Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-11

Of his theoretical knowledge. he had no
longer the muscular, strong arm with
which to carry it into execution. It was
Octave's nerveless wrist which held his
weapon.
On the other side, Octave, in the body
of the Count, found himself with unaocus-
toned, inconceivabls vigor, and though
possessing far less knowledge, invariably
succeeded in defending himself against the
attacks of the Count. who made lunge after
lunge iu his vain efforts to reach his adver-
sary, Octave, cool and firm, parrying every
thrust and anticipating every feint.
Fired with rage, the Counts play became
nervous and aimless. Even at the risk
of retaining the identity of Octave de Sa-
vile. he was resolved at every cost to de-
stroy the form by which Plascovie might
be deceived, an idea which filed him with
inexpressible fury and despair. At the
risk of being run through and through, he
made furious attack on his adversary, in
the hope Of reaching the life and soul of
his rival but the blade of Octave, winding
itself about MS with sharp, sudden, ire
sistibie movement, wrested 1t from his
grasp, and it was thrown in the air, falling
10 the ground at some distance.
The life OF Olaf was now at the mercy of
Octave only one lunge and he would be
transiixed, pierced through and through.
The face of the Count was drawn and con-
vulsed, not throu Oh fear of death, but with
the thought that his wife would hence
forth be in the power of this fend, who
would never be revealed in mis- true colors.
Far from profting by the advantage,
Octsve, turning aside his weapon and mo-
tioning to the seconds not te interfere, ad-
vapced to the Count, who stood stupitisd
with amazement, and taking him by the
arm, led him into the wood.
q What is this for ?" said the Count.
Why GO you not kill me, since you have
the power ? Why not continue the com.
bat, allowing me TO resume my weapon, if
you hesitate TO attack z man with no means
of defense You know well that we both
ought not live"
:" Listen TO me patiently" answered o.
tave. IS Your happiness lies in my hands.
Il is in my power to retain possession for
ever of this body which my spirit inhabits
to. day, and which belongs to you, I am
glad TO feel that here we are by ourselves,
with no witnesses, and that the birds alone.
who will not repeat it, can hear what we
say. Ii we resume the duel, shall most
assurediy kin you, for Count Olaf Labin-
ski, whom represent with as little awk-
wardness as possible, is better swords
man than Octave de Saville, whose form
and face are yours for the time being, and
whom | shall be forced, much against my
will, to suppress and this calamity,
Though not real, since my soul still lives,
would be a trouble and affection to my
mother"
Recognizing the force of these words,
the Count preserved an entire silence, sig
nifcant of acquiescence.
''If l oppose it, you will never be able
to re-estabtish your identity. You know
the result of your two attempts to do so.
Further efforts in the same direction would
prove you to be monomaniac. No man
living will believe one word of what you
assert, and when you lay claim to the
identity of Count Olaf Labinski every one
will laugh in your face, as you have already
seen. You will be confined, and you will
pass the rest of your life in protesting to
your keepers that you are the husband of
the beautiful Countess Plascovie Labinski
Kind hearted people will say, Poor DC.
tavep You will be like Balzac's Chabert.
who endeavered to prove that he was not
dead"
1t was impossible to deny the proof of
this, and Olaf stood with bent head.
"Since you are for the moment Octave
de Saville, you have unquestionably ran,
sacked all his possessions, rummaged his
drawers, turned over all his papers /; conse-
quently you cannot be ignorant of the fact
helpless passion for the Countess Plascovie
Labinski."
50 Yes, know it, " said the Count, biting
his lips.
"To reach her l have employed crimi-
nal, frighttul means to serve me Dr. Cher
bonneau has attempted an experiment
before which the thaumaturgists of every
nation and every nation might recoil.
After placing US both in magnetic sleep,
he has, by his wonderful mesmeric power,
changed our souls. The miracle was utter.
ly useless in its results l willingly restore
your identity. Piascovie has no love for
me. Under the form of her husband she
has recognized another spirit than his.
am lover" added Octave, with a smile,
''and not a thief; and, since the sole
dream OF my heart can never be gratified,
/ cannot see why | should retain your
titles, your chateau1, your lands, your
wealth, your horses, your arms. Come,
give me your arm. Let US appear to be
reconciled, and, after proper acknowledge
ments to our seconds, we will take NJ
Cherbonneau and return to his laboratory
where we were transposed. The old brah-
ma will be able to undo his work"
Gentlemen" said Octave, still sus-
tanning the role of the Count Labinski,
ave have exchanged confidential explana-
tions which obviate all necessity for con.
tinuing the combat. Nothing clears the
ideas of honorable men like crossing
swords"
Nj. Zamoicezki and M. Seprelveda drove
away. Alfred Humbert and Gustave fol.
lowed them, while the Count Olaf, Octave
and NJ. Cherbonneau drove rapidly toward
Rue de Regard.
On the way from the Bots to the Rue du
Regard Octave de Saville said to DIR. Cher
bonneau
"My dear sir, once more am going to
test your skill and science. Our souls
must be re- established, each in its habitual
domicile; l hope that nj. lie Comte La
binski feels no anger toward you for oblig.
ing him to change his palace for much more
humble quarters and to change his dis.
tinguished individuality for that of SO in
significant a person as myself. Powerful
as you are, you need fear the vengeance OF
no one."
With a bow of acquiesence, DR.. Bal
tbazar replied:
1.-THE operation will be made more sim
pie than before, owing to the fact that the
imperceptible filaments uniting soul and
body, which have been SO recently severed
with you both, have had no time to renew
themselves added to this, neither OF you
will exert an opposing will, with which in.
stinctively the subject almost invariably
resists the magnetism. / feel sure Nj. lie
Comte will forgive an old savant who could
not resist the temptation of attempting an
experiment to which so few would be will
ing to subject themselves. You will soor
think of this temporary transformation al
only strange dream. And you may per