Cañon City record., 1901-08-29

wnlie have longed to cross play
full sword with you. l play we'll"
81 like you," the Greek returned
bluntly and kindly, "and if you beat
me ! will not like you less. | can af-
ford to be beat once, seeing that
thus far | have never been since first
offered to fence"
"Come, come" cried Peter, who
was impatient for the entertain
ment, "let's see the opening. Now.
stand aside, gentlemen"
Like twins stood those swords
men as their weapons crossed with
clear, sharp clang. The Greek led
off carefully, and Ruric as carefully
warded every stroke Then the for
mer assumed guard, and Ruric led
off in turn. Ere long the swords
clashed with sharper ring, and soon
sparks of fire flew out from the
changing steel. Louder and louder
grew the clang, and quicker and
quicker grew the strokes. The
thrusts were made with skill and
force, but as yet neither had been
touched.
The emperor was in ecstasy. He
clapro1 his hands and shouted bravo
with all his might.
BY and by Ruric's eye grew more
intense in its sparkling fire. His op-
ponent saw it, but he could not tell
what it meant. The youth was about
to risk the most daring feat of all he
knew. Steadily burned his eye, and
his lips were set ike steel. AT length
he saw that the Greek was playing
for a thrust, and he lowered his
point. Demetrius saw the chance,
and, drawing his arm quickly back,
he made the thrust with all his pow
er. He was sure now he had won,
for there was no earthly way in
which his point could be struck eli
ther down or up. But see! With a
gliding motion, motion almost i'm
per eptible. Rurie raises his sword,
and the other slides along upon its
side, and the other point, instead of
touching his breast, is caught in the
cross guard of his haft. Then, quick
as lightning and with all his might,
Rurie bends his elbow downward
with the whole weight of his mass
i've shoulder and throws his writ
upward. On that instant the Greek
sees and feels what meant that
strange fire of the eve. He feels his
point caught, but before he can close
his grasp more firmly the haft is
wrenched from his hand. 1t strikes
the yaulted ceiling with dull clang
and. descending, is caught fairly on
the hilt by Puric Newell
For a moment all is still as death
in that chamber. Ruric is the first
to break the silence. He advances
I to the Greek, and as he hands back
both the swords he says:
.'Demetrius, remember your
promise. | know you are brave
man. for can see it in your forgiy-
I ing glance. You will not like me the
less for this
"By heaven, MOI" the noble Greek
cries, dropping both the swords and
extending both hands, which the
gunmaker grasped- Il honor you, ]
love you"
Peter Alexiowitz, the impetuous
emperor. then in the zeal and fire of
f. youth. lesped from his standing
Z place and caught Ruric by the hand.
"By ST Michael" he cried ear
uestly and loudly. ''you stand clear
of ali blame. for full well do | know
that had sou so desired YOU could
have slain Conrad Damonotf at your
/ first thrust"
( sire" returned the youth, nov
speaking tremulously, twice did !
disarn The count and vet spare him.
And when in my rage broke his
weapon in twain to bring him to his
senses he seized a second sword"
"S:r duke, spoke the emperor,
turning toward Olga, who stood
trembling with rage and mortifica-
ton, ''you sec YOU must have labored
under a mistake. You can retire
now. Not word, sir"
/ With a puiyering lip and trem-
bling step the duke left the apart
ment, and after him went Stephen
/ Urzen.
"Now, Ruric Newell, if you leave
Moscow without my consent you 90
so at your peril l would not lose
sight of you. You are at liberty"
I In an hour more Ruric was upon
his mothers bosom. He told her all
that had happened. all but the last
words of the emperor. He did not
/ tell her Of thnsn for he knew NOT