The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-16
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MASK FALLS FROM THE VILLAINS
FACE.

CHAPTER VIII.
THE MASK FALLS FROM THE VILLAINS
FACE.
It was about two weeks after the
events last recorded that Rosalind
Valdai sat in her own apartment
with Zenobie for her companion. It
was in the afternoon, and a severe
storm was raging without.
"Now, Zenobie," " spoke the beauti-
full maiden, eve have a moment
alone, the first since morning. And
now tell me about that black monk.
What did he say his name was"
"Vladimir."
"Ah, yes. I have heard his name,
and if l mistake not he is sort Of
mysterious being
Gle is, my mistress, and I am just
as confident that have seen him be-
fore as am that I have seen you be-
FORE"
'cHow? Seen him before?'
"Yes."
"But where? ??
"Ah," returned the young girl,
with a dubious shake of the head,
tttheze is the mystery. For the life
of me I cannot tell. He knew me-
he knows everybody-and yet he has
not been long in the city if one
might judge from his conversation" "
"But what did he stop you for?
Where was it 90 asked Rosalind ca
gerly.
sIt was in the church he stopped
me-in our Church of St. Stephen.
He was at the altar, and he beckon-
ed to me as I rose to come out. I
went to him, and he asked about
you"
"About me?''
eyes, and about Ruric Newell"
"And what about us~ the maid
en- asked, blushing.
'He asked me if I thought you
loved the young gunmaker. He was
so kind and he appeared so anxious
to know and then he seemed to take
such an interest in Ruric that l
could not refuse to answer him"
"But what did you tell him ?"
''I told him you did love Ruric. l
told him how YOU had been children
together and how you would now
give your hand to him sooner than
to the prondest noble in the land.
He asked me some things about the
duke, but I would not tell him.
When I must tell Of evil if I tell the
truth, I will not speak if can prop
erly avoid it. /"
s'You were right, Zenobie. You
were very right about this last part,
but you should not have told all you
knew concerning Ruric and me"
Il hope I did nothing wrong. Oh,
I should be proud to acknowledge
my love for such man"
"Aye, and so I am, my little
sprite. I love Ruric with my whole
soul and would be proud to give him
my hand this day, but that is no rea-
son why you should tell Of it."
'Surely, my mistress, I meant no
HARM" the young girl cried eagerly.
ssHush, Zenobie. I do not blame
you; only I would have you careful. "
"And I would be careful. But, Oh,
YOU could not have resisted him. He
drew it from me almost ere [ knew
it. He put his questions in such
strange manner that l could not
speak without telling what he want
ed to know. He did not say, Does
she love Ruric Nevel?' but he took it
for granted that such was the case,
and then ere | was aware of it he
had made me say SO. But he surely
does not mean you harm, nor does
he mean harm to Ruric. He IS
good man, l know"
II wish I could see him." returned
Rosalind I>alf to herself.
''You cannot mistake HIM If You
ever do see him, my mistress. lie IS
a strange looking man, and. then.
he dresses differently from most OF
our church officers. He dresses all
in black-today it was in black vc!-
vet. But his shape is his most strlk-
inc characteristic. He IS the tat
test man in Moscow. His belly
shakes when he laughs, and his chm
seems to sink clear out OF sight. He
would be IL funny man and would
make me laugh il he did not puzzle
me So
"And did he ask YOU about any
thing else
No; only he asked me if l knew
how the duke stood with the emper-
,,l 7 told him ! thOuUht he