The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-01-17
(cHAPrER XII coN-INUED.)

true forgiveness Is know not the no
hest emotion of earth!
Ruric had left his sledge at
neighboring inn, and as soon as he
gained the street he bent his steps
that way. He had gone half the dis
lance from the residence of the
. count to the inn and was just upon
the point of crossing the street
when he heard his name pronounced
BY some one behind him. He stop
ped and looked around and saw a
man approaching him.
It was too dark to distinguish
faces plainly even at usual CONVEX
sational distance, yet Ruric was not
long in concluding that the man
who had thus hailed him was a
stranger. He was a medium sized
man and so closely enveloped in his
bonnet and pelisse that his form and
features would have been hidden
even had it been lighter than it was.
"Did You speak to me ?" asked the
youth as the man came up.
"Yes, sir. Is your name Ruric
Newell"
'1t is"
"Then you are wanted few mo-
ments at the residence of lieuten-
ant named Orsa."
"Alaric Orsa?" asked Ruric.
"The same"
'sBut he does not live here in the
Kremlin."
sHe is here now, at any rate, and,
would see YOU"
'eBut you said he was at his resi-
dence," suggested our hero, who
was fearful that some evil might be
meant for him.
81 know nothing to the contra
nv, sir" the stranger returned
promptly. "All | can say is Alaric
Orsa has fallen upon the ice and
hurt himself severely and upon be-
ing informed that you were near by
with a sledge he asked that you
might be sent for"
'Been hurt, has hep
eyes, sir"
Badly"
CT believe no bones are broken,
but he is so badly sprained that he
cannot walk"
'Ah, then perhaps he wants me
to carry him home"
81 can't say as to that, sir. They
only sent me to find you. | don't
know the man myself
There was something so frank in
the statement thus made that Ru-
rio believed it all honest, and he
stood no longer in doubt.
81 will co." he said. "But lead
the way quickly, for l have no time
to waste"
ct will lead as fast as you will
want to follow" answered the man.
And thus speaking he turned
back, and, having gone some dozen
rods by the way they had both come,
he turned down a narrow street
which led toward the river. Half
way down this he went, and then he
turned again-this time to the lett
and thus Ruric found himself in
a narrow, dark lane, within which
the snow was deep and almost un-
trodden.
"Look ye,' cried the youth, stop
ping as he found himself over knees
in snow, 81. think we have gone
about far enough in this direction"
"This is the shortest way" said
the stranger guide apologetically.
81 did not think the snow was so
deep here. But it's only in the next
street"
@Then on you CO."
Again the stranger started, and
Ruric followed on. The lane was
crooked one, and more than once
the youth had another inclination
to stop. He had no direct fear, but
vet he had some just grounds for
doubt. Had he not seen what had
been attempted against the count
he might have had no such doubts
now, but as it was he thought that
If one attempt had been made to
ruin him through the emperor's dis
pleasure by the man who was now
irving to murder the count it would
not be at all improbable that some
more effective plan should be adopt
ed toward him. He was bordering
thus when they came to cross lane
full as narrow as this, into which
the guide turned.
'Iook We once more, sirrahT
cried the youth, now stopping short.
"Do you call this streeS'
eyes, sir, and on this street we
shall find the man we seek. 1t is
only short cut from where he IS
to the inn where your horse is, so
YOU won't have to retrace these du-
-. ,,,,,,. Only n 1itt1a farther