Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-07-19

haughty-but gentleness and love
were the true elements of her soul,
and she could only be happy when
she knew that She was truly loved.
She liked respect, but she spurned
that:respect which only aims at out
ward show, while the: heart may be
reeking with .vilest sensualism.
Rosalind sat there in the apart
ment which was hers for her own
private use, and she was sad and
thoughtful. One fair hand support
ed her pure brow, while with the
other she twisted. the ends of the
silken sash that confined her heavy
robe. Thus she sat when the door
of her apartment was opened and .
young girl entered. This newcomer
was a small, fair creature, bright
and quick, with that raven hair and
those large dark eyes, of dreamy
light which bespeak the child Of
Moslem blood. Her name was Zeno-
bic, and she was now about 16 years
of age. Rosalind's father had pick
ed her up on the battlefield from
which the Turks had fed, and, being
unable to find any claimant, he had
br@Nght her home, then almost an
infant. And now she was Rosa
ind's attendant and companion.
She loved her kind and gentle mis-
tress and would have laid down life
itself in the service.
"How now, Zenobiew asked Rosa
lind as she notice the girl hesitate.
"There is gentleman below who
would see you," the girl replied.
''Tell him I cannot see him." said
Rosalind, trembling.
''But this is Ruric Newell, my mis-
tress."
*'Ruricp' uttered the fair maid
en-, starting up, while the rich blood
mounted to her brow and temples.
''Oh, | am glad he has come! My
prayers are surely answered. Lead
him hither, Zenobie."
The girl departed, and ere long
/afterward Ruric entered the apart
ment. He walked quickly to where
Rosalind had arisen to her feet, and,
taking one Of her hands in both his
own, he pressed it to his lips. He
had had we'll formed speech upon
his lips when he entered the room,
but twas gone now He could only
gaze into the lovely face before him
and murmur the name that sounded
so sweetly to his ears. But the emo
tions of his soul became calm at
length, and then he spoke with more
freedom.
lady," he said after he had tax
en- his seat, *<you will pardon me for
this visit when you know it's cause,
and you will pardon me, too, if I
speak plainly what I have to speak"
F'Surely, SIR
ooh, call me Ruric. Let us at
least. not forget the friendship of
childhood
<<Then I am not. a lady," said Ros-
alind, smiling.
*tNo, Rosalind."
"Ah, Ruric!"
GAS we were in childhood" whis-
pered the youth.
'@In all but years" returned Rosa
lind in the same low tone.
"And l may wear the same i'm
age in my heart %
81 cannot cast it from mine if I
would"
''The image of childhood, dear
Rosalind?"
"Aye, save that it has grown to
manhood, dear Ruric." -
What more could he ask for love?
He had not aimed at this confession
so soon, but he put it not from him
now. He gazed moment into the
fair maiden's kindling eye, and as
he saw the lovelit tear gathering:
there and the happy smile working
its way about the rosy lips and
away in the joyous dimples he
opened his arms and clasped the
fondly loved one to his bosom. ~: 81:
J. ooh, l am not deceived in this~
he murmured. s:Speak, dearest one
81 cannot forget the love. Of the
happy times agone," the noble girl