Connecticut western news., 1880-11-03

I remarked that the canvass was pierced by two bullets, one evidently aimed at the other.
 ella! that was something like g shot," I cried, turning toward the Count.
 "Yes," he said; "rather 8 singular shot. Are you good hand at the pis- tol ?" he continued.
 "Well, yes-so-so," I answered, de- lighted at the chance of speaking on subject I was not wholly ignorant of. "At thirty paces I warrant myself never to miss a card, always provided I know the pistols"
 "Really p said the Countess with an air of profound interest. Then, address ing her husband, she added "And you, dearest, do you think you could hit a card at thirty paces ?"
 "You shall see," replied the Count. " I used not to be bad shot in my day; but it is quite four years since I had a pistol in my hand"
 "In that case, Count, I don't mind betting that, even at attwenty paces, you're not able to hit the spot. The pistol in- sists on constant practice. Iknow it by experience. In my regiment I passed for one of the best marksmen. It hap pened once that I was month without taking up a pistol mine were at the armorer's. We went out for target practice. What do you think came to pass, Count? I missed bottle at i've and-twenty paces four consecutive times. We had 8 squadron-leader in ours-a jolly fellow, but terrible joker. 'Phew! comrade, he said, you're altogether too sober You have too much respect for the bottles.' Believe me, Count, if you don't practice you must rust. The best shot ever met kept his hand in by fir ing his pistol every day. if it was only three shots before dinner. He would as soon fail to have his three shots as to take his nip of brandy before soup."
 The Count and Countess seemed to take a pleasure in hearing me rattle on thus.
 "And what sort of shots used he to make ?'' demanded the Count.
 "What sort? Wait till you hear. Suppose he saw fly creeping on the wall. You laugh, Countess? I swear to you it's true. 'Eh, Kouzka, pistol. Kouzka brought him loaded pistol. Ping! There was the fly fattened upon the wall."
 "What skill !" exclaimed the Count. "What was your mans name ?''
 "Silvio, Count"
 "Silvio!' exclaimed the Count, spring ing to his feet. ':You knew Silvio?"
 "Did I know him ? We were the best of friends. He used to mix with our corps as if he were one of ourselves. But it is good five years since I heard any tidings of him. So, as it appears, he had the honor to be known to you, Count"
 "Yes, known, very well known"
 "I wonder did he ever tell you curi. ous story of an adventure that occurred to him once? A story about box or the ear he got one, evening from an ani mal-"
 "Did he not tell you the name of the animal? ?"
 "No, he never mer toned it. Pardon Count" cried, suspecting the fact, "] was not aware. Am I right in thinking it was you?"
 "I am the person in question:" an swered the Count, confused in his turn "and the hole in that picture is souv enir of our last interview.
 "For the love of God, dear, don speak of it p cried the Countess. "I makes me shudder stin.'
 "No," said the Count. ''I must tel the story to this gentleman. He know I had the misfortune to offend his friend It is only right he should learn how hi friend avenged himself"
 :. The Count motioned me to an arm chair, and I listened with the liveies curiosity to the following recital
 "Five years ago I got married.
 spent my honeymoon here, in thi chateau. To this old building are al tached recollections of the happies hours of my life, and likewise of one (
 the most fearful and afhicting.
 cone evening we went out riding
 My wife's horse began to shy and rear
 she was somewhat alarmed, and dis
 mounted, asking me to lead him hom by the bridle, while she regained tn
 chateau on foot. At the gate found post-caleche. I was informed there we 8 strange gentleman in my study, wh had refused to give his name, but sai
 he wanted to see me on very seriou private business. I came into this yer room, and, in the twilight, I could di tinguish man, dust-covered, and wit long beard, standing before the chin ney. Iwent up to him, vainly joggin i my memory as to where had seen tt
 face before.
 "'You do not recognize me, Count he said, in tremulous voice. "sSilvio ? cried; and i confess
 could almost believe l felt my hai 7 standing erect on my head. Precisely he added, 'and it is n
 turn to fire. I have come to dischare my debt. Are you ready?'
 "I could see pistol peeping from h [ side-pocket. I stepped twelve pace I and I stood there, in that corner, pra, . ing him to make haste, and fire befo,
 my wife came back. He was in no hurr s he said and he asked for lights. The l brought in some wax-candles. Q "I shut the door, ordered the servan d to let nobody enter, and again I call v on him to fire. He raised his pistc