National Republican., 1879-12-27

grounds for your strange fancies; but assure
you most sacredly that until last night never
came In direct compauionship with you be-
fore---at any rate, not TO my knowledge. You
have acted the Good Samaritan toward me,
aud hope may some time return the favor"
mo, no." quickly responded the youth; "if
you return 1t, then it will DO favor no more.
l have only done for you what every man
should do for his neghbor; and so far from
needing thanks formy services I would rather
give them for the occasion, for | know of no
source of joy so pure and uncontaminatcd as
that feeling in the soul which tolls US we have
done a good act"
The dark monk reached forth and took the
youthful artisans hand, and, with more than
ordinary emotion, said
you touch tho harp.strlngs Of the soul with
noble hand my son; and If any deed Of kind
ness can give me JOY 1t will bo a deed for you.
Wc may meet again, aud until then eau only
say God bless and prosper thee"
With these words the monk turned away,
ana Gre Ruric could command presence of mind
enough to follow him ho had gono from the
house. Tho youth wished to say something
but amid the varied emotions that went leap
ing through his mind he could gather no con-
nected thoughts.
Anor the monk had gone Ruric returned TO
his bonch and resumed his work lie asked
his boy if he had ever seen tho strange man
before, but Paul only shook his head and an
swored dubiously.
"What do you mean ~ the ginmaker asked
looking the boy in the face. "Do you think
you have seen him before 2"
II cannot tell my master. 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 gazcd into Paul's face, and he fauciod he
detected some show of intelligence thoro which
had not been spoken. But ho 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 himself no
more about It, feeling sure that If his boy
know nything which would bo for his mas
ters interest to know IL wonld be commu-
nicated 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 Rurc bad finished temperng some parts OF a
gun-lock, the back door of his shop was opened
and two men entered. They were young men,
dressed in costly furs, and both of them stout
and good-lOoking. The gunmakor recognized
them as tho Count Conrad Damonoff and his
friend Stephen Urzen.
81 think / speak with Ruric Newell" said
the count moving forward.
You do" returned Ruric, not at all sur.
prsed by tho visit, since people of all classes
were in tho habit of calling at his place to
order arms.
The count turned q shade palcr than before,
and his neither lip trembled; but Ruric
thought that ght be the result of coming
from the cold into warm atmosphere. How
| ever, lie was soon undecieved, for the counts
next remark was significant.
"You arc acquainted with the Lady Rosa
| lind Valdai p he said.
! II am" answered Ruric, now beginning to
| wonder.
"Wol, SIR" resumed Damonof, with much
haughtiness, perhaps my business can be
| quickly and satisfactorily settled. 1t is my
desire to make tho hady Rosalind my wife,"
Ruric Newell started at these words, and he
clasped his hands to hide their tromulous-
ness. But he was not long debating upon an
answer.
"And why have you como TO me with this
information ir2" he asked.
| "You should know that already. DO you
| not love the lady p
"Sir Count, you ask me strange question.
What right have you TO question mo upon
such theme"
| "The right that every man has to pave the
way for his own rights" replied Damonof.
| sharply. But If you choose not to answer,
lot ID pass. I know you do love the lady.
Aud now ask you to renonnce all claims to
| her hand"
moods of speech. Ironounce all claims to
Rosalind Valdais hand P-Was't so you
meant ?"
| "Ayc, sir-precisely so.'
| "Perhaps you will inform me what claims l
may have in that quarter" Ruric replied,
| with some tremulousness in his tOno, for the
| very subject was one that moved him deeply.
"Ruric Nevel, you shall not say that did
not make myself fully understood, aud hence
| will explain" The count spoke this as
speaks q man who foels that he is doing very
condescondlng thing, and in the same tone ho
proceeded: "The Lady ROsalind is of noble
parentage and very wealthy. My own station
and wealth are equal with hers. My station,
at all events. She may possess the undivided
| right to moro property than / do. But that
matters not. l love hor, aud must have her
| for my wife. l have been to see the noble
duke, hor guardian aud he objects not to my
| suit. But he Informed me that there was one
| impediment, and that wus her love for you.
| He knows full well-as | 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 inclnati0us So q SIM
| pie denial from you, to the effect that you can
| never claim her hand, Is all that is necessary.
| You understand me. | trust. We seek this
| only for the fair ady's own good. OF course,
you must be aware that tho duke would never
consent to her union with you and yet ho
| would wish to have your denial to show TO
| Rosalind when he announces his decision,
have paper here all drawn up and all that
| Will DO necessary ls SIMPLY your signature.
Here-it is only plain, simple ayowal on
| your part that you have no hopes nor thoughts
Of seeking tho hand of tho lady in marriage"
As the count spoke ho drew papor from
| the bosom Of his marten doublet, and having
opened it he handed ittowards the gunmaker.
| But Ruric took 1t not. He drew back and
gazed the visitor sternly in the face
"Sir Count" he cried, in tone fun of noble
indignation, what do you suppose am DO
you mean to toll me that Olga, Duke oil Tula,
has commissioned you to obtain such re-
nunciation of me"
stephen" spoke the count, turning to his
companion, you heard the Instructions the
duke gave me this morning"
| "Aye" returned Uraen directing his speech
to Rurlc, 81 did hear aud you have stated the
case plainly"
81 may be as much surprised as YOURSELF"
resumed tho count, haughtily, "at this strange
taste of tho 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 init.
mato with you, and that she now feels Il warm
| friendship for you. For her sake he would
| have this signal from you"
but how for her sake ?" asked Rurlc,
"Why," returned Damonofl, 'do you not see
Rosalind in the simplicity of her heart, may
think that you-a--that you might claim her