The New York herald., 1879-12-29
LITERATURE.

dered again. This had become habit with him of
late Sometimes he would sit thus during whole
hour without speaking or moving. and his
mother did not interrupt him. as she supposed no
might be solving some mechanical problem that had
arisen 60 bother him. But these Ats of thought had
become too frequent. too lengthy and too moody for
such hypothesis. aud the good woman was forced
to believe that they caused by something more
remote than the business OF the forge or the lathe
The youth now sat with his brow resting upon his
an hour he had not moved, and his face wore an
anxious. troubled look.
low. kind tone. what is it that occupies your
thoughts so muchT' $3.50
The young man started and turned his gaze upon
Ibid you speak to me. motherf' he asked. after
having recalled his mind to things about him.
asked you what il was that ooou pied your Thoughts.
As she spoke thus she moved her seat close to
Tell me. my boy" she added. In low persuasive
Tone. "what 1t u that dwells thus upon your
mindY'
Ruric reached out and took his mothers hand,
and having gszed for some moments into her face.
.I was thinking-and have been thinking much
OF late. my mother-of-of-RosalindV Valdai."
Claudia Newell started as sne heard that name, and
for the while the color forsook her cheeks:
'what. my dear boy--what of her have you
thonght?' she asked. tremulously.
You have seen her?"
Eyes. Ruric."
"And you have marked the grace-the loveliness-
the SURPRISING beauty of the noble girlY
II know she Is beautiful. my son; and also that
she is good-at least, so think"
Thoughts of her? Oh. my mother. do love her. I
love her with the whole strength of my heart and
SOUL"
"Alas my Ruric. she will never dare love thee"
"You know not that, the youth quickly replied,
his eyes burning deeply and his open brow flushing:
have allowed my thoughts such range. We were
children together. and even then we loved. Fate
has dealt differently by us In the years that have
passed since those childhood times; but yet I am
sure her love for me is changed increas-
ing age must change all the emotions OF natures
into deeper stronger lights aud shades"
'But think. my boy. You. . mere artisan: she.
stern, cold proud aristocrat who looks upon people
OF station only as harsh masters look upon their
beasts Of burden fear yor will find little else but
'.At least my mother. I will see Rosalind. and If
she loves me as Ilove her. and If she would accept
'.Hush. my boy. Do not cherish such hopes.
Why should she mate with thee when the richest
MOBILES of the land would kneel for her hsnd?"
"Hold," cried Ruric, starting to his feet-his hand
some face flushed ana his bright eye burning.
''speak not thus-at least. not now. Aatter not
myself, but claim soul as pure and a heart as
noble any man in the land. My mind is as clear;
my hopes are AS high my. ambition as true to real
Rosalind seeks the love Of true heart and the pro-
lection of stout arms and determined success. then
In the land But il she seeks Immediate wealth and
the glitter Of some high sounding title. then-ah
know she does not. But let 1t pass now; will see
Claudia would not oppose the wishes of her son,
and she said no more upon the subject. For while
nothing further was said until Rurc remarked
upon the increasing force of the storm.
''Harki" exclaimed his mother. bending her ear in
listening attitude. "wss that knock upon our
.'surely no one is out on such night that could
seek shelter here" continued Ruric. "You must
The youth did not finish his sentence. for at that
moment the knock came SO loud that it was not to
hastened to the door. He opened It, but the blast
came roaring in, whirling cloud OF snow into Ru-
there reu any one hsrs the asked
bowling his head and shielding his eyes from the
yes returned = voice from the styg,an dark
ness. I'm Heavens name let me In or shall
perish"
me your hand There-now come
The youth found the thickly gloved hand-gloved
applicant into the hal. he closed tho door and then
led the way into kitchen. As soon as the candle
was reighted Ruric turned and gazed upon the new
one of the Black Monks of st. Michael. He was of
medium height and possessed rotundity Of
Tat and unwieldy and waddled about with
lauehablc steps. His huge, black robe.
secured about the waist with sash of the same
color. and the snow. which lay upon his shoulders
aud back presented .n striking , contrast, hmrc
having taken his visitors thick fur bonnet the lat
ter took seat near the fire.
fully examined his guests features. and tho latter
seemed equally desirous Of discovering what
ner of people he had fallen in with. The monks
face was . peculiar one. The features were very
dark and prominent and almost angular in their
strongly marked outlines. hs ai brow was very fair
brilliant The slight circle OF hair that escaped
from beneath the tight skull cap which he retained
though his face did not betray such advanced age
as this silvery hair would seem to indicate.
''You have been caught In severe storm. good
Father" said the youth. after his guest had some
what recovered from the effects Of the cold.
that %y ne enn as
morning. little thinking OF such o change This
storm has commence since started on my return.
About half mile from here my horse got foundered
in the snow, and left him with honest peasant,
and then started make the rest Of my way foot
me. and the piling drifts swallowed me up at every
dozen steps. My body Is not very well adapted to
sns Ge he.sr ess for ths n1s ana
st. Michael but this Is most severe storm yet you
are comfortable here
Ruric, my mother could hardly survive winter
in some of the dwellings which stand hereabouts"
The monk made NO answer to this save sort OF
commendatory mod; and shortly aftcrward the youth
asked:- -
"Aye-at present do" the monk replied. And
then. with smile, he added:-"I suppose you
would like to know whom you have thus received?
may chance 10 be ON Gods heritage. At present
residing here in Moscow. There-oould you ask
Ruric smiled but he made no direct reply. He
deeply interested In the face OF the monk to
cnter with much eagerness into conversation At
length the guest asked II he could be accommodated
with some sleeping place. and being answered in
the Affirmative. the youth lighted another candle
aud conducted him to chamber which was located
directly over tho kitchen. and which was very well
warmed by means Of several iron tubcs that con-
nected with the furnace below.
''Mother," said Ruric. rs soon a. he had returned
to tho kitchen, "who is that msnY'
"How should known
"But have you never seen him beforcr' Ruric
asked, In an earnest, eager tone.
Il cannot tell. my His face most surely calls
up some strange emotions in my mind. but think
never him before"
Aud ye. he seems familiar to NO." the
sumed. "Those eyes surely have seen before. but
to my soul I cannot remember when or
where"
And so Ruric pondercd and pondcred. but TO no
avail After ho had retired to his bed he lay awake
and thought Of the strange face, and all through the
night his dreams but startling visions Of tho
Black Monk.
CHAPTER II.