Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

? THE GUNMAKER I I OF MOSCOW. I I By I SILVANUS COBB, JR. jg COXTIMJED PROM SEVENTH PAGE. Iiis bonnet and pelisse and then fol-.: lowed his conductors out to the. _ street, where stood a double sledge, ^ with two horses attached. "You seem to look upon the kill? ing of a Russian noblemen as -a very small affair," said one of the officers . after they had started on their way. <(?s he dead, then?" Eurie quick? ly asked. "The doctors think his case a crit? ical one. But that is not the tiling. You would have killed him if you. could." "No, no. By heavens, tis not so J All who were present will .swear that I tried to spare him." <cYery well," returned the officer. ?"We shall see about that when we come to the palace. Perhaps you may go clear; but, upon, my soul, I would not willingly. occupy your place." Eurie cared not to argue the point with those who knew nothing about . the circumstances, so he remained ?lent during the rest of the ride. It was near sundown when they reach? ed the imperial palace, and Ruric was conducted at. once into the em? peror's presence. Hie Emperor Peter was in one of the smaller audience chambers, sit? ting at a large table covered with purple velvet heavily wrought with gold, and upon either hand stood some of his private, attendants. He was a young man, not yet so old as. Ruric by some thfee years, but his face already wore a mature look. .His frame, was solid, but not large, being rather slight than otherwise is physical bulk. His dress betrayed negligence and carelessness and was in marked contrast with the* rich garbs of his attendants. Such was . Peter , of Russia, yet a youth, small . in frame and careless of those graces which co to make un the sum of court life, but still able to. bear the - affairs of a great natron upon his shoulders. Within .that head work ed a mighty brain, and in that bos? om beat a heart thirsting more for the good of Russia than for self or -kindred. H?ric saw Stephen Urzen and the . surgeon there, and he also saw the Duke of Tula there. He met the duke's eye, and a peculiar sensation of fear ran through his mind as he saw the stern, threatening expres? sion that rested upon Olga's far-e. "Sire," spoke the leader of those who had conducted the prisoner thither, "Ruric Nevel stands before jw" "Ah," uttered Peter, casting his eagle eye over the forms before him. . "Nevel, advance." - With a bold yet modest step Ruric advanced to the table, and,, with a low bow, he awaited the emperor's pleasure. There was a shudder per? ceptible in the frames of those who wished the prisoner well, for well they knew their mighty ruler's iron """Will and sternness of legal purpose. CHAPTER VII. A STARTLIXC TRIAL. In order to understand the cir? cumstances under which Ruric was "brought before the' emperor it will 3>e necessary to go back a few hours. The autocrat had occasion to send for the surgeon, Kopani, who had attended at the duel, and as he was some time in answering the sum? mons he was questioned when he did come concerning his tardiness. His answer was that he had been attend? ing the Count Damonoff. "And what ails the count ?" asked the emperor. "He was well yester? day."" "Yes, but he met with an accident today." . "Look ye, Kopani," the young ruler cried, who saw in an instant that something unusual had hap? pened, "think not to conceal any? thing from me. What is ii. now ?" "Sire, J meant not to hide any? thing from you. The count has been engaged ir. a duel.'' "Ha! Was he challenged ?" "No, sire. ?le was the challenger." "So. so. And who was the other party ?" "? humble gunmaker, sire, nam? ed Ruric Neve!." "Nevel, Novel," soliloquized Pe? ter. "The name is familiar.'4 "His father was a captain in the last war with the Turks. He rose from the ranks under Feodor and was one of the bravest of the brave." "Captain Xevel. Ah, yes. 1 re? member now. He and Valdai were the two who first mounted the ram? parts at Izium. So the old dispatch? es read." "Yes, sire. Poor Novel was shot a month afterward while leading his brave company against a whole squadron of Turkish infantry, while ?Va?dai came home and got a colo neFs commission." *?nd afterward received a title," ? rifled Peter. "Yes, sire/' "And this gunmaker is this ci tain's son ?" "Yes. sire." "And methinks Yaidai lett child." "?le did. sire; a daughter, who now with Olga. She is his ward/' . "Yes, yes. And the count foug ? " duel with young Nevel and ? beaten, eh ?" Before the surgeon could answ a page entered the chamber and a Bounced that the Duke of Ti wished to see his imperial master. Tlie emperor directed that should be admitted, and ere lo: afterward the proud duke enter the apartment. He was a tail, stoi man, with light hair and blue eye and not far from five and forty yea: of age. His bearing was naught though*he was forced to a show < respect now that he was before h master. *' "Sire/' spoke the duke after tl usual salutations had passed, ' have come to demand justice et th hands. My young friend the Coui Conrad Damonoff has been mo< brutally murdered/* "Ha! Say ye so, Olga?" Tes, sire." "But bow was it?"; "Thus it was, sire: On the day bi fore yesterday I sent the count wit! a message to one Ruric Neve!, who i a gunmaker in Sloboda. He went a I wished, and while there the gun maker, who is a huge fellow, provok ed a quarrel and knocked the noble man down. Of course the count wa offended, and as the ninian threat ened to repeat the offense and as h furthermore grossly insulted a no ble lady whom the count held mos dear he could hardly help challeng ing him. The fellow accepted th? challenge and has succeeded by th? most cowardly maneuvering in in fiicting upon him a mortal wound.'* "This is a serious affair," said th< emperor, who had not failed to not< the astonished look of the surged while the duke was telling his sterv. "It is most serious, sire, and sure? ly the-.ruffian should be at once exe? cuted." ~ ' "But did you not say that thi count challenged him ?" "1 did. sire, but you must remem? ber that it was an instinct of sdi preservation with the noble count. The fellow would have undoubtedly murdered him had he not taken this course." "Were von present at the duel, mv lord?" "No, sire, but I have a friend without who was present." "Then you may bring him in/* The duke departed, and when he Teturned ^Stephen Urzen bore him company. "This is the man, sire," Olgn said as he led his companion forward. The emperor gazed upon Urzen a few moments in ?silence and then said: "You were present at this duel, were YOU not, sir ?" "I 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?" 'Tes, sire," answered Urzen. "Then tell meabout.it." "First, sire," commenced the man, casting a sort of assuring glance at the duke, "the count went to the gun maker's shop to get him to to" "Let me explain here, sire," inter? rupted the duke as his puppet hesi? tated, "this man may not know properly about that mission. Liv? ing with me is a young girl, a ward of mine, a gentle, timid being, who has been somewhat a comfort to me in my loneliness. In childhood she was acquainted with tnis Ruric Xe vel, and now the fellow has presum? ed thereupon several times to insult her of late with his disgustT?g fa? miliarity. She dared not' remon strate with him for fear of violence, so she referred the matter to me. Thc count has been anxious to win her for a wife, so ! thought him not an improper person to send ou the delicate mission. Accordingly I wrote a sort of promise in the form of a voluntary assurance pledging the signer not to make himself fa? 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 I supposed he would sign at once, and as the count aspired to her hand I deemed it no more than right that he should render her this service. Now, sire, this gentleman may continue." Thus bidden Urzen resumed: "The noble count was desirous, j sire, that I should accompany him, and I did so. Upon reaching the man's shop we found him at work upon a gunlock, I think. He re? ceived the note, but refused to siim . it. The count urged him to sign in mild, persuasive language until the fellow became insolent. Then he used some stronger terms, and I think he made some threat of what he would do if his insults to the lady were repeated, and thereupon the gunmaker struck him a furious blow in the face and knocked him down. I cannot remember all the threatening language which the fel? low used, but it was fearful" ! "And how about the duel?" ask< ! the emperor. In answer to this Urzen went c ! .and related what lie had prepare on the subject, and it need only 1 said that the report was about on par with wha,t we have alreac heard. He even went so tfar ss 1 swear that the count had tried T< Heatedly to compromise matters af er the conflict had begun, that L begged of Xevel to give np the ba tie, but that thc latter, thirsting fe the young nobleman's blood, kej: hotly, madly at it. It was at this juncture and with cut referring to the surgeon tha the ?emperor sent for Eurie, ano having learned that a lieutenant o the Khitagorod guard was presen at the ?duel, h? sent for him also Orsa arrived first and was presen when -Kurie came. 1 And now Ruric Nevel stood be fore his emperor. Peter gazed upoi him for mme moments, and then hi said; , ?"Sir. thy bearing is bold." uWhx should it not be, sire, whei J rta nd before one whom I hono: and respect anti do not fear?" S< spoke Ruric ?aiiinly and with pecul iar dignity. "Kot fear?" repeated the auto? crat sternly. "No, sire: Peter of Russia is not fi man to bk feared by those who love and boner him." "Insolence!" uttered the duke. The emperor looked up into his face, and he.added: "Now, sire, you can see for your? self some of his traits of character." "Aye," returned Peter, "I see. They are wonderful. J knew not that among my artisans there were men of such boldness." The duke knew not how to in? terpret this, and he moved back a pace. "Now, sir," resumed Peter, turn? ing to the gunmaker, "how dared you strike a Russian nobleman?" " I did ?ot, sire. Conrad Damonoff came to my shop, and he brought me a paper in which I was required or ordered to relinquish all claims to the hand of" "Sire," interposed the duke, "he misstates" "Xever mind," broke in the em? peror, with an authoritative wave of the hand, "we will hear nothing about the lady here. Why did you strike the count?" "Because, sire, he descended from bis station and struck me. He threw away the shield which should protect the nobleman and struck me without provocation." . "And then you knocked him down-?" "I did, sire." "And perhaps you would have done the same to me." - "Sire," answered the youth quick? ly, "when Damonoi? tried bv threats to make me sign his paper ? told him there was but one man on earth at whose order I would do that thing. The man who%has the right to command shall never have occasion to strike me." There was something in this reply and more in the tone and bearing of him who spoke it that made the duke tremble. He saw plainly that the emperor's eyes sparkled with ad? miration as they rested upon the gunmaker. "But now about this duel," re? sumed the emperor. "How dared vou take advantage of the count in the conflict ?" "Advantage, sire?" repeated the youth in surprise. "Ave. t)id he not, Stephen Ur? zen ?" "He did, sire," replied the man thus addressed. "And which of the two do you call the best swordsman ?" Peter asked. "Why, sir, the count is or was vastly his superior." . "And what sav vou, sir lieuten ant?" Alaric trembled, for this was ad? dressed to him. He knew that the duke was anxious to crush his friend, and he feared tc> draw the wrath of that powerful nobleman down upon his head. But a happy thought came to his aid. '.Sire," he said, "I would rather vou would judge of that for your self." "Me judge? And how am I to do that?" "Let I?uric Novels skill be tried here before you. If I mistake not, vou have some <Lrood swordsmen near your palace. There is Demetrius, the Greek." "What, my master at arms?" "Yes, sire!" "Why, ho is the best swordsman in my empire. 1 think our young adventurer would fare badly in his hands." "Xever mind, sire. You could | judge." "Why," said Peter, with a smile. "Demetrius handles the count as 1 "ould a mere child." "Sire," spoke Ruric modestly, but yet frankly, "it were surely no dis? grace to be overcome by your tutor." 1 "'And will you take a turn with j him at the swords ?" "Yes. sire, if so it jilease you." "By my soul," cried the ercperor, j leaping up, "we'll have SOUK- ?iver- ! sion out of ibis trial. Whni ho, j there! Light up the chamber. IA?! every lamp be limited, for we w:::\l sight now. Send Demetrius hi and tell him to bring his round edi sn ords!" Both the duke and Urzen ste aghast at this new turn, but tl (Inred not interfere, for they s that their imperial master was excitement now to see a trial of si at that science which, above all ol cr?, he tried to make his office learn. But then they had one he -Demetrius might overcome t gunmaker so easily that Pei should not sec his real power. Demetrius soon came, and und his arm he carried the swords. Th were of the common size, but wi round edges and points on purpc for play. The master at arms was powerfully built man and posbess a splendid form. He was a "Gre by birth and was now retained the emperor as- a teacher of t sword exercise. "Demetrius," said Peter, "I ha sent for you to entertain us with show of your skill. Here is a mi about whose power there is son dispute- Mind you, it is all in kin ness. Eurie Nevel, take your wea on. The youth stepped forward ai extended his left % hand for tl sword, and the right hand he e: tended for the other to grasp, was taken warmly, for the Gret saw in an instant that he. had a n< ble man to deal with. And thoi two men were not much unlike7] form. Demetrius was an atom tl taller, but Eurie showed the moi muscle. The night had come on, but th great lamps were all lighted, and th room was as bright as day. "Sir," said Ruric,. addressing th Greek, "this is none of my seeking though I confess that for a lon while I have longed to cross a plaj ful sword with you. I play well." "I like vou," the Greek returne bluntly and kindly, "and if you bea me I will not like you less. I can ai ford to be beat once, seeing tha thus far I have never been since firs I offered to fence." "Come, come," cried Peter, wh< was impatient for the entertain ment, "let's see the opening. Xow stand aside, gentlemen." Like twins stood those swords men as their weapons crossed with ; clear, sharp clang. The Greek let off carefully, and Ruric as carefully warded every stroke. Then the for mer assumed a guard, and Ruric lee off in turn. Ere long the sword: clashed with sharper ring, and soor sparks of fire flew out from thc clanging steel. Louder and loudei grew the clang, and quicker anc quicker grew the stroke?. Th* thrusts were made with skill and force, but as yet neither had been touched. The emperor was in ecstasy. He clapped his hands and shouted bravo with all iiis might. Bv and by Euric's eve grew more intense in its sparkling fire. His op? ponent saw it, but he could not tell what it meant. The youth was about to risk the most daring feat of all he knew. Steadily burned his eye, and his lips were set like steel. At length he saw that the Greek was playing for a thrust, and he lowered his point. Demetrius saw the chance, and, drawing his arm quickly back, he made the thrust with all his pow? er. He was sure now he had won, for there was no earthly way in which his point could be struck ei? ther down or up. But see! With-a gliding motion, a motion almost im? perceptible. Ruric raises his sword, and the other slides along upon its side, and the other point, instead of touching hiS'breast, is caught in the cross guard of his haft. Then, quick as lightning and with all his might, Ruric bends his elbow downward with the whole weight of his mass? ive shoulder and throws his wrist upward. On that instant the Greek see? and feels what meant that strange fire of the eye. fie feels his* point caught, but before he can close his gra?]) more firmly the haft is wrenched from his hand, lt strikes the vaulted ceiling with a dull clang and. descending, is caught fairly on the hilt by ii uric Nevel. For a moment all is still as death in that chamber. Ruric is the first to break the silence. He advances to the Greek, and as bc hands back holli thc swords he says: "Demetrius, remember your promise. I know you are a brave man, for 1 can see it in your forgiv? ing glance. Yon will not like me the ! less for i his." ? "By heaven, no!? t lie noble Greek I cric?, dropping both the swords and . extending both hands, which the i gunnia ker grasped. "I honor}*);!, 1 i love you." j Peter Alexiowitz, the-impetuous emperor, then in the zeal and fire ol' ; youth, leaped from his standing : place and caught I?urie by the hand. I "By St. Michael." he cried ear-' nest ly and loudly, ""von stand clear of ail blame, for full well do 1 know ? that had von so desired von could have slain Conrad Damonoif at your firs! iii nisi." "Sire/* returned the youth, nov. speaking tremulously; "twice did I disarm tlie count and yet spare him. And when in mv rage I broke his wea ??on ia twain to bring him to his senses he seized a second sword?" "Sir duke, spoke the emperor. ? I turning toward Olga, who sto< j trembling with rage and mortifie tion, "you see you must have labon under P. mistake. You can reti now. Not a word, sir!" With a quivering lip and a trer j bling step the duke left the apa; ment, and after him went Stephi Urzen. ''Now, Ruric Nevel, if you "iea^ Moscow without my consent you c so at your peril. I would, not lo: sight o? you. You ar^ at liberty/' In an hour more Iluric was upc his mother's bosom. He told her a that had happened, all but thc ia; words of the emperor. Ile did n< tell her of those, for he knew n< whether they boded him good < evil. _ CHAPTER VIII. THE MASK FALLS FROM THE VILLAIS FACE. It was about two weeks after th events last reeordec. that Rosalia Valdai sat in her own apartmer with Zenobie for her companion. ] was in the afternoon, and a sevei storm was raging without. "Now, Zenobie," spoke the beaut ful maiden, "we have a momei alone, the first since morning. An now tell me about that black moni What did he say his name was ?" "Vladimir." "Ah, yes. I have heard his name and if I mistake not he is a sort o mysterious being." "He is, my mistress, and I am jus as confident that I have seen him be fore as I am that I have seen yo^i be fore." "Kow? Seen him before ?" "Yes." "But where ?" "Ah," returned the young girl with a dubious shake of the head "there is the mystery. For the lif of me I cannot tell. He knew me? n? knows everybody-and yet he hai not been long in the city if om might judge from his conversation/ "But what did he stop you for' Where was it?" asked Rosalind ea gerly. "It was in the church he stopp?e me-in our Church of St. Stephen He was at the altar, and he beckon? ed to me as I rose to come out. 3 went to him, and he asked aboul you/' "About me?" "Yes, and about Eurie Nevel." "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 I could not refuse to answer him." "But what did you tell him ?" "I told him you did love Ruric. I told him how you had been children together and how you would now give your hand to him sooner than to the proudest 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 I can prop? erly avoid it." "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." "I hope I did nothing wrong. Oh, I should be proud to acknowledge my love for such a 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. "Hush, Zenobie. I do not blame you; only I would have you careful." "And ? would be careful. But, oh, you could not have resisted him. He drew it from me almost ere I knew it. He put his questions in such a strange manner that I 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 ease, and'then ere I was aware of it lie had made me say so. But he surely docs not mean you harm, nor does he mean hann to Ruric. Ile is a good man, i know/' "I wish I could see him," returned Rosalind Ualf to herself. '"You cannot mistake him if you ever do sec him, my mistress. Ile 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 vel? vet. But his shape is Ins most strik? ing characteristic. He is the fat? test man in Moscow. J lis belly shakes when lie laughs, and his chin seems to sink dear ont of sight. He would bc a funny man and would make me laugh if he did not puzzle me so/' "And did he ask you about any? thing else ?" "No; only he asked me it' I knew how the duke stood with the emper? or, and 1 told him 1 thought he stood very well. Then he said he had heard that they had had some dispute concerning the duel between Count, Damonoff and Ruric. But] 1 told 'inn 1 guessed that had result-, ed in n<> estrangement, for thc duke; was as nuu ii at court as ever. And : after that he told nie about the due!, as he was there and saw nearly ti e whole of thc affair." And Zenobie went on and told a. i that the monk related about Riiric's bravery, and Rosalind listened now. attentively and eagerly. It was a theme that pleased her. The in? tendant saw how gratef ully the v - conni, caine upon the ears of L .. mistress, and she closed the recital with .some opinion of lier own wherein Rurie Nevel was held up as a pattern after which all men who wished ?o win the love ol woman should be made. But before any answer could be made by Rosalind thc door o? the apartment was opened, and the duke entered. He smiled very kindly as he bowed to his ward, and tuen, with a wave of his hand, he motion? ed for Zenobie to withdraw, and aft? er the attendant was gone he took a seat close by his fair charge. The maiden looked up into his face, and, though there was no serious look there as yet, still ?he could plainly see that lie had something of more than usual importance cn his mind. She shuddered as she gazed upon him, for she could not help it. There was something in the look of the man-a sort of hidden intent, which came out in his tone and glance; a deep meaning, something which he had never spoken, but which was yet manifest-that mov? ed her thus. What it was she could not tell. It was the prompting of that instinct of the human soul which may repel an object while yet the working mind detects no harm. But she was not to remain in the dark much longer. The evil one was loose, and his bonds of restraint w?re cast off. He had marked his prey, and the meshes were gather? ing about it. "Rosalind," the duke said in a -tone which he meant should have been easy and frank, but which nevertheless was marked strongly with effort, "there is some talk among the surgeons now that Conrad Damonoff may recover/' "Oh, I am glad of that!" the fair girl uttered earnestly. "Ye?, I suppose so," resumed Ol? ga, eying her sharply. 4iBut you have no particular care for him, I . presume?" "For-for thejcotmt ?" "Aye; it was of him I was speak? ing.""' 1 . "Nb, sir. I care only for him as I care for all who need to become, bet? ter ere they die." [TO eoNT'Nrr.D.J ? Woman's Wealth. Paine's Celery Compound GITES*VIGOR AM) STRENGTH TO DEBILITATED AUI> ROT DOWN WOMEN. It is . maintained by many distinguished writers that the greatness of a nation depends much upon the physical condition of its women. The general conditions which con? tribute to health and long life, are those which do not imply a rapid and unequal exhaustion of those powers by which life is maintained. While we assert that the women i-f our land stand peerless for beauty and the virtues that make them lovable, we cannot hide the fact that there are thousands in our midst who,, owing to overwork, worry, household cares, and an unequal exhaustion of life power, have become weak, nervous, sleepless, and debili? tated. We bring to the attention of all weary,, desponden'. hopeless, and sickly women earth's great rescuer and health builder, Paine's Celery Compound. Thousands of healthy women around us owe their present vigor, activity, and robustness to Paine's Celery Compound. Mrs. Stephen Smith, St. Paul, Minn., tells how she was snatched from the grave; she says: 441 had a bad attack of la grippe this spring and was at death's door, and no one ever expected me to recover. I was so weak that as soon as they brought me cut of one faint I was in another. I could not take any nourishment, and doctors' medicines did me no good. A friend advised my husband to get me a bottle of Paine's Celery Compound, which he cid, but had no faith in it. Thc second day after taking the Compound, I lx:gar. to get real hungry and took an interest in things. I had everything that money and loving care could supply, and with that and Taine's Celery Compound, I am now doing my own work, while three months ago I was almost in thc grave. I know that I owe roy health and strength to Paine's Celen- Com? pound, and shall always recommend it." NO NEED Ol SOILING THE HANDS WITH Diamond Dyes They are easy to use, and are made for home use and home economy. Diamond Dyes never disappoint and will make the o?d clothes look new. 50 different colors* Direction book and 45 dye<? pamples free. DIAMOND DYES, Burlington, Vt. Fish, Oysters. Place your orders fer Oysteis an? Fish COLUMBIA FISH APD ICE CO., COLU BIA, S. C Satisffictc ry pt ices, quick pervice. You CHU mal o morey now tellirg cur large South Mullet while eggs, e;c, are so very high. Dec. 2.-26t. "