The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-09

site way from the original fold E ,
gunmaker superscribed it ane,
the lieutenant and handed it to /:
visitor. Urzen took it, and, viii
stiff bow, but without speaking
turned and left the place.
That evening about 8 o'clock
sledge drove up to Ruric's door. ~,
Alario Orsa entered the house. Al
called the youth aside and informsi|
him that the arrangements had h
been made.
'Damonoff is in hurry" he saja
"and we have appointed the meet
ing at 10 o'clock tomorrow fora
noon. 1t will take place at the bend
of the river just beyond the Wish
hill"
"And the weapons ?" asked Rurie
Swords" returned Orsa. 9Th.
count will bring his own, and b
gives you the privilege of selectps
such a one as you choose"
81 thank you, Alaric, for YOU
kindness thus far, and you may rest
assured that l shall be prompt"
Suppose I call here in the mon
ing for you?" suggested the visitor.
II should be pleased to have you
do So"
Il will, then. I shall be along i'll
good season with my sledge, and We |
will both reach the ground togeth'
err"
Thus it was arranged, and then
Orsa took his leave.
When Ruric returned to his sea
by the fireplace, he noticed that b
mother watched him narrowly an, L
with more than ordinary interest, [
BE had once made up his mind that
he would say nothing to his mother
about the affair until it was over,
but as the time was set and the hour
drew nigh his mind wavered. When
it was over, where might he be?
But he was cut short in his refec.
tons by the voice of his parent.
"Ruric," she said, and her voice
trembled while she spoke, 'you will
pardon me for prying into your af-
fairs, but l cannot hide from myself
that something of more than usual
moment is the matter with you.
Why are these men calling to and
fro? And why are you so thought
full and moody? You know a moth
er's feelings, and you will pardon a
mothers anxiety"
Surely, my MOTHER" the youth
returned, gazing up for moment
and then letting his eyes droop
again. At length he resumed, q
had made up my mind to tell you all |
ere you spoke"
There was something deep and
in Ruric's tone, and his /
mother quickly caught the spark.
"What is it ?" she tremblingly ut
tered, moving her chair nearer to
her child's side.
"Listen," the young man said
And thereupon he detailed the cj
attending the visit |
the Count Damonoff to his shop
Then he told of his own visit to
Rosalind and its result and then Of
the visit of Stephen Urzen.
"And now, my MOTHER" he add
ed without waiting for any reply,
'syou know it all. You see how !
am situated. Remember, our nation
has reached its present point by sue.
cessful war. The soul of the nation
is built upon military honor, and
since our noble emperor has opened
the way of advancement of the low
est of his subjects who are brave and
true the coward is looked upon with
disgust upon all hands. Yet, my
mother, I would have you speak"
For some moments Claudia Nevel
vas silent. But at length she said,
While a.tear glistened in her eye:
81 have given one loved being up 4
% my country's good. Russia took
ny husband from me, and could I'LL
ltford now to lose my son. Yet
ather than one stain should rest
lpon his name l would see him dead
'efore me. Oh, Ruric, you know
whether dishonor would rest upon
'ou were you to refuse this chal-
enge."
Il will speak plainly, my dear
returned the youth in
remulous tone, for his parents
,indness had moved him. ''In my
oul I should feel perfectly justified
n refusing this meeting, for no
principle of real honor is at stake.
But were ] to back out now from
his l should never meet another
generous look in Moscow. Every
me would point the finger of scorn
,oward me, and the word coward
you'd ring always in my ears. II
nay be a false state of things-l
eel that it really is so-but how
AN l help it2 1t is the curse of all
,reat military epochs. Battle alone