Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-06-06
- e ~ By SYLVANUS COBB. Jr.


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
Damonof and his friend Stephen
Urzen.
II think I speak with Ruric Me-
vel?" said the count, moving for
ward.
"You d." 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 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:
t*You are acquainted with the La
dy Rosalind Valdai ?" he said.
"I am" returned Ruric, now be-
ginning to wonder.
"Well, sir" returned Damonof,
with much haughtiness, **perhaps'
my business can be quickly and sat-
isfactorily settled. 1t is my desire
to make the Lady Rosaind 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.
F@You should know that already.
Do you not love the lady?"
"Upon my soul, sir count, you
ask me a 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, y
replied Damonoff sharply. E'But if
you choose not to answer let it pass.
I know you do love the lady, and
now ask you TO renounce ali
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 500
! "Perhaps you will inform me
what claims 1 may have upon the
lady," Ruric returned, with some
RIGHTEOUSNESS in his tone, for the
very subject was one that moved
him deeply. =. =
! "Ruric Newell, you shall not say
that l did not make myself fully
understood, and hence I will ex-
plain.' The count spoke this as
speaks man who feels that he is
doing very condescending thing,
and in the same tone he proceeded:
''The 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 I do; but
that matters not. I love her and
must have her for my wife. I have
been to see the noble duke, her
guardian, and he objects not to my
suit, but he informed me that there
was one impeachment, and that was
her love for you. He knows full
well, as 1 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 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. I
have a paper here all drawn up,
and all that will be necessary is sim
ply your signature. Here. It is
only plain, simple avowal on your
! part that you have no hopes nor
thoughts Of seeking the hand Of the
lady in marriage" b.
AS the count spoke he drew a pa
per from the bosom Of his marten
doublet, and, having opened it, he
handed it toward the gunmaker.
] But Ruric took it not. He drew
back and gazed the visitor sternly
| in the face. IS.
tEsir count" he uttered in tone
fn11 If noble INDIGNATION ttwha+ dn