The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-09-06
81 e ~ By SYLvANUS COBB. Jr.

cuJlHC pOlSOutIs, lOI no physician III
Moscow could have concocted tn,
deadly poison"
"But wherein was it so wondrous
ly peculiar 2" asked Ruric, with in
terest.
"Why, in this: Arsenic was tn,
principal poisoning agent, but tina
alone would produce symptom
which any physician would know a
once. In this case there was some
thing present which overcame al
the outward signs of the poison ant
only let it eat upon the vitals.
know not the secret, though | know
there is such a one. Had it moi
been for your fortunate suspicious
the count would have died from the
effects of the wound. The poison
was. working silently and surely,
without pain and without outward
sign different from the usual sink
ing of the worn and fainting body.
But / have hopes now. The villain
must not know that we have discov-
cred him. We will let the thing run
for the present"
Kopani was not a little surprised
when he found that the priest had
been there during his absence, but
before he could make any further
remark the count awoke He felt
very faint, but that strange sickness
of the stomach was lessened. The
surgeon prepared some suitable dill
uents, and, Having called in the
woman, he gave directions that they
should be given in large quantities,
and also directed her to prepare
some strong barley water for the pa
tient to drink as he wanted bever
age.
All the walls were replaced upon
the sideboard and then reflled with
liquids somewhat like those thew
had before contained. But the nurse
was directed not to use them. Ev-
erything that her patient was to
take she was to keep under her own
charge in the kitchen, and she was
also most particularly cautioned
against allowing the priest to gain
anything from her. But Kopani
meant to be sure on that score. He
had little business to transact, and
then he was coming back to spend
the night himself by the counts
side, He meant at all events that
the poisoner should have no more
opportunity to exercise his diabol-
lcal science upon the sick nobleman.
He promised the count that he
should have safe and competent
watchers thereafter.
1t was fairly dark now, as Ruric
could see by raising the curtain and
looking out. He had no idea it was
50 late. Time had passed without
MS notice. He moved to the side
Of the bed and took the invalid's
hand.
81 must go now" he said. "But
# you are willing I will come
AGAIN.
"You will come" uttered Conrad
IN reply, returning the grasp of the
hand with all his feeble power. ooh,
you must come often now. | hope
shall live. Perhaps / shall. fiji
10, shall owe my life to you. And
God knows-for the feeling is even
now firm in my soul-that | will
always remember how you saved
ne, and will never think, never,
Of the sad blow you struck me.
Jome-come to me when you can,
or now = now as God lives. |
peak the truth-now l love youl'
God bless and keep you'll" muir
nured Ruric in husky, tremulous
Ioice. And with these words, com
ng from the very depths of his
oul, he turned away and left the
DOM. He heard the voice of the
cunt as he moved toward the omen
loor and thanked God that twas
blessing which fell upon his ears.
All, those who know not what
rue forgiveness is know not the ho-
lest emotion of earthl
Ruric had left his sledge at a
elghboring inn, and as soon as he
aimed the street he bent his steps
hat way. He had gone half the dis
ance from the residence of the
cunt to the inn and was Just upon
ne point of crossing the street
hen he heard his name pronounced
y some one behind him. He stop
ed and looked around and saw a
IAN approaching him.
1t was too dark to distinguish
aces plainly even at a usual CONVEX
ational distance, yet Ruric was not
ong In concluding that the man
Tho had thus hailed him was
tranger. He was a medium sized
ian and so closely enveloped in his
onnet and pelisse that his form and {
aatures would have been hidden
ven had it been lighter than it was
did you speak to me ?" asked the {