Cañon City record., 1901-08-29

"And what is to become of nv es-
tate" the maiden asked quickly
and meaningly, for the thought
flashed upon her.
"Why-we'll have the two unit
ed" returned the duke, with some
hesitation.
"No, mo-" Rosalind cried. "Yol
will not do thisl Oh, spare me from
such fate.'
"Spare thee, girl spare tn,
from becoming the wife of one of
the most powerful noblemen in the
empire? ! on must be crazy"
"My guardian spoke the far
girl, now looking her companion
steadily in the face, ''you only do
this to try me. When you know that
such a union would make me misera-
BILE forever, when you know it would
cast out all the joys of life and ex-
tinguish the last hope of peace from
my soul, you surely will not press
it."
"Rosalind Valdai, have resolved
that you shall be my wife. Mind
you, this is one of the firm, fixed
purposes of my soul, and those who
I know the Duke of Tula best know
that he never gives up purpose
once fixed in his mind. You cannot
mistake me now"
Slowly the stern fact dawned up
on Rosalind's mind. There had been
a lingering hope that he might be
only trying her to see if she loved
him or if she would willingly become
his wife. Awhile she remained with
her head bowed and her bosom
heaving with the wild emotion thus
called up. But at length she looked
up and spoke.
"Sir," she said family. but with
marked decision, You cannot make
me your wife"
{ "Ah, And why not?
because | will never consent"
"Ah, Say you sol"
81 do. and | mean it"
"Ha, ha, hal You know little of
my power if you think you can
thwart me in my purpose. tell
thee, as sure as the God of heaven
lives, YOU shall be my wife
"No, MOI Before heaven ! protest
against such unholy union You
cannot have my heart, and such a
union would be but foul mockery."
soho. Now you come to the
point | can't have your heart, eh?
Perhaps your heart is given to the
gunmaker?"
Rosalind's ewes flashed in an in
slant. The words of the duke were
spoken sneeringly and contemptu-
ously, and they Jared upon the
young girls soul
"Aye." she quickly uttered, and
boldly. too. Il do love Ruric Newell.
and he is worthy of my love"
-'Now. my pretty ward, resumed
Olga in a tone of peculiar irony,
4you have spoken as l hoped you
would speak-plainly and TO the
point. so can answer just as plain
". Know. then, that Ruric Newell
can never be your husband He
stands charged with horrid crime,
and the emperor only waits to see
whether the count RECEIVERS or not
ere he awards the punishment The
gunmaker is forbidden on pain of
death TO leave the city. So you
may cast him from your thoughts
as soon as possible.
"What crime is Ruric accused
ofS-' tho maiden asked
"0f murder"
'Tn wounding the count p
"Yes."
y "Oh. how can you bring your
tongue TO such speech? You know
the noble youth was not to blame in
this affair He was
Hold. Rosalind want no ar
gument on this question. Iou have
heard wha, | have said, and be as
sured that | mean it had hoped
you would receive nv proposal with
more favor. but did not enter into
the plan until my mind was all
made up and the thing all fixed.
You will become my wife within one
month";
81 viii fee to the emperor" gasp
ed Rosalind.
"You will not leave this palace
again until you are the Duchess of
Tular"
Il will never speak the word that
is necessary TO make me Your wife
neverI AT the altar, if you be by
my side, my lips shall be sealed, and
no power on earth shall loose
.ba,,, y,