Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-02

What skilIpcried the count. And
what was his name?
'Silviop
'Silviop cried the count, Jumping to
his feet. You knew SilvioF
We were close friends; he was with us
in the regiment like comrado. But
now five years have passed since | had
any news of him. And 80 he has.the
honor of being known to you, count p
Perfectly. Did he ever tell you a
strange adventure that happened himW
"A blow that be received at a soiree9"
Did he ever tell you the name of the
man P
No, Count, he did not toll me- |
exclaimed, guessing the truth, excuse
me, can it have been you, Count?
Myself replied the conut, with an
air of confusion, "and that picture with
a hole in it is a souvenir of our last
interview
'Ah ! my friend, do not speak of that
1t terrifes me still" said the countess.
Ono" said the count. | must relate
the affair to the gentleman, He knows
how had tho misfortune TO offend his
friend, it is just that he should know
how he avenged himself"
The count drew up chair, and l
listened with most lively curiosity to
the following narrative.
Twas married years ago. The first
month the honeymoon, l passed here
in this chateau. One night riding my
wife's horse became FESTIVE; she dis
mounted and returned to the chateau
while, l led her horse. AT the door |
found travelling carriage. / was infor
med that a man who had refused to give
his name was waiting for me in my
cabinet. | entered and in the twilight
saw man with long beard and Gov
cred with dust standing up before the
chimney piece. l approached trying to
recOlleCt his features. 1t was Silvio. l
avow that II thought | felt my hair
stending on end. 'Silvionp | cried,
Quite so,' be cried, now it is my time
to shoot. | have come to fire my pistol.
Are you ready ?" l saw pistol in his
side pocket, l measured twelve PAGES
and went to place myself in that corner
there, and begging him to shoot quickly
before my wife came in. He refused
and asked for some light. Some candles
were brought in. l shut the door, and
gave orders that no one should be
allowed to enter, then again summoned
him to fire. He raised his pistol and
took AIM counted the secOnds-I
thought of her-it was terrible. Silvio
lowered his arm. lam sorry he said,'
but my pistol is not charged with cherry
stOnes-a ball is hard-but it seems to
me that what we are about is more like
murder than duel. am not accus-
toned to fire on disarmed man. Let
us begin the matter over again Let us
draw lots to SEQ who shall fire.
My head was turning. 1t appears that
| refused. At least we loaded another
pistol. We placed two slips of paper
in the very cap that my ball had
traversed formerly, | again had the
number |. You are confoundedly
lucky said SilviO, with smile l shall
never forget, do not know what hap
poned, or how he managed to constrain
me, but | fired, and my ball struck that,
picture"
The count pointed to the picture.
His face was red as fire. The countess
was whittier than her handkerchief, and
could hardly repress a cry.
| fired them coutin ned the count
and thank heaven | missed him. Then
Silvio-at that moment he was really
terriblo-tOok aim at me. Suddenly the
door opened Macha rushed in. Her
presence restored my calmness. My
dear said to her, do you not see that
we are joking, Go and drink glass of
water, and then come back She asked
of the terrible Silvio, is it true that you
are joking" He is always joking
countess replied Silvio. Once, in a
joke he gave me slap in the face in a
joke he sent ball through my cap; in a
joke has just missed me, Now it is my
turn to joke With these words he took
aim at me under my wife's eyes. Macha
had fallen at my feet. Rise, Macha are
you not ASHAMED 7 | exclaimed with
rage. And you sir, do you wish to drive
the poor woman mad Will you fire,
yes or noP No, l have seen your con-
fusion. l have forced you to fire at me-
abandon you to your conscience, and
he took a step towards the door, stop
ped on the Threshold, glanced at the
picture and almost without taking aim,
fired, and doubled my ball. My, wife