Litchfield enquirer., 1874-02-19
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your Excellency, continued l, the truth beginning to dawn upon me, 'T beg your pardon-I was not aware-can it be your
 'I, myself, !" answered the Count, with an exceedingly perturbed countenance, "and the perforated picture is the remin- 1scence of our last meeting.''
 "Oh, pray, dear," said the Countess. pray do not speak of it. dread hear ing the story"
 ''No," replied he, ''I shall relate the whole of it. He knows how offended his friend; let him now also know how Silyio took his revenge"
 The Count bade me be seated, and I hastened with the liveIiest curiosity to the following recital:
 "I was married five years ago. The first month. the Honeymoon, was spent in this village. It is to this house that am in- debted for the happiest, as also for the saddest moments of my life.
 We were out riding one evening; my Wlte,s horse became unmanageable; she got frightened, gave me her bridle, and set out homeward on foot. I saw upon entering the stable-yard travelling telega, and was informed that gentleman, who had refused to give his name, and had simply said that he had some business to transact, was waiting for me in the libra ry. l entered this room, and in the twi- light saw man covered with dust and wearing long beard. He was standing by the fireplace. l approached him, try Ing to recall his features. Thou dost not recognize me, Count, said he, with trem- bling voice. 'Silvio ? exclaimed I; and confess felt my hair stand on end :! Yes, 1t IS l, he continued, the shot is with me; have come to discharge my pistol; art thou ready?' The pistol protruded out of his side pocket I measured twelve paces, and stood there, in that corner, begging him to fire quickly, before my wife returned. He hesitated: he oNl,~1 should n and auan nG % one fire. We took out his pistol, and pro- ceeded to take aim . . | was counting the seconds .,,I thought of her . One dreadful minute passed Silvio let his arm drop. T regret, said he, that my pistol is not loaded with cherry-stones. =. The bullet is heavy. This appears to me not like duel, but murder; am not ac- customed to aim at an unarmed man; let us begin anew; let us draw lots who is to have the first fire. My head swan . f | supposed was not consenting; At last another pistol was loaded two bits of pa per 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. I do not under stand what possessed me, and by what means he forced me to it but I fired and hit that picture there."
 The Count pointed to the perforated picture; his face was crimson; the Count ess had become winter than her handker- chief; could not suppress an exclama- tion.
 II fred" the Count went on, ''and, thank God, missed. Then Silvio Che looked really dreadful at that moment) Silvio aimed at me- Suddenly the door opened, Masha rushed in, and with scream threw herself on my neck. Her presence restored to me all my courage. Darling, said I, don't you see that we are joking? How frightened you are Go and take glass of water and come back to us; I shall introduce an old friend and comrade to you.' Masha still doubt ed. Tell me, is what my husband says true?" said she, turning to the sombre Silvio. 'Is it true that you are both in fun ? 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 justnow | AAAASSSNA my AON Il AhNC ~ AdllCJ LO OC HI fun also.' So saying he was about to take aim--before her Masha threw her self at his feet. Get up, Masha; for shame ]! I exclaimed, enraged; and you, Sir, will you cease jeering at poor wom- an? Are you. or are you not, going to fire I am not going to- answered Sil- vio, I am content. have seen your he's itation, your timidity. I made you fire at me, I am satisfied You will remem- Der 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 it, almost without aiming, and disappear ed. My wife had tainted; the servants dared not stop him, and looked at him with terror; he walked out, called the iGnashtc1tik, and drove off before I had even time to recover myself"
 The Count concluded. Thus did I learn the ending of story which had SO | interested me at it's commencement. did not again meet it's hero. It was said l that at the time of the revolt under Alex ander Ypsilanti, Silvio had commanded a detachment of the Hetere, and was killed in the combat before Skulleni.-,Sdint PauPs Magazine.
 H cavalry officer whose drinking powers and bravery have been immortalzed by the rior-poet, Denis Davidof, femp. Alexander D. l -Tr.