The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-01-10
(cHAPrER X cos7IsuED.)


the deep emotions which had been
stirred within his own soul. "Sit
down here beside me-"
Ruric obeyed the request, and aft
er he had seated himself he gazed
sadly into the sick mans face.
"Say, Ruric," the count asked,
while an eager look overspread his
face, 'wast true what Kopani told
me-that you overcame Demetrius
the Greek with the sword ?"
81 did," the youth replied in a
whisper.
'But you did not disarm him !?
You did not fairly take his sword
from him ?"
81 did, Conrad"
"My soul, is it possible? And
where have you been all your life"
'1n Moscow and in SPAIN"
Sand yet obscure"
"Never mind that now" inter-
posed Ruric. 81 have something Of
more interest. Do you- But you
will pardon me for what l may say,
for | assure you | mean it all for
your good?"
Speak on" said Conrad, at the
same time running his eyes almost
enviously over the gunmaker's no.
bly, developed breast and shoulders.
"Then, first, have just come
from the Lady Rosalind- All,
meant not
$50 on | may have felt a pang
at the mention of that name, but | |
know she loves you, and were /
strong at this moment as ever I'd
relinquish all claims OF her to you.
So fear not.
"Thank you, sir count, for this.
But, | was remarking, | am not long
from her presence, and between us
both we have suspected some dark
things. Do you think the duke was
really your friend p
The count started, and strange
CLEAN shot from his eyes.
eco on he uttered.
<'Then listen. Before you ever
came to my shop the duke had sol
EMMY promised Rosalind that she
should receive no more trouble from
you--that you would claim her hand
no more"
ado you know this ?"
81 do"
"But it cannot be. Why should
he have sent me on that mission to
you?"
II had taught one of his officers
the sword exercise, and he knew /
was your superior in strength and
the use of the weapon"
swell, go on" whispered the
count nervously and anxiously.
"Why, he thought very likely that
we should not meet on such ques-
ton without a quarrel. He knew
your natural impetuosity and my
strength of arm and hoped you
would fall"
4EBut-go onp
ellis estate is running out, and he
wants the whole of Drotzen."
"Ah, / see it now"
"The duke had proposed himself 4
Tor Rosalind's hand" resumed Ru- !
lie. Gle says he has loved her long, |
ind he will force her to marry him !:
f be can, though he breaks her |
leart."
"NIy God!" gasped the count,
'airly starting up to sitting pos !;
ure. "How blind | have been! By ]
ny soul, he never was cordial, never i
,indw J.
Ruric gently laid the sick man
Jack, and then he said: Ii
"From all that can see and I'M
erstand, the proud duke meant to
ct all your wealth and all Of Rosa
Ind's."
The count spoke not yet. He lay
18th his eyes closed and groaned in
gony at the strange revelations !
hat were breaking in upon him.
But, see! Why starts Ruric so +
addenly, and why does he turn SO
ale? Why do his hands tremble, 7
nd why is his brow bent SO eagerly? |
"What is It'll" asked the count, I
,artled by the strange event.
"Holdw whispered Ruric in 1,
'antic tone. "You were recovering
nce~
"Trom this wound?" +;
EYES," i,
"Yes. was getting wen fast,
id the doctors said | should be II.
out and well in month. But sud- ii
,nly this change came on. Let's
9. On Friday morning | felt the ~
st relapse" 1t
.sThe very time" gasped Ruric to /.
mself. II
frA ..~..J IL. h1aI | q