Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-06-20

4 AldFlC OTSd cuIerGu Tie mouse. lie
called the youth aside and informed
him that the arrangements had, all
been made.
''Damonoff is in a hurry" he said,
"and we have appointed the meet
ing at 10 O'Clock tomorrow fore
noon. It will take place at the bend
of the river just beyond the Viska
hill" 4.
'And the weapons 20 asked Ruric.
Swords" returned Orsa. ssThe
count will bring his own, and he
gives you the privilege of selecting
such one as you choose" #s.5.
81 thank you, Alaric, for your
kindness thus far, and you may rest
assured that shall be prompt"
Suppose I call here in the morn
Ing for you?" suggested the visitor.
II should be pleased to have you
do So" '.' ''>'.@ s& a
,'1 will, then. I shall be along in
good season with my sledge, and we
will both reach the ground togeth-
er."
Thus it was arranged, and then
Orsa took his leave.
When Ruric returned to his seat
by the fireplace, he noticed that his
mother watched him narrowly and
with more than ordinary, interest.
He had once made up his mind that
he would say nothing to his mother
about the affair until it was over,
but as the time was set and the hour
drew nigh his mind wavered. When
it was over, where might he be?
But he was cut short in his reAec-
tions by the voice of his parent.
"Ruric," she said, and her voice
trembled while she spoke, Fyou will
pardon me for prying into your af-
fairs, but I cannot hide from myself
that something Of more than usual
moment is the matter with you.
why are these men calling to and
fro? And why are you so thought
full and moody? You know a moth
er's feelings, and you will pardon
mothers anxiety" a.. IT,
*'Surely, my mother,' the youth
returned, gazing up for moment
snd then letting his eyes .droop
again. At length he resumed, Il
had made up my mind to tell you all
ere you spoke" 1.~S
There was something deep and
significant in Ruric's tone, and his
mother quickly caught the spark.
F'What is it ?" she tremblingy ut
tered, moving her chair nearer to
her child's side. ~.
|Listen," the young man said.
And thereupon he detailed the cir
cumstances attending the visit of
the Count Damonoff to his shop.
Then he told of his own visit to
Rosalind and it's result and then Of
the visit of Stephen Urzen.
"And now, my MOTHER" he add
ed without waiting for any reply,
F'you know it all. You see how I
am situated. Remember, our nation
has reached its present point by sue
cessful war. The soul Of the nation
is built upon military honor, and
since our noble emperor has opened
the way Of advancement of the. low
est of his subjects who are brave and
true the coward is looked upon with
disgust upon all hands. Yet, my
mother, I would have you speak,
For some moments Claudia Newell
was silent. But at length she said,
while tear glistened in her eye:
81 have given one loved being up
to my country's good. Russia took
my husband from me, and could i'll
afford now to lose my son. Yet
rather than one stain should rest
upon his name I would see him dead
before me. Oh, Ruric, you know
whether dishonor would rest upon
you were you to refuse this chal-
lenge."
Il will speak plainly, my dear
mother,'' returned the youth in a
tremulous tone, for his parents
kindness had moved him. F1n my
soul I should feel perfectly justified
in refusing this meeting, for no
principle of real honor is at stake.
But we're I to back out now from
this I should never meet another
generous look in Moscow. Every
one would point the finger of scorn
toward me, and the word coward
would ring always in my ears. It
may be a false state of things-I
feel that it really is so-but how
can I help it? It is the curse of all
great military epochs. Battle alone
makes heroes, and so all must meas
ure their honor by the force of their
arms. The count carries even now
upon his brow the mark Of my blow,
and all will saw he has q right to