The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-02-14

mo, my mistress; L am sure the.
would not"
"But it is very late"
"Hark, There are bells"
The widow heard them, and, with
a wildly huttering heart, she sank
into a chair.
"They have stopped in front Of
the house." uttered Paul, whose ears
were bent.
"Go-go-open"-
Paul started. The widow heard
the door opened, and she heard
voices in the hall. In moment
more the inner door was opened,
and she looked up. She saw man.
ly form; she heard the magic word
"Motherv' trembling upon the air.
With one low cry of JOY she started
to her feet, and in the next moment
she was clasped to the bosom of her
son.
'Did ! not tell you I'd bring him
back to you?" cried Vladimir, rub
bling his hands with joy.
ooh, God bless you, sir!" the wild
ow murmured, gazing through her
tears into the monks face.
$50, so" returned the strange
man. "The blessing of an honest
soul is reward enough for one night,
so I'll take myself off for the pres
emit"
"No, no." cried Ruric. you'll
remain here till morning."
But the monk could not be pre-
vailed upon so to do. He had bust
ness to attend to, and he could not
stop, and lie hurried away as quickly
as possible to avoid the thanks that
were showered upon him.
After Vladimir was gone Ruric
sat down and related to his mother
all that had occurred since that day
on which he left her to 60 and see
the count. She trembled fearfully
as he related the aiabolical attempts
that had been made upon him, and
when he had concluded she sat for
few moments like one in painful
trance.
"And do you think" she said at
length, while cold shudder ran
through her frame, "that the Duke
Of lula was the cause of all this ?"
81 am sure of it, my mother"
"Then you are not safe yet"
''But | shall see the emperor"
81 have seen him, my son."
"Ah! And what said he?
"Why, he said if we could find out
who had done you harm he would
punish them. Then | asked him,
Suppose it was a duke ?" and he said
n that case he should have to look |
nto the matter Oh, fear he would |
lot dare to punish the powerful
olga"
"Perhaps not. but yet, my moth
r, will give him credit for better
hings. Yet" the youth continued
n sad tone, "there is one for
whom care more than self and
Who is now within the wicked dukes
,ower. Oh. she is his beyond any
lower of the emperor"
"Not absolutely beyond his pow
r, is she ?" the mother asked.
"Why, of course, Peter has the
ower to set aside any wardship, but
would not be policy for him to in
erfere in the domestic affairs of his
owerfu mobiles. feel sure that
is heart would bid him interfere,
ut his judgment would oppose it.
on have seen Rosalind?"
eyes"
"And was she unhappy when she
new that ! was missing
"Ah, Ruric," returned the moth
r. With kindling eye. 'you do not
now how that noble girl loves you.
IN. her heart was almost broken
hen she knew chat evil mad Detall-
a you"
The widow had it in her mind to
III of the scene which had transpir-
upon the dukes coming into the
aiden's presence when she was |
,ere, but she thought second time
e she spoke. and she then conclud-
not to 81 K Of it at present, for {
lie knew 'twould only serve to give I
er son additional pain without be- I
owing any benefit. 6
'By heavens" uttered Ruric at
lie end of troubled reverie and at :
lie same time clasping his hands g
together, "was ever man
surrounded by impenetrable mys- q
nv before! This monk is surely n
,od man. He has served me well,
I'd | am sure he would serve me q
ore if opportunity offered. But 4