Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-07-26
, SYLyANUS COBB. il.

minutes Wnen the Otler party came
in sight around the head of thu
river: =: 'e5:
As soon as the count and his sec
ond arrived and the horses had beer
secured the lieutenant proposed that
they should repair to the building
which was close at hand. This was
a large open lighthouses which wa:
unused and deserted in the winter
and it was proposed to 60 in there
because the reflection Of the strong
sunlight from the bright snow was
calculated to blind and blur the eye
cha! What means that?" uttered
Orsa as he saw a sledge just turning
the bend of the river with an officer
in it.
.'EIt is only surgeon replied
Damonoff. 'F1 would not cut a
mans flesh without giving him q
fair chance to survive it. -
<And then you may. find him
serviceable to yourself, eh?" sug-
gested the lieutenant.
"Of course. There is no telling
what may happen
In moment more the new>sledge
came up, and Ruric recognized its
inmate as an army surgeon whom he
had seen before, though he knew not
his name.
|'Now for the old boathouse,''
cried Urzen.
"Aye," added Damonoff. <<Let US
have this business done, for I would
be back to dinner. I dine with Olga
today, and a fair maiden awaits my
coming"
<<Notice him not" whispered Or
sa, who walked close by Ruric's side.
''That is one. of his chief points
when engaged in an affair Of this
kind. He hopes to get. you angry
and so unhinge your nerves"
''Never fear" returned the gun
maker. ''Be sure he only brings
new danger to himself, for such ef-
forts will find their point in the
muscle of my ARM
The party halted when they
reached the interior of the roug oh
structure, and the count threw off
his pelisse and drew his sword. Ru-
ric followed his example.>
'*Sir count" the latter said as he
moved step forward, "ere we COM
mence this work l wish all present
to understand distinctly how l
stand. You have sought this quar-
rel from the first Without the least
provocation from me you have in
suited me most grossly, and this is
the climax So, before God and
man, be the result upon your own
head"
*tOut, lying knare''-
"Hold," cried the surgeon, laying
his hand heavily upon the counts
arm. *You have no right to speak
thus, for you lower yourself when
you do it. If you have come to fight,
90 so honoraGly."
| An angry reply was upon Damo-
noff's lips, but he did not speak it.
He turned to his antagonist and
said: -
@Will you measure weapons, sir !?
Mine may be a mite the longest.
seek no advantage, and l have one
here of the same len 9Th and weight
AS my Own if you wish it.
81 am we'll satisfied as it is" re-
iplied Ruric. n 49,.
'<Tben take your ground. Are you
:ready?"
81 am!'' .
The two swords were crossed in
an instant, with a clear, sharp ,clang.
- There was some contrast between
the, two combatants, but not much
apparently. The count was a. little
the taller and Ruric was somewhat
heavier. But to a close observer
there was a peculiar contrast in the
bearing of the two men. That
breast swelling out so nobly and
those massive shoulders, made for
| .>:E $500, - ):
| =, - az; 80. i
-. ,.s..---. ~. : --~.~ It! Z,
the seat Of physical power, were :Ru-
RIGS alone to possess. Yet Conrad
EDamonoff was accounted a strong
man. In tha athletic sports Of the
cour; club he had few superiots and
not many equals. But Ruric Newell
had never shown his strength there.
p Now, for the first time, that CON
temptuous look passed: from the
counts face. As his eye caught his
antagonists position, as he MOTTO
led the calm, dignifed, quiet ease
Of every limb and as he caught the
deep, mystic fire of those expressive
eyes he knew that he had no COM
mon amateur to deal with. 5@. -
At length Conrad Damonoff start
ed back, and q quick cry escaped his
Hips. His antagonist point had
odchad his bosom. It had pressed