Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-27

pass know you Glove the lady. And now
ask you 10 renounce all claims TO her hand.
Sir Count your tongue runs into strange
MOODS OF speech. Pronounce all claims TO Rosa
ina vald s hand:,was't so you meants"
perhaps you Will inform me what claims
may nave In That quarter" Ruric replied with
some tremulousness in his tone, for the very
"kuric Nevel. you shall not say thai ild not
make myself fully understood and hence win
saplaln." The count spoke this as speaks 0
man VINO feels that he Is doing a very contfe-
scending thing, andsn the same tone he pro-
eeedett: 1.-The Lady Rosallnd is OF noble parent-
age ; ant very wealthy: My own station and
events She may possess the undivided right
to more property than do. But that matters
moi: l love ner, ana must have her for my wife.
and he objects not TO my suit. But he informed
me that there was one impeachment, and that was
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 inclina-
tons SO simple denial from YOU, to the eject
necessary. You understand me. trust. We
seek this only for the fair lady's own good OF
never consent to her union with you; and yet he
would wish to have your denial to show to Rosa
lind when he announces his decision. ! have o
paper here all drawn up. and all that viii be ne
ceSsaSy Is simply your signature Here
It Is only plain, simple avowal on your part
that you have no hopes nor thoughts of seek
ing the hand CT the lady in marriage"
As the count spoke he drew paper from tho
to7om Of his marten doublet and having
opened II he handed it towards The gunmaker.
But RuTic took IL not. He drew back and
gaZed the visitor sternly in the face
sir Count" he cried, In a tone fun OF noble
Indignation, what do you suppose am? Do
you mean to tell me that Olga, Duke OF Tula,
hascommissioned you to obtain such rcnun-
citation OF me?"
stephen, spoke the count. turning to his
companion, '.you heard the instructions the
duke gave me this morning." '''' ''''
Ave" returned Urzen, directing his speech
to RuTic II did hear and you have stated tho
AZ may be as much surprised as yourself, /" re-
sumed the count haughtily, ''at this strange
taste of the duke. Why he should seek this
signal from you 1 can only imagine upon his
fair ward. He knows that she was once inti-
mate with you, and that she now feels warm
have this signal from you.'
"But how for her sake7" asked Ruric.
why" returned Damonoff. "do you not seer
Rosalind, in the simplicity OF her heart, may
think that you-a-that you might claim her
love: and out OF pure principle grant 1t to you
simply because you were the first claimant"
But But meyer , , claimed her love" said Ruric.
her own heart. With the noble duke never
spoke but once, and then he came here for mo
to temper his sword. If you would marry with
the lady, do SO; and II you seek help In the work,
seek 1t from those who have some power In tho
matter"
"You mistake sir said the count holly. ST
seek not p01rer now. only seek simple word
from one who may have some tnfiuence-even an
beggar, having saved the life OF king, may.
through roya! gratitude, WELD an influence.
VIII you sign the paper"
Now, all this seemed very strange to Ruric,
and he knew that there was something behind
the curtain which he was not permitted to
know. He knew the proud and stubborn duke
we'll pnOlr!ph tn know that he yvOuId n w
sent such message as this but for some design
more than had yet appeared. In short, he could
not understand the matter at all. It looked
dark and complex; such conduct was In direct
conflict with the nature OF the man from whom
1t now appeared to have emanated. Ruric pom
dered upon this few moments, and he made
up his mind that he would on no account 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. 1 cannot sign the paper"
Hal" gasped Damonod, in quick passion.
"po you refuSe?"
Most fatty"
For a few moments the count gazed into
Rurie's face, as though he doubted the evidence
Of bis own senses.
SIT is the dukes command, ;" he said at length.
1.-The Duke OF Tula holds no power OF COM
mand over me-" was the gunmaker's calm re-
Beware. Once more say: Sign this pa
"You but waste your breath, Sir Count In
| speaking thus. You have my answer"
"By heavens! Rurtc Newell, you shall sign
this !" the count cried, Eladly.
"Never, SIR"
"But look you, sirrahi Here Is my whole fu-
ture of life based upon my hopes of union with
this fair girl. Her guardian bids nae get this pa
| per of you ere can have her hand. And now.
| do you think I'll give 1t up so easily?" No! I'll
| have your name to this, or I'll have your lifel"
NOW your tongue runs away with you, Sir
| Count. have given you my answer. Be sure
| that only one man on earth can prevail upon me
to place my name upon that paper"
''And who is he?''
| az mean the emperor"
| ''But you will sign tt!n Kissed Damonof, turn
| ing pale with rage. 'Here it is-sign! If you
| would live-signl"
| "Perhaps he cannot write" suggested Urzen.
| cOntemptuously.
"Then he may make his mark, rejoined the
| count, in the same contemptuOus tone.
| induce me to make my mark In 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 purpose. You now have your answer,
| and for your own Sake-fOr my Sake-1 beg you
to leave me-" The above we publish as a Speci-
! men chapter; but the continuation of this story
| will be found only In the N Y. Ledger. Ask for
| the number dated Jan. 10, which can now be
| had at any news Office or bookstore. II you
are not within reach Of a news Office, you can
| have the Ledger mailed to you for one year By
| sending three dollars to Robert Bonner, pub