Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-07-04
CHAPTER vi.
REFORE THE EMPEROR

ing quickly forward.
'Hold, my son." uttered the
monk, laying his hand upon the
young mans arm. "Surely you have
nothing to fear. It was none of
your work, no more than if you had
run your sword to the heart of
wild beast that had attacked you"
''But I did not touch his heart"
quickly returned the youth. 81 was
careful of that. I would have struck
him upon the head with the fiat of
my sword, but I feared I might
break his skull"
*'He is not dead yet" answered
the surgeon as Ruric pressed for;
ward and asked the question a Sec
ond time. ''He has only tainted
from the shock of the blow, coupled
with his own fears and passions."
"But will he die?" Ruric ASKED
kneeling down by the fallen mans
side.
'1 cannot yet TELL" the doctor.
said, at the same time wiping the
blood away, which was flowing free
~.
'cBut why not probe the wound
now?" suggested the monk. *'Now
is the best time, for the place is not
yet infamed, and while he is thus in
sensible he VII be free from pain"
The surgeon at once saw the
truth and propriety of this, and he
proceeded to act upon the sugges-
ton. Having selected a probe which
appeared applicable, he examined
the wound. Ruric watched him ca:
gerly and with a painful expression.
4 II do not think this wound is
mortal" the surgeon reported as he
carefully felt his way along the
course the steel had taken. 1T has
passed below the right lung and on
ly seyered some of the smaller blood
vessels. I think, with proper care,
he may reco!er.""
"Thank Godp' fervently ejaculat-
ed Ruric, with his hands clasped.
''But why so anxious ?" asked Ur-
zen. "You we're ready enough to
accept his challenged"
"Aye, else you would have called
me coward" returned the gunmak-
er, with flashing eye. FHad I re-
fused to meet him that fatal word
would have met me at every turn. T
knew that such man as he was no
cope for me at any game where
strength Of arm and sleight of hand
were required. So I meant to dis
arm him and then give him up his
life, believing that such a move
would end the combat. You know
how I labored to spare him. But I
could not. Yet I would not have the
life of fellow being, a countryman,
upon my hands in such a quarrel.
My father died fighting for his coun-
try, and so would I die if my death
must come from the hand of man.
But to die thus would be a curse
upon my name, and to inhict such
death upon another would be curse
in my memory
ri believe you, my son." the monk
said. <|Only if the count dies you
should not allow such feelings as
you mention to overcome you. In
no way are you to blame for this"
''True, father. You speak truly"
added the surgeon. F"The young
man has acted most nobly, and no
blame can be attached to him.
Ruric seemed somewhat relieved
by these assurances, and, having
seen the counts wound dressed and
assisted in bearing the insensible
form to the sledge, he took Alaric's
proffered arm and proceeded to his
own team.
'Who is that monk? ?" asked the
lieutenant as they entered their
sledge.
ri only know that he is called
Vladimir" returned Ruric. F1 have
only seen him once befoSe. Have
you ever seen him ere this? ?"
, eyes; several times about our bar
racks. He has been there when
some of our poor fellows have been
sick and dying. He seems to be a
good hearted man and, I judge,
quite intelligent"
81 agree with you there,'' our hero
said. 81 think he is a good man, but
there is nevertheless mystery
about him which I cannot solve.
His countenance is familiar to me,
and yet I cannot tell where nor when
Ihave seen him." .- z.-
"Aye," added Alaric quickly and
eagerly; <that is precisely the case
with me. I am very sure that I have
seen that man under different cir
cumstances. And others of our com
pany have thought the same" 4,
= The two men watched the move