Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-30

Dance. He received me In the frankest and
most amlaole manner. 1 made an effort to
compliments as neighbor, when he anticipated
me Dy gracefully telling me that should be
always welcome to his house while he was there.
We seated ourselves. The conversation full of
naturalness and affability, soon soothed nv
savage tim1dity, and began to feel myself In
my ordinary groove, when suddenly the Coun-
ment greater than before. She was truly
beauty the Count presented me- l endeavored
10 assume Tree and easy manner, but the more
tried the more awkward I became. My hosts,
In ORDER to give me an opportunity to collect
myself and get accustomed to my new acquaint-
ances, began chatting to one another, as If to
snow 81 wv me they treated me, without ceremony
ABOUT the study, looking at the books and pic
lures. l am not much OF a connoisseur as far
as pictures go, but there was one which riveted
Switzerland; but it was not the merit of the
iandscape which struck me most remarked
mat the canvas was pierced by two bullets, one
EVIDENTLY aimed at the other.
ma! that was something like a shot" cried,
turning toward the Count
Yes" he said; 'rather singular shot. Are
you good hand at the pistol?" he continued.
We'll, yes-so-so,"I answered. delighted at
the chance of speaking on subject was not
wholly ignorant of. "At thirty PAGES warrant
my o never to miss card, always provided
Realty said the Countess with an air OF pro-
found interest. Then, addressing her husband,
could hit card at thirty paces?'
"We shall see,' replied the Count. 81 used not
70 o DE bad shot In my day; but it is quite four
years since had pistol in my hand"
In that case, Count, / don't mind betting
mat even at twenty PAGES, you're not able to
nlI me spot The pistol Insists on constant
practice. know it by experience: In my reg
IL happened once that was month without
taxing up pistol; mine were at the armorer's.
we went out for target practice. What do you
no nod I,ott 10
at flve:and-twenty PAGES four consecutive
times: We had a squadron-leader In ours-a
Jolly fellow, but terrible JOKER "Phew! com.
You have too much respect for the bottles. -
Believe me, Count, ii you don't practice you
must rust. The best shot l ever met kept his
only three shots before dinner. He would as
soon fall to Lave his three shots as to take his
nip OF brandy before soup.
pleasure In hearing me rattle on thus.
And what sort Of shots USED he to make ~
demanded the Count.
What sort? Walt till you hear: Suppose
ne saw fly creeping on the wall. You laugh
Countess? / swear to you its true. Eth,
KouHka, a pistol KOuZka brought him loaded
R Eha Wa, fng! There was the fly lattened upon
"What skill!" exclaimed the Count. What
was your mans name?"
"Silv1o, Count"
."silvto!n exclaimed the Count sprlnglag to
his feet. "You knew Silvio?"
Did / know him? We were the best of
friends. He used to mix with our corps as IL
ne were one OF ourselves. But it Is good five
years since heard any tidings of him SO, as
IL appears, he had the honor to be known to
you, COunt?"
Eyes, known. very well known"
81 wonder did he ever tell you curious story
OF an adventure that occurred to him once? A
story about box on the ear he got one eve
ming from an animal"
did he not tell you the name of the
anImal?'
NO, he never mentioned it--Pardon. Count"
AM s ss IN th9kng iet was youS not aware
81 am the person in question" answered the
Count, confused In his turn; land the hole In
that picture is souvenir OF our last interview"
"For the love OF God dear, don't speak of It,"
cried the Countess. 1T makes me snudder
NO" said the Count 81 must tell the
story to this gentleman. He knows had the
misfortune to offend his friend. It is only
right he should learn how his friend avenged
himself" The Count mOtioned me to an arm
chair and / listened with the nVelle5t curiosity
to the following recital