Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-03-05

sand the perforated picture is the remi-
uiscence OF our last meeting"
aOhi pray, DEAR" said the Countess
" pray do not speak of it. dread near
ing the story"
No."replied he, shall relate the
whole of it. He knows how offended
his friend, let him now also know now
Silvio took his revenge"
The Count babe me be seated, and 1
listened with the liveliest curiosity TO the
following recital: ~,
81 was married five years ago. The
first month, the honeymoon, was spent IN
this village 1t is to this house that am
indebted for the happiest as also Tor one
OF the saddest moments of my life.
1--WE were out riding one evening; my
wife's horse became unmanageable; she
got frightened, gave me her bride, and
set out homeward on foot. / saw upon
entering the stabie-yard travelling teeega,
and was informed that a gentleman, VINO
had refused to give his name, and had
simply said that he had some business 70
transact, was waiting for me In the
library. / entered the room, and In the
twilight saw a man covered with dust
and wearing q long beard. he was
standing by the fireplace. l approached
him. trying TO recall to mind his features.
Thou dost not recognize me, Count
said he, with trembling voice. Silvlo!
exclaimed /; and l confess / felt my
hair stand on end! Yes, 1t is l. he con-
tinued; sthe shot remains with me; have
come to discharge my pistol; art thou
readys' The pistol protruded out OF MS
aide rocket. I measured twelve PAGES and
stood there in that corner, begging him
TO fire quickly, before my wife returned.
He hesitated--he asked for lights Can
dies were brought in. / shut the door,
gave orders that no one should come In,
and again begged him to fire. lie took
out his pistol and proceeded to take aim:
II was counting the seconds: Il
thought of her. :. One dreadful minute
passed! Silvio let his arm drop. re-
greet said he, that my pistol is not
loaded with cherry stones. The bullet
is heavy. This appears to me not duel
but murder; am not accustomed to aim
at an unarmed man; let us begin anew
let us draw lots who is to have the hrst
fire. MY head swan. ;. Il suppose l was
not consentiHg. ;. AT last another pistol
was loaded two bits of paper were rolled
up; he placed them in the cap had once
shot through; I again drew the winning
number. Thou art devilish lucky,
Count said he, with an ironical smile !!
can never forget. / do not understand
what possessed me and by what means he
forced me to it. Z. but l fired-and hit
that picture there"
The Count pointed to the perforated
picture; his face was crimson; the Count
ess had become whittier than her handker-
chief; | could not suppress an exclama-
ton.
II fred" the Count went on, and,
thank God, missed. Then Silvio Che
looked reall Y dres dful at that moment)-
Silvio aimed at me. Suddenly the doors
opened, Masha rushed in, and with a
scream threw herself on my neck. Her
presence restored TO me all my courage.
Darling said l, don't you see that we
are joking? How frightened you are! 60
and take glass of water and come back to
me l shall Introduce an old friend and COM
rade to YOU. Masha still doubted. Tell
me, is what my husband says true?' said
she, turning to the somber Silvio; is it
true that YOU are both in funi' He is
always in fun, Countess replied Silvio.
Once upon time he gave me box on
the ear, in fun; in fun, he shot through
this cap; in fun, he just now missed me
now / have fancy TO be in fun also
SO saying, he was about to take
aim before her Masha threw herself at
his feet. Get up, Masha, for shameP !
exclaimed, enraged; and you, sir, will
you cease jeering at poor woman? Are
you, or are you not, going to fireY
am not going to- answered SiIvio; am
content. / have seen your hesitation,
your timidity. ! made you fire at me.
am satisfied. You will remember me.
I leave you to your conscience!
Here he was about to take his departure
but, stopping in the doorway, he
looked at the perforated picture, fired his
pistol at 1t, almost without aiming, and
disappeared. My wife had tainted
the servants dared not stop him
and looked at him with terror; he walked
out, called the iamshtchik and drove off
before had even time to recover my
self"
The Count concluded. Thus did
learn the ending of story which had 81
interested me at its commencement
did not again meet its hero. 1t was sale
that at the time of the revolt under Alex
ander Ypsilanti, Silvio commanded {
detachment Of the Hertar9, and wa
killed in the combat before Skulleni.-
Translated from the Russian for 50. Paul
M1o1zins