The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-06

tiliIOH i"iiS SOh0 y
cave, sweet Rcsalind," returned
the widow, imprinting warm kiss
upon the fair white brow.
The countess noticed the strange
sadness of the woman's tone, and
then, for the first time also, she
noticed the sadness of her look.
e:Aunt Claudia, you look sad," she
said, while chill dread struck to
her own heart.
@Aye," the widow uttered, as
though she were afraid to venture
the question she wished to ask; Il
have been very sad because [ have
had a terrible fear. Has-has not
Ruric been here ?"
ssWhen 90 uttered the maiden,
catching the whole fear now.
within these three days."
stJust then. Day before yester-
! DAY he was herein the forenoon"
"And | have not seen him sincew
the poor woman groaned.
Not seen him? Ruric gone? Oh,
where, where ?"
Gle said he was going to see the
Count Damonof when he left here, :"
interposed Zenobie, who joined in
the grief.
cave; so he told me-" returned
the mother. "I have been there,
| and they have not seen him since
that evening. The surgeon who at
tends the count went out to the inn
where Ruric put up his horse, and
the animal was still there, his own
er having not called for him.
80 God, have mercy" calculated
the young countess in paroxysm
OF grief.
At this moment there came rap
upon the door, and Zenobie went to
answer the summons. 1t was the
black monk, Vladimir, who thus de-
manded admittance. At any other
time both Rosalind and Claudia
might have been startled by the
strange visit, but now they lnstinc-
lively hailed his coming as source
OF hope.
Ladies'" spoke the fat monk, ap-
preaching the spot where they stood
and bowing very low, 'you will par
don this unseemly method of gain
ing admission here, but I had no
ether choice, for I feared the duke
would refuse me did / apply to him.
I have come to learn, if possible,
where Ruric Nevel may be-"
The widow tried to answer, but
instead of speaking she burst into
tears. Rosalind struggled moment
with the deep emotions that stirred
within her, and she, too, fell to
weeping. Zenobie was obliged to
answer.
aGood father" said she, eve here
are after the same knowledge. His
poor mother has come here to try
if she might find some clew to the
noble youth, and thus did my mis-
tress gain the first intelligence that
he was. gone. Pray, good sir, do you
know anything about him? What
have YOU heard%
Both Claudia and the young
countess now raised their heads, for
they would hear what reply the
monk could make.
ssI only know that he is missing"
Vladimir replied. GA little while
ago / called upon the sick count,
and there l learned that Ruric Ne
vel had mysteriously disappeared,
and l learned also Of the noble pur-
pose for which he visited the count. "
.Aye," interposed Claudia, with
sudden energy; che went to try to
gain the counts forgiveness. | don't
think they spoke falsely there. I
don't think any there would wish
him harm from any lingering re-
venge.'
sNo, moi" returned the monk.
ellis mission thither was most nobly
fulfilled. So far from cherishing
any spirit Of revenge is the count
that he will ever bear for Ruric the
holiest gratitude Of his soul"
ssDo you think so?" the widow
asked hopefully.
n know it, was the monks as
sured reply "But," he continued,
relapsing into perp!exlty, 81 cannot
imagine what has become of him.
But. hold' Ny dear child, is there
not husnpbacked, ungalnly priest
who sometimes visits your guard
ian?''
This was addressed to Rosalind,
and fearful tremor shook her
frame as she heard it, for its import