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

a due! with young Never ano So'
beaten, ell ?"
Before the surgeon could answer
a page entered the chamber and an
nounced that the Duke of TuIa
wished to see his imperial master.
The emperor directed that he
should be admitted, and ere long
afterward the proud duke entered
the apartment. He was tail, stoul
man, with light hair and blue eyes,
and not far from five and forty years
Of age. His bearing was naughty,
though he was forced to show Of
respect now that he was before his
master.
Sire spoke the duke after the
usual salutations had passed, u
have come to demand justice ct thy
hands. My young friend the Count
Conrad Damonof has been most
brutally murdered"
Hal Say ye so, olga
Yes, sire"
eeBut how was it ?"
seThus it was, sire: On the day be-
fore yesterday ] sent the count with
a message to one Ruric Newell, who is
gnnmaker in Sloboda. He went as
I wished, and while there the gun
maker, who is a huge fellow, provok-
ed quarrel and knocked the noble
man down. OF course the count was
offended, and as the ruffian threat
ened to repeat the ofense and as he
furthermore grossly insulted a no.
bic lady whom the count held most
dear he could hardly help challeng-
ing him. The fellow accepted the
challenge and has succeeded by the
most cowardly maneuvering in in
fieting upon him a mortal wound"
esThis is a serious affair." said the
emperor, who had not failed to note
the astonished look Of the surgeon
while the duke was telling bis story.
@It is most serious, sire, and sure
ly the iruf1ian should be at once exc
cuted."
ssBut did you not say that the
count challenged him %
81 did. sire, but you must remem-
Der that it was an instinct of self
preservation with the noble count.
The fellow would have undoubtedly
murdered him had he not taken this
course
eWere you present at the duel, my
lord ?"
ssNo, sire, but l have a friend
without who was present.
ss'Then you may bring him in"
The duke departed, and when he
returned Stephen Urzen bore him
company.
.sThis IS the man, SIRE" Olga said
as he led his companion forward.
The emperor gazed upon Urzen a
few moments in silence and then
said:
sslou were present at this. duel,
were you not, sir:''
81 was, sire" the man answered,
bowing low.
"And he was at their first meeting
also, SIRE interposed the duke.
"Ah, yes. Then you know all
about the AFFAIR.""
eyes, sire," answered Urzen.
ssThen tell me aboutit.
sFirst. sire,'' commenced the man,
casting a sort of assuring glance at
the duke, ssthe count went to the
gunmaker's shop to get him to
to-
"Let me explain here, sire, inter-
rupted the duke as his puppet hesi-
tated. ssthis man may not know
properly about that mission. Liv-
ing with me is young girl, a ward
of mine, gentle, timid being, who
has been somewhat comfort to me
in my loneliness. In childhood she
was acquainted with this Ruric Ne
vel. and now the fellow has presum-
ed thereupon several times te insult
her of late with his disgusting ia
millarity. She dared not remon-
strate with him for fear of violence,
so she referred the matter to me.
The count has been anxious to win
her for wife, so thought him not
an improper person to send or the
delicate mission. Accordingly |
wrote sort of promise in the form
OF a voluntary assurance pledglng
the signer not to make himself ia
miliar with the lady any more. And
at the same time. he received the as
surance that his presence was very
disagreeable to the person mention
ed. This | supposed he would sign