Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-08-09

upon my dying hour. God bless
you'll" q. y. 81: !, s. l::5.. RE B q
Ruric's feelings were easily moved,
and there was something in the deep
solemnity Of this occasion that
started his heart to a tender mood,
and the last words Of the dying man
flowed the cup. He bowed his head,
and, covering his eyes with one hand
while he held in the other the hand
! Of Conrad, he wept freely and ST.
lently. z''> =>~~:.,: - 80
;, At this moment the woman arose
and left the room. ii. - ~. j
''She's gone" said the count after
he had recovered somewhat from
the deep emotions which had been
stirred within his own soul. est
! down here beside me- :. III FL
Ruric obeyed the request, and aft
er he had, seated himself he gazed
| sadly into the sick mans face.
|sSay, Ruric," the count asked,
while an eager look overspread his
face, "wast true what Kopani told
me that you overcame Demetrius
the Greek with the sword?'
81 did" the youth replied in
whisper. -. -
"But you did not disarm him?
You did not fairly take his. sword
| from him?"
II did, Conrad"
| my soul, is it possible? And
where have you been all your life ?"
<1n Moscow and in Spain"
|EAnd yet obscure"
"Never mind: that now" inter-
posed Ruric. II have something of
| more interest. Do YOU But you
will pardon me for what / may say,
for assure you /. mean it all for
| your good?"
'Speak on said Conrad, at the
same time running his eyes almost
enviously over the gunmaker's no.
bly, developed breast and shoulders.
*"Then, first, l have just come
from the Lady Rosalind- All, I
meant not"-
eco on. I may have felt pang
at the mention Of that name, but l
know she loves you, and were /
strong at this moment as ever I'd
relinquish all claims of her to you.
So fear not
'"Thank you, sir count, for this.
But, l was remarking, am not long
from her presence, and between US
both we have suspected some dark
things. Do you think the duke was
really your friend?'
The count started, and a strange
CLEAN shot from his eyes.
eco on" he uttered. "
<'Then listen. Before you ever
came to my shop the duke had sol
EMMY promised Rosalind that she
should receive no more trouble from
you-that you would claim her hand
no more" -,
.:Do you know this?''
81 do"
<But it cannot be. Why should
he have sent me on that mission to
you?''' " = :..:::-,> -
:S"1 had taught one of his officers
the sword exercise, and he knew I
was your superior in strength and
theuse Of the weapon
"Well, go. on" whispered the
count nervously and anxiously.
"Why, he thought very likely that
we should not meet on such ques-
ton without. quarrel. He knew
your natural impetuosity and. my
strength of arm and hoped you
would fal!.'' :"
-"But-go on" =:
ellis estate is running out, and he
wants the whole Of Dretzen." -
"Ah, I see it now!" ~ -: -,
"The duke had proposed himself
for Rosalind's hand," resumed Ru-@
ric. ttHe says he has loved her long,
! and he will force her to marry him
if he can, though he breaks her
heart" -..z =
my God!" gasped the count;
fairly starting up to a sitting pos
ture. GLOW blind l have been! By
! my soul, he never was cordial, never
kindw ,..-> 80 s.c.~,: - 4 49, :
Ruric gently laid the sick man
back, and then he said: ~
From all that l can see and un-
derstand, the proud duke meant to-
get all your wealth and all Of Rosa.
lind,s: . s-...sS ,>.= :. - ),
The count spoke not yet. He lay
with his eyes closed and groaned in
agony at the strange revelations
that we're breakipg in upon him
But, seel Why starts Rmdc So
suddenly, and Why does he tsFn SO
pale? Why DO his hands treuble,
and Why is his brow bent 60 eagerly?
hat: is It p asked the count.
startled BY the. strange event.
Hold z hispered Ruric in