CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1901-09-05
THE GUNMAKER OF MOSCOW
Continued from page 3

tulS. on nave slleu udppy HSnb
upon my dying hour. God bless
you'll"
Ruric's feelings were easily moved,
and there was something in the deep
solemnity of this occasion that
started his heart to tender mood,
and the last words of the dying man
flowed the cup. He bowed his head,
and, covering his eyes with one hand
while he held in the other the hand
of Conrad, he wept freely and 81
lcntly.
At this moment the woman arose
and left the room.
"She's gone" said the count after
he Lad recovered somewhat from
the deep emotions which had been
stirred within his own soul. "Sit
down here beside me"
Ruric obeyed the request, and aft
cr he had seated himself he gazed
sadly into the sick mans face.
"Say, Ruric," the count asked,
while an eager look overspread his
face, "wast true what Kopani told
me-that you overcame Demetrius
the Greek with the sword z"
81 did," the youth replied in a
whisper.
''But you did not disarm him 2
You did not fairly take his sword
from him z"
81 did, Conrad"
sNly soul. is if possible? And
where have you been all your life 7"
'1n Moscow and in Spain
"And vet obscure"
"Neyer mind that now" inter-
posed Ruric. 81 have something of
more interest. Do you But you
will pardon me for what ] may say,
for / assure you | mean it all for
your good:"
"Speak on" said Conrad, at the
same time running his ewes almost
enyiously over the gunmaker's no.
bly, developed breast and shoulders
"Then, first, | have just come
from the Lady Rosalind- All, l
meant not
$50 on. | may have felt pang
at the mention of that name, but |
know she loves you, and were |
strong at this moment as ever I'd
relinquish all claims of her TO you.
So fear not.
''Thank YOU. sir count, for this
But. was remarking, am not long
from her presence, and between us
both we have suspected some dark
things. DO you think the duke was
really your friend =
The count started. and a strange
CLEAN shot from his eyes.
$50 on, he uttered.
"Then listen. Before you ever
came to NV shop the duke had sol
EMMY promised Rosalind that she
should receive no more trouble from
you-that you would claim her hand
no more"
"Do you know this ?"
u do"
"But il cannot be. Why should
he have sent me on that mission to
you?"
81 had taught one of his officers
the sword exercise, and he knew |
was your superior in strength and
the use of the weapon"
well. go on. whispered the
count nervously and unxiously.
"Why, he thought very likely that
we should not meet on such ques-
tiou without Il quarrel He knew
your natural impetuosity and my
strength Of arm and hoped you
would fall.
"But-go onH'
'1lis estate is running out, and he
wants the whole of Drotzen."
"Ah, see ii now"
"The duke had proposed himself
for Rosalind's hand" resumed Ru-
ric. ale SAYS he has loved her long,
and he will force her to marry him
if he can, though he breaks her
heart"
"My Godw gasped the count
fairly starting up to sitting pos
ture. "Ilow blind have been! BY
my soul. he never was cordial, never
kindp
Ruric gently laid the sick man
back, and then he said:
"From all that ! can see and un-
derstand, the proud duke meant to
get all your wealth and all of Rosa
lind's."
The count spoke not yet. He lay
with his eyes closed and groaned in
agony at the strange revelations
that were breaking in upon him.
But. see, Why starts Ruric SO
suddenly. and whv does he turn so