Daily Republican., 1879-12-30

tuo VlsltOr steTnly III lHo lace.
"Sir Count" he cried, in a toue full
of noble indignation, "what do you
suppose ! ann D. yon mean to tell
me that Olga, Drk. Of Tula, has COM
missioned you to obtain such renuu-
citation of me ?"
Stephen" spoke the count, turning
20 his companion, "you heard the in
structions the duke gave me this moru-
ing :"
"Aye," returned Urzea, directing his
speech to Ruric, 81 did hear and you
h We stated the case plainly"
~ may be as much surprised as
YOURSELF" resumed the count, haughti
ly, sat this strange taste of the duke.
Why h4 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 foi you.
For her sake he would have this signal
from you"
"But how for her sake ?" asked
Ruric.
why" returned Damonoff, edo
you not See 2 Rosalind, in the simpli-
city of her heart, may think that you-
all that you might claim her love
ard out of pure principle grant it to
you simply because you were the first
claimant"
But | never claimed her love-" said
Ruric, warmly. ''lf she loves me, she
loves me from her own heart. With
the noble duke never spoke but once,
and then he came here for me to tenn
per his sword. If you would marry
with the lady, do SO; and if you seek
help in the work, seek it from those
who have some power in the matter"
"You mistake, SIR" said the count.
hotly. 81 seek not power now. l only
seek simple word from one who may
have some ipfuence-even as beggar,
having saved the life of a king, may,
through royal gratitude, WELD an in.
fuence. Will you sign the paper %
Now, all this seemed very strange to
Ruric, and he knew that there was
behind the curtain which
he was not permitted to know. He
knew the proud and stubborn duke
we'll enough to know that he never
would have sent such message as
this but for some design more than
had yet appeared. In short, be- could
not understand the matter at all. 1t
looked dark and complex; such conduct
was in direct conflict 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 no ac-
count yield an atom to the strange de-
mand thus made upon him.
"Sir Count" he said, calmly and
firmly, "you have plainly stated your
proposition, and will as plainly an
swer. Icarnot sign the paper"
"Ha !" gasped Damonoff, in quick
passion. $50 you refuse ?"
"Most fatty"
For few moments the count gazed
into Ruric's face. as though he
doubted the evidence of his own SEN
SEES.
at is the dukes command, he said,
at length.
"The Duke Of Tula holds no power Of
over me-" was the eunmak.
er's calm reply.
Beware Once more | say: Sign
this paper ~
"You but waste your breath, Sir
Count. in sneakipp thus. You have nv
answer
Bv heavens Ruric Newell. YOU shall
sign this !" the count cried, madly.
nNeyer. sir.n
"But look YOU, sirrah Here is nv
Vhole future of life based upou nv
,onea of union with thi, fair girl. Her
,uardian bids me get this paper of YOU
re- can have her hand. And now,
10 Won think I'll give it up SO easily
vi I,,l have your name to this. or
III have your life"
"Now vo7r tongue rms AWAY with
,ou Sir Count. I have given Won nv
nswer. Re- sure that only one man on
arth can prevail upop me to place nv
ana mon that naner.n
"And who ia he :"
81 mean the emneror.u
"But Won will sign II i, Kissed Dam
noff turning pale with rage, "Here
SIGN If Won would liveesign ="
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