The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-11-18

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until thev sent to the regiment n rich young fell
low who belonged to distinguished family.
shall not tell you his name. Never did meet
luckier dog; his luck was almost lnsolent. nc
ture to Yourself youth, wit, a fine figure sprighty
spirits bravery reckless of danger, an hOnored
name, as much money as he wished and more
than he could ever possibly spend and now try
and bring before your mind the effect that his ar
rival produced amongst us was nowhere. My
scepter broken. At the outset, dazzled by
my reputation, he sought to make me his friend
But | received his advances coldly, and he PAID
me off in my own coin. Without appearing in
the least mortified he left me to myself. L con-
ceived mortal grudge against him. His success
in the regiment and amongst the women drove
me to desperation ! swore Pd pick quarrel
with him. To my epigTams lac retOrted with cpl
grams that always struck me more piqUant and
original than mine, and which, must admit, in
any case, were much more lively. He Jestedi
hated; that made the difference. At last, one
day, at ball at Polish landed prOpretOrs, see
ing that he was the object of attention from sew
| eral ladies, especially from the mistress of the
house, with whom had been pet, went over
10 him and whispered some gross and stupid inn
pertinence. He burst into passion and gave me
"a box on the ear. We flew 10 our sabers, the la
dies tainted, the guests parted Us and the spot
we quilted the chateau To make our preparations
for mortal combat.
"Day was breaking. ] was at the trysting-
ground with my three witnesses waiting NV ad-
versary with mad impatence. The Summers
sun rose and the heat already began TO grill us
/ saw him i'm the distance. lie was on foot, in his
shirt sleeves, carrying his jacket over his sabcr-
hilt. and accompanied 10y single second. We
set out To meet them. A. he came nearer to me-
/ could perceive that i'm one hand he held his cap
which full of cherries. Our seconds placed Us
at twelve PAGES apart. IL was my privilege 10 fire
first but passion and hatred got 80 much the bet
ter OF me that was afraid should not be able TO
keep my wrist steady. In order to gain time 10
cool down. / conceded the first fire 10 him. He
refused il. We then determined 10 settle il by
drawing lots He won, this eternally spoiled
child Of fortune. He pulled trigger, and pierced
my bonnet dc police. II was my turn now. At
last had his life i'm my hands. i ~crutlnlZed him
with "a fierce avidity, trying 10 catch, i'm the eX-
preston of his features, at least shade OF emo
tion. No There he was, under cover of my
pistol and not "a twitch i'm brows or lips, not the
symptom of "a change Of color in his cheeks. He
quietly picking the rIpeSt cherries out of his
cap and blowing the stones from his mouth, like "a
-chooboy, until they yamo>t fell at my feet. This
cold-blooded compo~ure made me feel like "a devil
"'What il 10 be gained said 10 myself 'by
taking this mans life, seeing that he sets such
small store by it?'
'An atrociOu~ idea shot across my brain. ! let
down the hammer of my pistol.
"'lt seems said ], that you're hardly i'm
mood % die $40 present. You prefer TO breakfast.
Take IL c1~y; : have no wish 10 disturb YOU
"'iou't mix yourself mp I'm my concerns ne
answered. 'but take the trouble of firing pray.
For the matter of that, DO you please. You
have always that pi~toi--hot 20 your credit and
shall be at your service whenever you wish 10
discharge it,
II left it with my friends 10 whom | said that
did not intend to effect the exchange OF shots for
the moment And thus the affair terminated
IL sent i'm my resignation, and Withdrew To this
village. Not day has passed since then that
have not dreamt of revenge. Now the hour has
come
Silvio drew from his pocket the letter ne had
received i'm the morning and gave 10 me To read.
Somebody-his lawyer, presumaby y-wrotc to him
from Moscow that the person in question was on
the eve of marrying young and beautiful lady.
''Noudivine," said Silvio, ''who il the person in
question. / am starting for Moscow. Wen see
if he'll face death in the middle of a wedding with
the same composure that he did In front of
pound of cherries -
At these words he rose, threw his cap on the
floor and began striding 10 and fro like a tiger in
a cage. / had listened to him, outwarlly passive,
but racled by thousand contending sentiments.
y servant, entering, announced that the horses
had arrived SilviO shook me warmly by the
hand, and we embraced. He jumped into a
caleche, i'm which there were two boxes, one con-
tanning his collection of pistols, the other his lug
gage. We said adieu once more and the horses
went off at a canter.