The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-09-13

for over a year, but she knew her at
once, and, starting up from her seat,
she bounded forward and embraced
her warmly.
"Ah, Aunt Claudia, l am glad you
have come You will let me call
you aunt. as | did in those happy
times long gone by?" :
"Aye, sweet Rosalind," returned
the widow, imprinting 8 warm kiss
upon the fair white brow.
The countess noticed the strange
sadness of the woman's tone, and
then, for the first time also, she
noticed the sadness of her look.
AUNT Claudia, you look sad" she
said, while a chill dread struck to
her own heart.
aye" the widow uttered, as
though she were afraid to venture
the question she wished to ask; 'T
have been very sad because L have
had a terrible fear. Has-has not
Ruric been here?"
"When p uttered the maiden.
catching the whole fear now.
within these three days"
Just then. Day before yester-
day he was herein the forenoon"
"And l have not seen him since |"
the poor woman groaned.
e mot seen him? Ruric gone? Oh,
where, where ?"
"He said he was going to see the
Count Damonoff when he left here"
interposed Zenobie, who Joined in
the grief.
"Aye; so he told me-" returned
the mother. 81 have been there,
and they have not seen him since
that evening. The surgeon who at
tends the count went out to the inn
where Ruric put up his horse, and
the animal was still there, his own
er having not called for him."
80 God, have mercy" calculated
the young countess in paroxysm
of grief.
At this moment there came a rap
upon the door, and Zenobie went to
answer the summons. 1t was the
black monk, Vladimir, who thus de-
manded admittance. At any other
time both Rosalind and Claudia
might have been startled by the
strange visit, but now they instinc-
lively hailed his coming as a source
of hope.
Ladies'" spoke the fat monk, ap-
preaching the spot where they stood |
and bowling very low, "you will par
don this unseemly method of gain
ing admission here, but l had no
ether choice, for I feared the duke
you'd refuse me did I apply to him.
l have come to learn, if possible,
where Ruric Newell may be-"
The widow tried to answer, but
instead of speaking she burst into
tears. Rosalind struggled moment |
with the deep emotions that stirred |
within her, and she, too, fell to
weeping. zenobie was obliged to
answer.
Good father" said she, eve here
are after the same knowledge. His
poor mother has come here to try
t she might find some clew to the
noble youth, and thus did my mis-
ress gain the first intelligence that
e was gone. Pray, good sir, do you
now anything about him? What
ave you heard?"
Both Claudia and the Young
ountess now raised their heads, for
hey would hear what reply the
lonk could make.
81 only know that he is missing"
'ladimir replied. ga little while
60 called upon the sick count,
nd there | learned that Ruric Ne
ell had mysteriously disappeared,
nd | learned also of the noble pur-
ose for which he visited the count"
Aye" interposed Claudia, with
udden energy; che went to try to
VIZ NOuie o loi SlVeueSS.. QOQ
hlnk they spoke falsely there. i
ont think any there would wish
I'm harm from any lingering re-
enge."
mo, mol" returned the monk I
His mission thither was most nobly /
llfilled. So far from cherishing
ny spirit of revenge is the count s
lat he will ever bear for Ruric the :
ollest gratitude of his soul"
do you think SOP" the widow ,
'ked hopefully.
81 know it." was the monks as :
lred reply. 'sBut," he continued, >
'lapsin&into perplexity, 81 cannot q
nagine what has become of him.
ut, holdl My dear child, is there !
ot a humpbacked, ungainly priest 9
no sometimes visits your guard T
n ?"
This was addressed to Rosalind !,
ID fearful tremor shook her I
anne as she heard it, for its import
d af