The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-16


her hands, and at every sound from
without she would start up with a
frightened expression and listen.
At length the sound Of bells struck
upon her ear. They came nearer
and nearer, and they stopped at her
door. She would have arisen, but
she could not. With her hands
clasped she bent eagerly forward
and listened With a frantic interest.
Soon the door opened. Surely no
one bat he would enter without
knocking. She started to her feet.
The inner door opened. a male
form stood before her.
"AIcther!.'' ~
'Rur:c:: Ny boy! safe.''
She tottcrcd forward and sank
upon the bosom Of her noble son,
and while she wound her arms tight
" about him she lnurmured her
thanks to God.
By and 5v the widow became more
calm, but still there was an earnest,
eager look Of fear upon her face.
Ruric s&w.it, and he knew well what
it meant.
Mother he said, the count is
not dead
ssNor woanded::" she uttered
quickly and eagerly.
"Yes; badly. But, listen, could
not help it. And thereupon he re-
lated ill the circumstances connect
ed With the conflict. When he had
concluded, his mother pondered a
few moments, and then she said:
Surely, my son, l will try to
suffer nothing from this, even
should the wicked man die. In all
you acted upon the defensive. From
the first he has only been intent on
attacking YOU, and on the battle
ground he would have killed you if :
he could"
'A1ost surely he would, mother.
Ave, he would not have hesitated to
stab me in the back could he have
gained the opportunity. He was
mad beyond all self control, and his
eagerness to kill me was only equal
ed by his chagrin at being overcome
by one whom he had hoped easily to-
conquer"
After this Ruric went to his shop
but Paul manifested no great emo
,tion upon beholding him.
eYou seem to take it as matter
| of course that should return alive
and well,'' said the gunmaker, with
smile.
"Why, of course returned the
boy composedly. "What would a
score Of such men as he be to you?
Conrad Damonoff hold a sword be-
fore Ruric Nevel? No. | only
smiled when l heard his challenge.
should have as soon thought of be-
ing anxious about your return from
marten hunt"
Ruric smiled at his boys peculiar
eagerness of expression, but he felt
degree of pride in his words never
theless.
1t was toward the latter part of
the afternoon that Ruric was some
what startled bv seeing some of the
imperial guard approaching his
house, and ere long afterward his
mother came TO him. pale and trem-
bling, and informed him that h was
wanted By the cmperor's officers.
"Oh," she groaned, with claSped
hands and fearful eyes, they Will
take YOU from ne now"
Fear not. ny mother" the youth
confidently returned The emperor
viii net blan?c ne when he knows
all the particulars But come, let US
60 in.
Rur:c foaad the officers, three of
them, in the kitchen, aad he asked
them If they sought him.
I've seek Ruric Newell. the sun
maker" replied the leader.
Il am the man, sir. May know
what is wanted:
Cannot you guess
'sWhy, YES. suppose it must be
on account Of the duel which was
fought this morning.
Exactly
"And who wants me~
"Who should want you but the
emperor
''Oh. they will not take my noble
boy from me- cried Claudia, catch
ing the officer by the arm. STell
our good emperor that Russia has
taken my husband from me; that he
fell in his country's cause. Tell him
my boy was not to blame
''Hush, mother" interposed Ru-