Cañon City record., 1901-10-03
, - - By sYLVANUS COBB. Jr.

duke hau an enormous hump upon
his back, and instead Of the usual
uniform he wore the garb of a
priest. This was very strange-at
least so ran Ruric's thoughts in the
dream. Soon the engagement com
menced, and the loud mouthed ar
tillery opened It's thunder. The din
was deafening and strange, and Ru
ric shouted in vain 10 his aids. for
the roar OF cannon drank up his
words direct from his lips Louder
and more loud grew the crash, and
finally Ruric started for the charge.
His horse was shot under him, and,
with a quick leap, he reached his
feet.
"Ruric, Ruric, my MASTER"
Slowly the youth opened his eyes,
and Paul stood by him in his night
clothes. He gazed about him and
found that he had leaped from his
bed and now stood shivering upon
the floor.
Don't you hear that racket at
the door," Gsked Paul.
What; Hn! There is some one
knocking" Ruric uttered as he
heard the sound
And have you not heard it be-
fore -
NO
"Why did you leap up thus ?"
Il was dreaming
q thought twas the noise below.
Why, they've been making a perfect
thunder Of noise down there. Shall
| go down 2"
ayes, 60, Paul. and l will dress
as soon as possible. What tune Is
at must be near daybreak."
And thus spca' iu Pau! turned
and went TO his or o 7s5.l. yNCre lie
threw on an or garment, and
then he went down a. t-e D. Or he
found a stout man N.apIu. - in
furs, while close BY stood n sledge
with two horses attached TO IT, In
the east the golden tints Of morn
were alrendy,visible.
"a gunmaker named Neyel lives
here. does be not Z" asked the apph-
cant after having first made some
passing remark on the trouble he
had had in starting some one up.
Paul feared that there might be
something out Of the way, but he
dared not tell a falsehood where II
could not possibly be Of any use, so
he answered in the affirmative.
"Then let me see him as speedily
as possible
He is preparing TO come down,
sir. II you will walk in. you may
see him very soon"
The stranger followed the boy in.
TO the kitchen, where ii WAS quite
warm, the fire in the furnace hav-
ing been burning Ill night. Ere
long Ruric came down, and the Wis.
itor started up.
"How!" uttered the gunmaker
starting forward and extending his
hand. "Dcmetrius :"
"Aye, my friend" the Greek re.
piled. with smile. 81 am an early
visitor, oh ?"
u should say so. But early OF
late you are Welcome"
"Thank you. But we must not
spend much time here now. Ny
sledgc is here at your door, and ]
wish youto accompany me.
But wherefore is this p asked
the youth in surprise, "What has
happened now?"
"I1l tell you. Last night Olga
the duke, came 10 see the emperor
! had just been giving his majesty
some exercise al the sword, SO
was present at the interview. The
duke wished for power TO arrest you
and in explanation OF the request
he stated that you were az the head
Of band Of robbers here in the city
and TINT YOU had already committed
several robbcries, needn't tell you
all he said, but he made you out tc
he q most mmiuEatOd villain, and
with this the emperor granted his
request. Olga wished for power tc
execute YOU At once, but Peter would
not 90 SO far as that, He gave the
power Of arrest, but ordered the
duke to bring you before him"
Ruric stood for a few moments
like one vonroundcd
"Thcn be must carry me to the
emperor, he said at length
"Ah, returned Demctrius, with a
dubious shpkc Of the head. "be not
too sure Of that saw a look upon
his face when he turned away that
meant more than be dared to speak