Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-15
FMflk G(EQMa&&R
OF MOSCOW
BY SYLVANUS COBB, JEs.

sure that IT his boy knew anVthlng
which would be for his masters in
terest to know 1t would be commu-
nicated in due season. So he ap-
piled himself anew to his work, and
at noon the pistols we're finished.
Toward the middle of the after
noon. just as Ruric had finished
tempering some parts of gun lock,
the back door of his shop was open
ed, and two men entered. They
were young men, dressed in costly
furs and both of them stout and
good looking. The gunmaker rec
ognized them as the Count Conrad
Damonoff and his friend Stephen
Urzen.
81 think speak with Ruric Ne
vel?" said the count, moving for
ward.
'You do" returned Ruric, not at
all surprised by the visit, since peo-
pie of all classes were in the habit
of calling at his place to order
arms.
The count turned a shade paler
than before, and his neither lip trem-
bled. But Ruric thought that might
be the result of coming from the
cold into a warm place. However,
he was soon undeceived, for the
counts next remark was significant: ::
"You are acquainted with the La
dy Rosalind Valdai?'' he said.
1 am" returned Ruric. now be-
ginning to wonder.
. "Well, sir" returned Damonoff,
with much haughtiness, "perhaps
my business can be quickly and sat
isfactorily settled. 1t is my desire
to make the Lady Rosalind my
wife,
Ruric Newell started at these
words, and he clasped his hands to
hide their tremulousness. But he
was not long debating upon an an
swer.
"And why have you come to me
with this information, sir" he ask
ed.
sYou should know that already.
Do you not love the LADY,"
"Upon my soul, sir count, you
ask me strange question. What
right have you to question me upon
such theme"
'The right that every man has to-
pave the way for his own rights, "
replied Damonoff sharply. 'fBut if
you choose not to answer let it pass.
I know you do love the lady, and
now I ask you to renounce all
claims to her hand"
"By st. Paul, sir count, your
tongue runs into strange moods of
speech! l renounce all claims to
Rosalind Valdai's hand! Vast so
you meant"
"Aye, sir, precisely So"
"Perhaps YOU will inform me
what claims l may have upon the
lady," Ruric returned, with some
tremulousness in his tone, for the
very subject was one that moved
him deeply.
"Ruric Nevel, you shall not say
that l did not make myself fully
understood, and hence l will ex-
plain.' The count spoke this as
speaks a man who feels that he is
doing a very condescending thing,
and in the same tone he proceeded:
EThe Lady Rosalind is of noble
parentage and very wealthy. My
own station and wealth are equal
with hers-my station, at all events.
She may possess the undivided right
to more property than | do; but
that matters not. l love her and
must have her for m wife. | have
been to see the noble duke, her
guardian, and he objects not to my
suit, but be informed me that there
was one impediment, and that was
her love for you. He knows full
well, as | know, and as all must
know, that she could never become
your wife; but yet he is anxious not
to interfere too much against her
inclinations. So a simple denial
from YOU to the effect that you can
never claim her hand is all that is
necessary. You understand me, I
trust. We seek this only for the fair
lady's own good. Of course you
must be aware that the duke would
never consent to her union with
you, and yet he would wish to have
your denial to show to Rosalind
when he announces his decision. |
have a paper here all drawn up,
and all that will be necessary is SIM
ply your signature. Here. 1t is
only a plain, simple avowal on your
part that you have no hopes nor
thoughts of seeking the hand Of the
lady in marriage"