The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-02


thinking much of late, my mother-of
-of-Rosalind Valdai.n
Claudia Newell started as she heard
that name, and for the while the color
forsook her cheeks.
"What, my dear boy what of her
have you thought2" she asked tremul-
ously.
"What, but of one thing coold think
my mother? You have seen herr"
| Eyes, Ruric."
sand you have marked the grace
the loyeliness-the SURPRISING beauty
of the noble girl?"
| sq know she is beautiful, my son;
and also that she is good-ar least, so
think"
.aThen what but love could move me
with deep thought of herr On, my
mother, 1 do love her. 1 love her with
the whole strength OF my heart anu
isoul."
| love thee"
"You know not that" the youth
| ouickly replied, his eyes burning deep
Ily. and his open brow flushing. Did
1 not Know that she loved me. be sure
Ii would never have allowed my
thoughts such range Wewere 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 am sure her
love for me is not changed. save as in
creasing age must change all the emo
tions OF our natures iOto deeper,
stronger lights and shades"
But think, my boy: You are mere
artisan; she, the offspring OF nobility
and the ward of a duke-a Stern, cold,
.z%
people of our station only as harsh
den. / fear you will find little else but
misery IN such course of thought"
SAT least, my mother, 1 will see
RosaIind; and if she loves me as love
her, aud if she would accept my
hand"
Hush, my boy. Do not cherish
such hopes. Why should she mate
with thee iwhen the richest mobiles of
the land would kneel for her hand?"
"Hold," cried Ruric, starting so his
feet-hls handsome face flushed, and
his bright eye burning. Speak not
thus, at least, not now. f1atter not
myself, but claim a soul as pure. and
a heartas noble, as,any man in the land.
My mi nd is as clear;my hopes are as high
my ambition as true to real grea. ness
and my will as firm, as any of them. II
Rosalind seeks the love OF true heart,
and the protection of stout arms and
determined success, then l fear not to
place myself by The side of any sUitor
Ia the laud, But if she seeks imme-
date wealth, and The glitter for some
high t lie, then-ah, [ know
she does MOI. But lei it pass now; l
will see her."
Claudia would not oppose the wishes
of her sou, ard she said no more upon
the subject. For while nothing further
was said. until Ruric remarked upon
the increasing force of the storm.
"HarE?" exclaimed his mother,
bending her ear in a listening atti-
tude, Was that knock upon our
door?"
''Sarely no one is out on such a
night that could seek shelter here, 4"
continued Rnric. "You must have"
The youth did not finish his sentence
for al that moment the knock came so
loud that it was not to be mistaken.
The youth caught up the candle and
fastened to the door. He opened it,
but the blast came roaring in. Whirling
a cloud of snow into Rui les face, and
extinguishing the light at once.
us there any one bere?" the guHma-
ker asked. bowling lis head aud shield
ing his eyes from the driving snow
with one hand,
Yes" retnrnod ~oioo rom the
Stygfan darkness. SIN Heavens name
let me in. or l shall perish"
"Tben follow quickly" said Ruric.
"aere, give me your hand. There
now come"
The youth found the tbicklv-gloveG
haud-gloved viii the softest fur-and
having led the invisible applicant into
the hall he closed Che door, and then
led the way mo the kitchen. AS soon
as the candle was Te-lighted Ruric
turned and gazed upon the newcomer.
He was a monE-and hab1ted some
thing like one of he Black Monks Of
ST. Michael. He was of medium height
and possessed a Iotuadiiy of person
which was comical 10 behold He was
fat aud uuwieldy, and waddIed about
with laughable soeps. His huge. black
lobe, which reached from his chin 10 his
toes, was secured about The waist with a
sash OF the So me color, and the snow,
which lay upon his shoulders and back
presented a striking contrast. Rp,ic
brushed away che snow with his own
hand, and having taken his visi, or's
thick fur bonnet, the latter look a seat
near the fire.
Befo &c aword was spoken, The youth.
full host carefully e.amiued his guests
features: and the latter seemed equally
DESTROYS ofdiscovering what manner OF
people he he'd fallen in with. The
monk's face was peculiar one. The
features were very dark and promIn-
ent. and almost angular in thei.
strongi marked outlines His brow
was very faiI' in mental development.
and his eyes were dark and brilliant
The slight circle of hair that escaped
from beneath the tight skull cap which
he retained upon his head, was some
what tinged with silver, though his
face did not betray such advanced age
as This silvery hair would seem TO Ill
dictate.
you have been caught in severe
Storm. good fai her." said the youth,
alter his guest had somewhat recover
ed from the effects of the cold.
"Aye-that have l, my son." The
monk returned, in deep, rumbling
tone, Il left the KremIin this MORN
ing, little thinking of such change
This storm has commenced since
started OH my return. About half
a mile from here nv horse got founder
ed in the snow, aud / left him with an
honest peasant. and then started to
make the rest of my way on foot; but /
feckOned wildly The q living storm bin