Warren sheaf., 1901-07-11

| loru 70 De beat once, seeing tnat
thus far | have never been since first
offered to fence.'
Come, come" cried Peter, who
was impatient for the entertain
ment, lets see the opening. Now,
stand aside, gentlemen" "
Like twins stood those swords
men as their weapons crossed with a
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
1clashed 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
clapped his hands and shouted bravo
with all his might. III. .
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 like 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 Ell
ther down or up. But see! With a
gliding motion, a motion almost i'm
perceptible, Ruric raises his sword,
and the other slides along upon it's
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,
Ruric bends his elbow downward
with the whole weight of his mass
i've shoulder and throws his wrist
upward. On that instant the Greek
sees and feels what meant that
strange fire of the eye. He feels his
point caught, but before he can close
his grasp more firmly the haft is
wrenched from his hand. It strikes
the vaulted ceiling with a dull ,clang
and, descending, is caught fairly on
the hilt by Ruric Nevel.
For a moment all is still as death
in that chamber. Ruric is the first
to break the silence. He advances
to the Greek, and as he hands back
both the swords he says:
"Demetrius, remember your
promise. I know you are brave
man, for I can see it in your forgiv-
ing glance. You will not like me the
less for this b.. ,- +"
'tBy heaven, mop the noble Greek
cries, dropping both the swords and
extending both hands, which the
gunmaker grasped. '*1 honor you, I
love you."
Peter Alexiowitz, the impetuous
emperor, then in the zeal and fire of
youth, leaped from his standing
place and caught Ruric by the hand.
':By St. Michael" he cried ear
nestly and loudly, @'you stand clear
of all blame, for full well do I know
that had you so desired you could
have slain Conrad Damonof at your
first thrust"
@fSire,'' returned the youth, now
speaking tremulously, "twice did I
disarm the count and yet spare him.
And when in my rage I broke his
weapon in twain to bring him to his
senses he seized a second sword.'' =
''Sir duke, spoke the emperor,
turning toward Olga, who stood
trembling with rage. and mortifca-
tion, E'you see you must have labored
under a mistake. You can retire
now. Not a word, STRIP
| With quivering lip and trem-
bling step the duke left the apart
ment, and after him went Stephen
Urzen.
''Now, Ruric Nevel, if you leave
Moscow without my consent you doj
so at YOUR peril. I would not lose
sight Of you. You are at liberty"
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 those, for he knew not
whether they BODIED him good or
evil. L. ... e.. I