The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-30
y By SYLvANUs coBB, j.
fcovTINUED.l

Ruriie obeyed the request, and aft
er he had seated himself he gazed
sadly into the sick mans face.
ssSay, Ruric,' z the count asked,
while an eager look oFerspread his
face, vast true what Kopani told
lethat you oYercame Demetrius
She Greek with the sword
did, !, the youth replied in a
whisper.
But you did not disarln him ?.
You did not fairly take his sword
from him
did, Conrad 2
SOU, IS it possible? And
Where have you been all your life 2"
In Moscow and in Spain.
And yet obscure.
Never mind that now, inter
posed Ruric. z have something of.
more interest. Do you But you
VII pardon me for what ] may say,
FOR / assure you | mean it all for
yoW good q
Speak on 2 said Conrad, at the
same time running his eyes almost
enyiously over the gunmaker's no
BY deYeleped breast and shoulders.
hen, FIRST, I have just come
from the Lady Rosalind All, /
meant not
Go o.. ] may have felt pang
At The mention Of that name, but ]
know she loves you, and we're I
strong at this moment as ever I'd
relinquish al claims Of her to you.
So fear not. 8
ss.hlank you, sir count, for this.
But I was Femarsing, am not long
from her presence, and between US.
both ne have suspected some dark
things. Do you think the. duke was
really your friend ~
The coun1 started and a strange
gaeam shot from his eyes.
60 on, 2 be uttered.
hen listen. Before you ever
came to my shop the duke had sol
emily promised Rosalind that she
should receive no more trouble from
bat you would claim her hand
20 more.
s Do yoa know this e #
do.
But il cannot be. Why should
ne hare sent me on that mission to
you
& had taught one Of his officers
the sword exercise, and he knew |
-: mas your superior IN strength and
the use of the weapon" "
Well, go on. whispered the
count neryously and an1iousls.
hE he thought very likely that
Ee should not meet on such a cues
ton without quarrel He knew
your natural impetuosity and my
strength Of arm and hoped you
would fallll;s
But-go on!''
His estate is running out, and ne
wants the whole Of Drotzen.'
3 Al, see it now.'
The duke had proposed himself
Cor Rosalind's hand" resumed Ru-
Tic. He says be has loved her long,
and he will force her to marry him
If he can, though he breaks her.
heart. .
My God!n gasped the count,
fairly starting up to sitting pos
ture. aHow blind have been! By
my soul, he never was cordial, never
kind y
Rurie gently laid the sick man
back, and then he said:
9, F'rom ali that / can see and un-
derstand. the proud duke meant to
get all your wealth and all of Rosa
ind 5.
The count spoke not get. He lay.
with his eyes closed and groaned in
agony at the strange revelations
that were breaking in upon him.
But. see, Why starts Ruric so
suddenly, and why does he turn 80
pale: Why do his hands tremble,
and why is his brow bent SO eagerly?
ssWhat is it," asked the count,
startled by the strange event.
.HoId..' whispered Rurlc in a
frantic tone. '.You were recovering
once
Erom this wound:"
'.Yes."
Yes. was getting well fast,
and the doctors said | should be
stout and we'll in a month. But sud-
denly this change came on Let's
see. On Friday morning felt the
first relapse.
..The very timer gasped Ruric to