Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-12
tContinded from first pagel

which had left their marks through the
canvass, side by side.
.'That was splendid shot :" | cried.
turning toward the count
Yes, it was good shot, ." he answered
"Have you practiced much with the pis-
tolg'
''Oh, little," replied, full of JOY at
striking upon a subject with which was
conversant. 81 do not think | should miss
the Jack Of Diamonds at thirty PAGES, pro-
vided of course that the weapons were re-
LIABLE
'lndeed.' said the countess. with evil
dent interest. And really are you so ex-
pert Pr
That we shall see after WHILE" re-
turned her husband. There was time,
when | myself was not counted a bad
marksman. though for several years now
| have not had pistol in my hand
''ln that case" said |. Il will wager
that your lordship cannot hit the card at
twenty PAGES. In order to shoot with ac-
curacy, one must practice every day. as
feel quite sure from my own experience.
used to be known in my regiment as
capital shot, but when once ! allowed
month to pass without having had the pis-
tolls in my hand, failed at a bottle twen-
" PAGES, four times before | broke it.
One of our cavalry men, who was some
thing of wag made a great point upon
my being no longer able to break the
neck of a bottle. 1t is, as | said, neces-
sary to practice constantly in order to be
reliable. The best pistol shot that ever
knew used TO fire at least three times
every day just before eating dinner. That
was AS much his habit as a glass of bran
DIV before the soup"
The count and countess seemed to be
very much relieved in seeing that had
shaken off my embarrassment.
Aud what sort of a shot was your
friend?" the count asked.
take for example, fly upon the wall.
Your ladyship smiles, see. but it is true
One time, when he saw a fly he shouted
'Ruska, my pistolsr Ruska brought the
loaded weapons. and the next moment il
was done--a bail had dashed the fly into
fragments"
IA most remarkable shot," said the
count. "And what was your friends
name?n
"Silvio, your lordship."
"Silyiol1 cried the young man rising
hastily. do you then know SilvioP"
"Yes, your lordship we were friends
He used to be sort of comrade with all
the officers of my regiment. But it is now
five years since heard of him-do you
know him too ?"
Eyes, that do ! Has he never told you
of rather odd incident in his life2
docs your lordshp refer to an event
that once occurred a. ball, when some
good-for-nothing slapped his ear?
''And has he never told you the fellows
name ?'
mo, your lordship" And then, seized
with a sudden presentiment, | added
Count, pardon met was you. posi-
bly,"
at was l." returned the count with
considerable warmth land those two
balls through the canvas attest our last
meeting"
''Do not speak of it, for Gods sake,
darling cried the countess. 1t is so terri
ble"
Eyes, ] must replied the count, and
turning to me. he continued: You have
heard how / insulted your friend; now
You shall know what was his revenge"
With these words he offered me chair,
which accepted, and listened with the
closest attention to the counts narrative
IL have been married five years now,"
he commenced, land here where spent
the honeymoon have passed the happest
moments of my life. And yet this is the
scene of an occurrence that continually
Expresses me. One evening l had been
out for pleasure-ride with my wife, her
horse became restless and fearing an ac-
cident, she gave the bride to me, and dis
mounted. In order to return home on foot.
In the courtyard | found strange car
riage. and concluded that some person
awaited me in my study. / entered and
observed gentleman in dusty garments
seated near the hearth, | approached to
see II recognized his face, when he said
in an unsteady voice;
Is Count, do you not know me p"
'SiIyioH" | cried, and own that in
an instant my hair stood on end.
Il am be,'" he said, ".you know that
one shot belongs to mel came to unload
my pistol. But you-are you ready?"
with that his weapon appeared out of
an inside pocket.
1 measured back wards twelve PAGES,
stood facing him and begged that he
would fire quickly, before NV wife re-
turned. He delayed and demanded more
light. a servant brought in candles, II
ordered him to admit no one, and again
took my place. Silvio loaded his pistol
and aimed. | counted the seconds and
thought of my beloved wife.
. a fearful moment passed.
Sipio 81 his arm drop.
60 ! am sorry he said, that the pistol
Is not loaded with cherry pit. The bali
is heavy; and though care not for duels
don't want TO murder you. cannot
lire on an unarmed man. We shall com.
mence from the beginning. The lot shall
decide who shoots first. "
g." Ny head swan. I opposed
and rejected the proposition. However,
we loaded second pistol and made two
lots, which Slyio threw into his hat. The
first sho. fell TO me.
What went through my thoughts
now he succeeded IN overcoming nv op-
position cannot understand; il is enough
that J shot, and that the bullet pierced
yonder picture"
he count pointed to the painting that
mad attracted my attention. His face was
flushed, while that of the countess was as
white as death. and could not suppress
an ejaculation of horror.
=" shot went on the count aoai,
but thank God, missed. With a