The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-30

! barrassrfient returned. The Count intro
duced me, and the two, In order 70 give ~,
time, conversed together freely, ana treaee'
me like an old acquaintance. In the mean
looked at the pictures on the wall. one Q
which especially attracted my attention. L
Represented Swiss landscape but ic wa
not the scene which the artist had painted
nor his skill that drew my gaze, but MARI
in the canvass made by two bullets. ON
resting on the other. -,
"This was q wonderful shot, Count "
cried.
sYes, and there is remarkable circum
stance connected with it. Are you gooc
| shot?"
II am sure of hitting the ace of hearts a
| thirty PAGES"
{" Really?" cried the Countess. "Tha
shows great skill. Can you do It, Wasil =
"There was time, when / was in prac
tice but l have not touched pistol II
FIVE years"
"Then I will wager that you cannon M
the card at twenty PAGES. Such deXterltI
requires daily practice. The best shos
know cut daily three bullets on the edge 0
a knife; If he saw fly on the wall-ah
YOU are smiling, gracious Countess, but
assure you il is the exact truth"
"Ah! What was the mans name I"
"Sylvio, your Excellency."
"Have you known him?" cried The
Count, springing from the chair. "Haye
YOU known him? You have known Syl'
yio?"
@"Whv should not? We were friends
| He lived in Woologdu as my comrade; but
for five years have heard nothing OF MIN
| You, then, also are acquainted with hlmI',
eyes, was and if you were a frlend OF
his he has certainly told you of curious
story" 80
! ceived ?"
II do. Did he tell you the name of the
eiver?"
ono, your Excellency."
Struck by sudden thougnt, Sn-eu ..
the Count. "Could it have possibly Deen
your" ...u,
tbere are the last memorial Of him."
II beg YOU, Wasil, do not tell the story ;
| cannot bear to hear it"
"But I must, Nadejda. This gentleman
knows that I once injured his friend; ne
must also learn how he avenged himself.
IT is five wears since we were married. Our
honeymoon was passed at this castle. l
had ridden out one evening with the
Countess, and was returning home, when
her horse suddenly reared and would go no
further. She became frightened, sprang
Of, and, throwing me the bride, went
home on foot. What can be the matter
with the animal?' she said, sit is usually
so quiet and gentle. I almost fear some
misfortune is awaiting us at home l
laughed her out of it as went beside her,
leading her horse by the bride until we
reached the castle. I noticed strange
dorschke in the courtyard, and inquired
to whom it belonged. ] was told that 1t
belonged to gentleman who had declined
to give his name, and was who awaiting me
in the cabinet. went there. In the corner
50 q long-bearded man, covered with dust.
7 or. ed at him inquiringly."
ssYon do not recognize me, COUNT!
aSvlyio.'" I confess that my hair stood
on end. ;, ho orou,lod draw
ing pistol out OF his case ARE you ready
now" r,o5o;no h;s
RIGHT and measuring OIL ten PAGES, L
nlsced myself in that cornt #, praying MN
to end it quickly, before my vile snouia
come in. ,.-,,, Ordor 1io,b+c m
be brought" a,,+ u-,ot ho do-
e.nod i" Z nlaced myself for the second time
=, nosition. Perhaps minute passed-lt
40 med q century to me. lie sald mo, !
Soa:t ike this. l am not accustomed 10
Sro Of an unarmed man we VIII, there
fore e, q" heoif, anew. Come, let US draw for
'lT V was I bewi} dered I believe that / re.
s;st,d NJ Srst but lots were drawn from
his perforated can. l had again the nrs'
sn "iou have ex, client luck; my dear
Count" he said, witt = smlle "altn ho Sra ~
never forget. Then. i hnom ~" Of NV ON n.
happened-I shot, ana i LIS IT, VI ii'' VIZ
ponent, struck that pictL re t LIZ, doen,v
osbad While that of the Countess grew
deathly pale. vtbe Ceunt
continued" and his manner tol = n' T 1M"s
this time I had no pity to expe. y dd 4 ae
door aIl at once opened, and \ au ave I'd
rnshed IN with cry, and threw herss IL ao Tsl
nv breast. Her presence restored my 'oi,'
nossession, | broke out into gay Tau; u.
.Sillv one said, do you not see that we
are only in fun? There is wager penmhS.
How can YOU be such coward! 60 cflnh
glass Of water, and come PACK again; anu
| will introduce to you an OLD trlenu.
"Slc lOOhtu uuAlOuSly aho 49,
me. L adjure you by your soufS lutufe
welfare turning to Sylvio,, Is TINS only
sport:' Certainly, beautiful Countess,
said Sylyio, sneeringly, nothing but mere
snort! We two have been accustomed 10
anuse each other. Your husband, one me
evening, struck me in the face-out OF sport
| Another time he shot 4 bullet through my
| cap-also out Of sport! To-day, again out
| of snort, he missed his shot for the second
! time there is the ball he intended for me
| in the picture. Now l intend having some
sport myself
"With these words he raised the pisto
TO the level of my heart. With loud
scream, Nadcjda threw herself weeping al
fare YOU not ashamed?' I cried to him
ut this sight. sShoot and make an end O
| it!' r,
"No,' he said, unlocking his pistol,
have seen you tremble-you are afraid Il
| die!'
"With this he went to the door, but OF
the threshold he turned towards TINS PIC
ture, cooking his pistol, and, without tax
Ing aim. fired. That might be sure OF Ill
unerring aim, he had driven has bullet upol
mine. Ny people did not dare to detail
him: in dumb terror they let him depart
| I have never seen Sylvio since; he resntere'
the service, and fell, as I have heard q
Sebastopol."
! -,,-..yr.. :. rn WAKE