\ her inclinations. So simple deni
from you, to the effect that you ca
e never claim her hand, is all that is nece
sary. You understand me, trust. "
. seek this only for the fair lady's ow
good. OF course, you must be AVA
n that the duke would never consent
i her union with you; and yet he wou
e wish to have your denial to show
= Rosalind when be announces his decisio
o / have paper here all drawn up, and a
!? that will be necessary is simply your 81
t nature. Here-it is only a plain, simp