The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-23

there is the mystery. For the lif,
of me cannot tell. He knew me
he knows everybody-and yet he ha
not been long in the city if on
might judge from his conversation.
'But what did he stop you for
Where was it?" asked Rosalind ca
gerly.
ct was in the church he stopped
me-in our Church of st. Stephen
He was at the altar, and he beckon
ed to me as I rose to come out.
went to him, and he asked abou
you"
"About me ?"
eyes, and about Ruric Newell
"And what about us?" the maid
en- asked, blushing.
''He asked me if 1 thought you
loved the young gunmaker. He was
so kind and he appeared SO anxious
to know and then he seemed to take
such an interest in Ruric that
could not refuse to answer him"
"But what did you tell him ?"
81 told him you did love Ruric. I
told him how you had been children
together and how you would now
give your hand to him sooner than
to the proudest noble in the land.
He asked me some things about the
duke, but l would not tell him
When | must tell of evil if 1 tell the
truth, l will not speak if can prop
erly avoid it."
"You were right, Zenobie. You
were very right about this last part.
but you should not have told ali YOU
knew concerning Ruric and me-"
81 hope l did nothing wrong. Oh,
l should be proud to acknowledge
my love for such man."
"Aye, and SO 1 am, my little
sprite. love Ruric with my whole
soul and would be proud to give him
my hand this day, but that is no rea-
son why you should tell of it."
Surely, my mistress, 1 meant no
harm" the young girl cried eagerly.
"Hush, Zenobie. / do not blame
you; only | would have you careful"
'And | would be careful. But, oh,
you could not have resisted him. He
drew 1t from me almost ere l knew
it. He put his questions in such
strange manner that | could not
speak without telling what he want
ed to know. He did not say, Does
she love Ruric Newell p but he took it
for granted that such was the case,
and then ere / was aware of it he
had made me say so. But he surely
does not mean you harm, nor does
ne mean harm to Ruric. He is a
good man, | know"
81 wish l could see him." returned
Rosalind half to herself.
You cannot mistake him if you
ever do sec him, my mistress. He is
a strange looking man, and, then,
he dresses differently from most of
our church officers. He dresses all
In black-today it was in black vel
vet. But his shape is his most strik
ing characteristic. He is the fat
test man in Moscow. His belly
shakes when he laughs, and his chin
seems to sink clear out of sight. He
would be funny man and would
make me laugh if he did not puzzle
me So"
"And did he ask you about any
thing else ?'
mo; only he asked me if / knew
how the duke stood with the emper- .
Or, and | told him | thought he
stood very well. Then he said he
had heard that they had had some
dispute concerning the duel between
Count Damonoff and Ruric. But
told him | guessed that had result
ed In no estrangement, for the duke
was as much at court as ever. And
after that he told me about the duel.
is he was there and saw nearly the !
whole of the affair" ],
And Zenobie went on and told all
hat the monk related about Ruric's
bravery, and Rosalind listened now
lttentively and eagerly. 1t was
heme that pleased her. The at
saw how gratefully the &C
count came upon the ears of her /
mistress, and she closed the recital :
nth some opinion of her own j
wherein Ruric Nevel was held up as /,
pattern after which all men who /
nshed to win the love of woman :
hould be made.
But before any answer could be /
nade by Rosalind the door of the
partment was opened, and the duke {
ntered. He smiled very kindly as
e bowed to his ward, and then, I
nth a wave of his hand, he motion !
d for Zenobie to withdraw, and aft
the attendant was gone he took {
eat close by his fair charge. The {
laiden looked up into his face, and,