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


give years ago l got married. 1 spent the
honeymoon here, in this chateau. To this old
building are attached recoilections OF the hap
p1est hours OF my life, and likewise OF one of the
"One evening we went out riding My wite's
horse began to Shy and rear; She was some what
aaiia1m hea ana sn asking me to lead
Chateau on foot. At the gate 1 found post
caleche. 1 was informed there was strange
gentleman In my study, who had refused to
give his name, but said he wanted to see me on
very serious private business. 1 came into this
very room, and, in the twilight, could distin
gulsh man, dust lowered, and with long
beard, standing before the chimney. 1 went
where had seen the face before.
,1 You 90 not recognize me, Count7" he saiiia
.silvio?" cried; and confess could almos5
head. 49,
Precisely" he added, "and it is my turn t,
nre: IN l have come to discharge my debt. Are
II could see pistol peeping from his side.
pocket l stepped twelve PAGES, and 1 stool
6ss1s and tfae PRAYING him to make
was In no hurry, he said; and he asked 70 :
lights: They brought in some wax candles.
~ smut the door, ordered the servants to let
NOBODY enter, and again called on him to fire.
he raised bis pistol, and took aim at me- 49, Il
counted the seconds. e. L thought OF her
Ihls lasted one awful minute. Silyio lowered
his weapon.
Il am very much annoyed" he said THAT
my pistol Is not charged w1th-cherry stones
49,. "A bullet Is hard. But have another
idea This business is more like murder than
an unarmed man. Let us begin 1t all over again,
and draw lots for the first fire."
My head turned. At first, l imagine, l
refused, but finally we loaded another pistol.
into the very cap he had worn when T sent
bullet whHzing through it. l dipped into the
cap, and drew the paper marked number one.
You have the devils luck, Count" he said
with grin shall never forget.
CANNOT understand what power took pos
session OF me, or how he succeeded In constratn-
ing me; but Gid fire, and my bullet lodged in
that picture
The Count pointed with his finger to the
canvas traversed by the p.stol-shot. His face
was red as hot iron. The Countess was winter
than her lace handkerchief AS for me, cou ID
hardly suppress cry.
II had fired my shot, therefore" pursued the
Count, "and, thanks be to God, / had missed
-: Then silvio-how demoniac a vlsage he
had at that moment!-deliberately adjusted his
weapon, and levelled the deadly barrel straight
between my eyes Suddenly the door dew open
Macha burst into the room and claSped herself
round my neck. Her presence restored ma tn
1rmnesS
Ny Gear" said, 'can you not see that we
are joking? What a tremOr you are in! Go,
go, drink glass OF water, and return, aud 1
rade."
''Macha miStrusted me-"
''Tell me, Is this that my husband says true?"
s shet Tda ase , e the terrible s0 s 1t
"He is always joking, Countess" replied Sill
Vfo "Once. out Of pure jest, he gave me box
on the ear; out OF pure jest he planted a bullet
IN my cap; out OF pure jest while ago he
missed me with his pistol Now it is my turn
to have my little laugh"
'At these words he covered me anew under
the eyes OF my wife, Macha fell at his feet
'Rise. Macha =! Are you not ashamed of your
self?' shouted with rage. 'And you, sir, do
you Wish TO drive an unfortunate woman dc
hrlous? Will you fire? Yes or no?"
II 90 not care to now, thank you am sat.
sfed. have enjoyed your suffering and your
weakness. have compelled you to fire upon
me- You Will recollect me. I leave you to your
conscience"
HE made step toward the door, and, halt
ing at the threshold, he threw quick glance at
the perforated picture, and, almost without
troubling TO take aim, he fired, doubled my
9ul.et, and walked out. MY wife SWooned. MY
uonestlcS did not dare to bar his passage, but
t,sIreated before him, appalled, He reached
Tue entrance steps, called his postillion, and
. uSioIe l had time to recover my presence OF
mamu, ne mad disappeared"
Inc count hal old his story.
anus learned the end of an episode the
~ upe ah OF which had puzzled me. never saw
~ In, nefo OF 1t again. They say that SIlvfo
}a1neu the 1nsurrect1on OF Alexandra Ypsi-
rant, ana was slain at the head OF pand OF
sre az the disaster OF Skou liani.-Tfns-
aDS Magazine.