The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-05-13

ed by it. With the agitation of coun.
tryman approaching the minister with
a petition and desiring AN audience, L
awaited tho coming ofmy distinguished
neighbor. Tho door opened, and a man
of about thirty-nve, with a noble and
handsome countenance, entered the
room. lie approach Il me frankly and
courteously, as | uttered few words of
excuse for taking the liberty; but he
interrupted me at once: "NO compli.
mcnts, ncighbor" We sat down, and
his gay and unconstrained manner
quickly banishod my timidity, and
began to be myself again. The Count
ess now came in, and all my embarrass.
ment returned. The Count introduced
me, and the two, in order to give me
time, c0nversod together freely, and
treated me like an old acquaintance. In
the meanwhile opened the books on
the table, looked at the pictures on the
wall, one of which especially attracted
my attention. 1t represented q Swiss
landscape; but it was not the scene
which the artist had painted, nor his
skill which drew my gaze, but mark
In the canvas made by two bullets, one
resting on the other. "That was a won.
derful shot, Count !" cried,
"Yes, and there is a remarkable cir
cumstances connected with it. Are you
a good shot?
81 am sure ofhitting the ace of hearts
at thirty PAGES"
"Really?" cried the Countess. "That
shows great skill. Can you do it,
Wasil?'
"There was time, when l was in
practice; but l have not touched pis.
tol for five years."
"Then / will wager that you cannot
hit the card at twenty PAGES. Such dex-
terity requires daily practice. The
best shot that l know cut daily three
bullets on the edge of a knife; if he saw
fly on the wall-Ah, you are smiling,
gracious Countess, but l assure you that
it Is the exact truth"
"Ah? What was the mans namecn
"Sylvio, your Excellency."
"Have you known him ?" cried the
| Count, springing from his chair. "Have
you known him? You have known
Sylvio?'
"Why should not? We We're friends;
he lived inWologda as my comrade.
But for five years have heard nothing
ofhim. You then also are acquainted
| with him."
"Yes, l was. And if you were
friend of his, he has certainly told you
of curious story"
"Ah, ha, you mean the blow he once
received?"
81 do. Did he tell you the name of
the giver"
| "No, your EXcellency."
Struck by sudden thought, 1 gazed
at the Count. Gould it possibly have
been you ?'
at was, and the bullets in the picture
there ARE the last memorial OF him."
81 beg ysu, Wasil, do not tell that
story; cannot bear to hear it."
But must, Nadejda. This gentle.
man knows that ! once in jured his
friend; he must also learn how he aveng-
cd himself. IL is five years ago since
we were married. Our honeymoon was
passed at this castle. / had ridden out
one evening with the Countess, and was
returning home, when her horse sud-
denly reared, and wsuld not go further.
She became frightened, sprang off, and
| throwing me the bride, went home on
foot What can be the matter with the
animal?' she said; 'it is usually so
quiet and gentle. / almost fear that
| some misfoi tune is awaiting Us at home.
l laughed her out of it, as | went beside
her, leading her horse by the bride un.
I'll we reaehed the castle. l noticed
strange drosshke in the court yard, and
inquired to whom it belonged. i was
told that it belonged to gentleman
who had declined to give his name, and
who was awaiting me in tbs cabinet. /
went there. In the corner sat a long
bearded man covered with dust. gaz-
ed at him inquiringly.
You do not recognise me, Count 2"
"SylvioN' l confess that my hair
stood on end
ut is my turn nowr he growled,
drawing pistol out of his case. Are
You ready now?'
81 silently bowed, acknowledging
his right, and measuring off ten PAGES,
| placed myself in that corner, praying
him to end it quickly before my wife !
should come in.
II cannot see distinctly. Order lights
to be brought"
81 rang, and they brought what he |
required. lplaced myself for the sec
ond time in position. He took aim. | |
counted the seconds. Perhaps min |
ute passed-it seemed like a century to |
me. He said NO, don't like this. |
am not accustomed to fire at an un-
armed man; we will therefore begin |
anicw. Come. let us draw for the first
shot.
~ was bewildered. l believe that /
resisted at first but lots were drawn
from his perforated cap. 1 had again
the first shot.
"Hou have excellent luck, my dear
Count he said with smile which /
shall never forget. Then, l know not
how it happened, l shot, and instead of
my opponent, struck that picture there.
The face of the Count became deeply
flushed, while that of the Countess grew
deathly pale.
"Sylvio now raised his pistol" the
Count continued, "and his manner
told me that this time had no pity to
expect. The door all at once opened,
and Nadjla rushed in with cry, and
threw herself on my breast. Her pres
ence restored my self-possession. l
broke out into gay laugh: silly one,'
l said, do you not see that we are only