The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-08-17
have that power. +"

own husbands"
Rosalind made no oral answer,
but her look showed that she sym
pathized with the sentiment.
"My Mistress" at length spoke
Zenobie again, this time in a low
whisper, "why may we not leave
this place."
Rosalind started as though she
had heard the speech of a spirit, and
for a moment look of hope gleam-
ed upon her face. But it quickly
passed away.
"Alas, where should we gow
This was a part of the plan which
Zenobie had not thought of, and
ere she could make any reply one of
the female domestics entered the
apartment and announced that
woman wished TO see her young mis-
tress. Rosalind asked who it was,
but the girl could only tell her that
it was middle aged woman and
very good looking. The young
countess babe Zenobie go down and
conduct her up. Ere long after
ward the attendant returned, and
with her came Claudia Newell. Ros-
alind had not seen the good woman
for over a year, but she knew her at
once, and, starting up from her seat,
she bounded forward and embraced
her warmly.
"Ah, Aunt Claudia, ! am glad you
have come! You will let me call
you aunt, as / did in those happy
times long gone by?"
"Aye, sweet Rosalind," returned
the widow, imprinting a warm kiss
upon the fair white brow.
The countess noticed the strange
sadness of the woman's tone, and
then, for the first time also, she
noticed the sadness Of her look.
"Aunt Claudia, you look sad" she
said, while chill dread struck to
her own heart.
"Aye," the widow uttered, as
though she were afraid to venture
the question she wished to ask; Il
have been very sad because ] have
had a terrible fear Has--has not
Ruric been here Z"
"When?" uttered the maiden,
catching the whole fear now.
within these three days"
Just then. Day before yester-
day he was herein the forenoon"
"And | have not seen him sincep
the poor woman groaned.
"Not seen him? Ruric gone? Oh,
where, where ?"
Gle said he was going to see the
Count Damonoff when he left here"
interposed Zenobie, who joined in
the grief
"Aye; so he told me-" returned
the mother. 81 have been there,
and they have not seen him since
that evening. The surgeon who at
tends the count went out to the inn
where Ruric put up his horse, and
the animal was still there, his own
er having not called for him"
40 God, have mercyw calculated
the young countess in paroxysm
OF grief
AT this moment there came a rap
upon the door. and Zenobie went to
answer the summons. 1t was the
black monk, Vladimir, who thus de-
manded admittance. At any other
time both Rosalind and Claudia
might have been startled by the
strange visit, but now they instinc-
lively hailed his coming as a source
OF hope.
Ladies' spoke the fat monk, APP
preaching the spot where they stood
and bowling very low, "you will par
don this unseemly method Of gain
ing admission here, but | had no
ether choice, for i feared the duke
would refuse me did / apply to him.
i have come to learn, if possible,
whore Ruric Nevel may be +"
The widow tried to answer, but
instead of speaking she burst into
tears. Rosalind struggled a moment
with the deep emotions that stirred
within her, and she, too, fell to
weeping. Zenobie was obliged TO
answer
Good father" said she, Eve here
are after the same knowledge. His
poor mother has come here to try
if she might find some clew to the
noble youth, and thus did my mis-
tress gain the first intelligence that
he was gone. Pray, good sir, do you
know anything about him? What
have you heard?"
Both Claudia and the young
countess now raised their heads, for
they would hear what reply the
monk could make.
81 only know that he is missing"
L