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

81 like you," the Greek returne,
bluntly and kindly, "and if you bea
me will not like you less. I can at
ford to be beat once, seeing tina
thus far | have never been since frs
! offered to fence"
"Come, come," cried Peter, VIII
was impatient for the entertain
ment, '1et's see the opening. Now
stand aside, gentlemen"
Like twins stood those swords
men as their weapons crossed with
clear, sharp clang. The Greek lie,
off carefully, and Ruric as carefull
warded every stroke. Then the for
mer assumed guard, and Ruric LEI
off in turn. Ere long the sword
clashed with sharper ring, and sool
sparks of fire flew out from tn,
changing steel. Louder and louder
grew the clang, and quicker anc
quicker grew the strokes. The
thrusts were made with skill and
force, but as yet neither had been
touched.
The emperor was in ecstasy. He
clapped his hands and shouted bravo
with all his might.
By and by Ruric's eye grew more
intense in its sparkling fire. His OPP
ponent saw it, but he could not tell
what it meant. The youth was about
to risk the most daring feat of all he
knew. Steadily burned his eye, and
his lips were set like steel. At length
he saw that the Greek was playing
for a thrust, and he lowered his
point. Demetrius saw the chance,
and, drawing his arm quickly back,
he made the thrust with all his pow
er. He was sure now he had won,
for there was no earthly way in
which his point could be struck Ell
Their down or up. But see! With
gliding motion, motion almost i'm
perceptible, Ruric raises his sword,
and the other slides along upon its
side, and the other point, instead of
touching his breast, is caught in the
cross guard of his haft Then, quick
as lightning and with all his might,
Ruric bends his elbow downward
with the whole weight of his mass
i've shoulder and throws his wrist
upward. On that instant the Greek
sees and feels what meant that
strange fire of the eye. He feels his
point caught, but before he can close
MS grasp more firmly the haft is
from his hand. 1t strikes
he vaulted ceiling with a dull clang
md, descending, is caught fairly on
he hilt by Ruric Newell.
For moment all is still as death
IN that chamber. Ruric is the first
to break the silence. He advances
TO the Greek, and as he hands back.
both the swords he says:
''Demetrius, remember your
promise. know you are a brave
man, for l can see it in your forgiv-
ng glance. You will not like me the
ess for this"
by heaven, mop the noble Greek
'ries, dropping both the swords and
both hands, which the
,unmaker grasped. ''I honor you, 1
owe you"
Peter Alexiowitz, the impetuous
mperor, then in the zeal and fire of
outh, leaped from his standing
lace and caught Ruric by the hand.
'By st. Michael" he cried ear
estly and loudly, 'you stand clear
all blame, for full well do l know
lat had you so desired you could
ave slain Conrad Damonoff at your
rst thrust"
"Sire," returned the youth, now
'eaking TREMENDOUSLY, ''twice did
lsarm the count and yet spare him.
nd when in my rage / broke his
eapon in twain to bring him to his
'nses he seized a second sword"
"Sir duke, spoke the emperor,
lrning toward Olga, who stood
with rage and mortifca-
on, you see you must have labored
nder mistake. You can retire
ow. Not word, sir!"
With quivering lip and trem-
ing step the duke left the apart
ent' and after him went Stephen
rzen.
'Now, Ruric Newell, if you leave i
-oscow without my consent you do
} at your peril. | would not lose
ght of you. You are at liberty"
In an hour more Ruric was upon
IS mothers bosom. He told her all
lat had happened, all but the last
ords of the emperor. He did not
IL her of those, for he knew not
neither they BODIED him good or
ii.
CHAPTER VIII.
IE MASK FALLS FROM THE VILLAINS
FACE