New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-24
sTTyIO's EXPLANATION.

sILvIO'S EXPLANATION.
The others had departed, and we were left
alone seated face 20 face, smoking oar pipes IN
silence Silvio had a carewOrn air. There was
not the slightest trace on his features of his
convulsive gaiety. His sinister pallOr, his blaz-
ing eyes, the long curls of smoke which he
pulled from his mouth, gave him the aspect OF
a vertable demon. At the end of few
minutes, he broke the silence.
1t is possible he said 10 me, that we may
never see each other again. Before separating,
wish to have few words with you. You may
have remarked that | care little for the opinion
of the indi fferent but | have liking for yOu
and feel that it would cost me pang to leave
you with an unfavOrable opinion OF me-
He paused 10 knock thee ashes of the top of
his pipe. | SAID nothing, but TUNED my gaze
To he floor and waited
Ii must have appeared singular to YOU he
continued, that did not exact fuller satisac-
ton from that drunken fool Of lieutenant:
You will agree that, having the choice OF
weapons the idiots life was in my power, and
that ran no very great risk. | might speak OF
my moderation as generosity; but do not
wish to lie. If | could have administered a
correction to the fellow without hazarding my
life-mark me, without hazarding il in the least
he would not have got out of my clutches so
easily / looked at SilvlO with SURPRISE An
avowal like this mystitied and panied me. he
resumed:
Unfortunately, ! have not the right to ex-
pose myself to death. Six years ago got box
on the ear, and my enemy Is still living
My curiosity was wildly stirred.
And yOu did not fight him 7 | deman ted.
'Assuredly, some extraordinary circumstances
must have prevented the affair from coming off,
I did fight him. said SlviO quietly, and
here is a souvenir of our meeting
He rose and drew from box a cap of red
cloth with gold stripe and gland-a cap of the
make of those worn in cavalry undress, such as
the French call bonnet de police. He put 1t on
his head. lt was penetrated by bullet about
an inch above the temple.
You know said Silvio, that / served in the
Hussars. You can see the sort Of'man | ana
trihe Overbearng. l have the habit of COM
mand; to dominate is an instinct of my nature.
In my earlier days 1t was passion with me.
In my time, the rOysterers were the mode.
was the greatest rOYstereT and rOWdy In the
army. All Dragged then about getting drunk.
put under the table the famous b. mentioned
in the song by ID. D., that used to be sung at the
mess of the PIeObraj enski Guards. Every day
there were duels in our corps; every day
PLAYED my part as second or principal. My
comrades venerated me the superior officers,
who changed every other mCntn, regarded me
as a scOurge that they could not get rid or.
For my own part, pursued my career OF glory
TRANQUILITY, OF rather tumultuously, until they
sent to the regiment a rich young fellow VINO
belonged &c distinguished family. l shall not
tell you his name. Never did | meet luckier
dog his luck was almost lns0ent. Picture TO
yourself youth, wit, a fine figure, sprlghtly
spirits, bravery reckless OF danger, an h0n0red
name. as much money as he wished, ana more
than he could ever possibly spend; and now
try and bring before your mind the effect that
his arrival produced amongst us. l was no.
where. My sceptre was broken. AT the out
set, daZzled by my reputation, he sought 10
make me his friend. But | received hls ad-
vances coldly, and he paid me oil IN my own
coin. Without appearing in the least mortified;
he left me to myself. | conceived mortal
grudge against him. His success IN the regi-
fl. r. Al ma "a
desperation. | swOre I'd pick quarrel with
him. To my epigrams he retOrted with cpl
grams that always struck me as more plquant ana
original than mlne ana which, must admit, IN
any case, were much more lively. lie tested; l
hated that made the difference. At last one
day at a ball at Polish landed prOprietOrs,
seeing that he was the object or attention from
several ladies, especially from the mistress OF
the house, with whom | had been pet,
went over TO him and whispered some gross
and stupid impertlnence. lie burst INTO pas
sion and gave me a box on the ear. We flew
70 our sabTes, the ladies tainted, the guests
parted US, and, on the spot, we Quilted the
chateau to make our preparations for mortal
combat.
DAY was breaking | was at the trystlng-
ground with my three witnesses, waiting my
adversary with a mad lmpatience. The sum-
mer's sun rose, and the heat already began TO
GRILL US. | saw him III the distance. de was on
fOoI, in his shirt sleeves carrying MS Jacket
over MS sabIe-hit, and accompanied by Il single
second We set out to meet them. As he
came nearer to me, could perceive that in one
hand he held bis cap, which was full OF cherries
Our seconds placed us al twelve PAGES apart. 1t
was my privilege to lire first; but passion and
hatred GOT so much the better OF me tlat was
afraid | should rot be able to keep my wrisI
steady In order 10 gain time to cool down
conceded the first fire to him. He refused 1t.
We then determined TO settle 1t by drawing
lots. He won, this externally spoiled child OF
fortune lie pulled trigger, and pierced my
bonnet dc police. 1t was my turn now. AT last
| had his life in my grasp. l scrutnlzhd HIM
with fierce avidity, trying to catch, III the eX,
preston OF his features, at the least a shade OF
emotion. No! There he was, under cover or
nv pistol and not a twtch Ill brows or lips, not
the symptom of a change OF color IN MS cheeks.
He was quietly picking the rlDest cherries out
of his CAP and blowing the stones from BIS
mouth, like school boy, until they almost fell
at NV feet. THIS cOld-blo0ded compOsme
made me feel like devil.
~ What is to be gained said | TO myself,
" by taking this mans LIE, seeing that lie sets
such small store by Ii ~
An atrOcious idea shot across my brain.
let down the hammer of my pistol.
:" 1t seems said |, that you're hardly in
mood to die at present. You prefer to break
fast Take it easy have no wish to disturb
you"
'@Don't mix Yourself up in my con-
Germs" he answered, but take the trouble of
firing, pray. For the matter OF that, do as you
please. You have always that pistol-shot TO
your credit and 1 shall be nj your service
whene yer you wish 10 discharge IT,"
Il left with NV friends, 10 whom said that
did not intend 10 effect the exchange OF shots
for the moment. And thus the affair ter
minated.
Il sent in my resignation, and withdrew to
this village. Not a day has passed since then
that have not dreamt Of revenge. Now the
A ka.