The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-16

vessels. l think, with proper care,
he may recover"
"Thank Godw fervently ejaculat-
ed Ruric, with his hands clasped.
"But why so anxious ?" asked Ur-
zen. "You were ready enough to
accept his challenge"
"Aye, else you would have called
me coward" returned the gunmak-
er, with flashing eye. 'Had l re-
fused to meet him that fatal word
would have met me at every turn.
knew that such man as he was no
cope for me at any game where
strength Of arm and sleight of hand
were required. So I meant to dis
arm him and then give him up his
life, believing that such a move
would end the combat. You know
how I labored to spare him. But I
could not. Yet | would not have the
life of a fellow being, a countryman.
upon my hands in such quarrel.
My father died fighting for his coun-
try, and so would l die if my death
must come from the hand of man.
But to die thus would be a curse
upon my name, and to infict such
death upon another would be curse
in my memory"
II believe you, my son." the monk
said. "Oniy if the count dies you
should not allow such feelings as
you mention to overcome you. In
no way are you to blame for this"
"True, father. You speak truly"
added the surgeon. ''The young
man has acted most nobly, and no
blame can be attached to him"
Ruric seemed somewhat relieved
by these assurances, and, having
seen the counts wound dressed and
assisted in bearing the insensible
form to the sledge, he took Alaric's
proffered arm and proceeded to his
own team.
"Who is that monk ?" asked the
lieutenant as they entered their
sledge.
81 only know that he is called
Vladimir" returned Ruric. "I have
only seen him once before. Have
you ever seen him ere this ?"
eyes; several times about our bar
racks. He has been there when
some of our poor fellows have been
sick, and dying. He seems to be
good hearted man and, I judge,
quite intelligent"
'T agree with you there" our hero
said. 81 think he is a good man, but
there is nevertheless a mystery
about him which I cannot solve. !
His countenance is familiar to me,
and yet I cannot tell where nor when
[ have seen him."
"Aye," added Alaric quickly and |
eagerly; chat is precisely the case
with me. | am very sure that have
seen that man under different cir
And others of our com
pany have thought the same"
The two men watched the move
nents of the monk while they thus
poke, and they noticed that he en-
cred his sledge and drove off to-
yard Borodino.
"Ruric," said the lieutenant after
hey had ridden some little distance
nd at the same time gazing won
eringly into his companions face,
you handle the sword like a magi-
ian. By my soul, I'd give all l own
t this present moment, my commits
ion and all, if l could handle the
word as you can"
81 do understand the weapon
assing WE'LL" returned the youth
lodestly, ''but I have worked hard
0 gain the science"
"Ah, tits not all SCIENCE" the Off
er added. "That wondrous strength
t yours is host in itself"
And yet" said Ruric, q have
cen weaker men than myself who
-ould overcome me easily or. at
EAST, who might overcome me-"
But they were not in this city"
lggested Orsa, with a peculiar
lake of the head.
''True, Alaric. I am not in the !
ablt of mentioning my own powers,
ut yet | may say that there is no {
an IN Moscow who is my superior I
the use of any sort of offensive {
ms"
The lieutenant readily admitted I
e truth of this, and then the con- !
rsation turned upon the subie,. c
the count and the course he had t
lrsued with respect to the event /
nich had just transpired. This i
nversation lasted until they reach s
the door of Ruric's residence. '
ID, having thanked his friend for
kindness and expressed the hope i
at at some time he might have 9
'portunity to return some ade- 9
late favor, the gunmaker entered
O bo,eo .