The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-01-24

"No, no." returned the monl
Ellis mission thither was most nobl
fulfilled. So far from cherishin
any spirit of revenge is the coun
that he will ever bear for Ruric tn
hottest gratitude of his soul"
"Do you think so?" the widov
asked hopefully.
81 know it," was the monks as
sured reply. "But," he continued
relapsing into perp!exity, 81 canno
imagine what has become of him
But. hold! My dear child, is ther
not humpbacked, ungainly prizes
who sometimes visits your guard
ian p"
This was addressed to Rosalind
and fearful tremor shook he
frame as she heard it, for its impor
was at once apparent.
"Do you suspect She ha(
started forward and grasped thu
monks arm as she thus commenced
/, but she could not continue. The
thought she would have uttered was
terrible.
go on" whispered Vladimir
bending his head low down so as to
catch her very thoughts if they left
her lips. "What would you say?"
ooh, L ought not, and yet !
know his soul is capable even of
that" Thus much the fair count
ess murmured to herself, and then
she gazed up and spoke to the
strange man before her.
''Do you suspect my guardian ?"
''Do you suspect him ?" the monk
returned.
ooh, l know not what to Think"
'But listen," resumed Vladimir
earnestly. 81 would know all that
you know, and then perhaps / c..n
assist you. Fear not, for as true as
God lives | mean to save Ruric If |
can, and if | can but gain a clew to
him now ! can surely save you both.
Trust me, for ! possess wondrous
power for the good of those who
trust me. Now, what end could the
duke have in view in wishing for
Ruric's removal? l know what he
had in view in connecting the duel
it was the death of Damonoff and
the undivided possession of Drot-
zen. Now, answer me, what does he
aim at now?"
In spite of all doubts Rosalind
found herself trusting the monk.
There was an air OF conscious truth
and power in his look and tone that
won upon her.
"Good father" she returned after
a few moments thought, "the duke
has sworn by a most fearful oath
that he will have me for his wife"
"Hap uttered the monk. starting
back pace and clinching his hands.
"Does he mean that ?"
ooh, most truly he does." the
young countess replied, and she
spoke more firmly now, for there
was something in the sudden energy
of the monks exclamation that gave
her hope.
'"Then he wants your estates too.
By my soul, he is aiming for wealth
with high hand! And do you sup
pose he fears Ruric Newell in con-
nection with this scheme?"
eyes, father will speak plain
ly, for | trust you. | do not think
you would betray one who never
harmed you"
'Let the end of these. things tell !
you that. But now finish what you
had begun-about your thoughts of
The duke"
ale knows, holy father, that
owe Ruric, and he knows, too, that
Ruric loves me. May he not under
such circumstances fear that the no.
,le youth will try to thwart him?"
every Likely returned Vladimir
houghtfully. l VIII pront by TINS,
md / am much mistaken if you do
lot 'also profit by it. l have those in
Moscow who will work for me. l
of course, directly assure
'ou of salvation, for Ruric may
lever be found" t,
A quick groan escaped from
Jlaudia's lips as the monk thus
poke, but before Rosalind could
peak the door of the apartment was
pened, and the Duke Of Tula strobe
nj He stopped as he came nigh to
there the company stood, and his
yes flashed and his frame trembled
nth passion. /,
SLOW now" he cried as soon as
e could command speech. "What
leans this gathering here in my