Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-06-20
THE MAD EARXSMAN.


vancing with him toward the stoop of his
own special dwelling. The celebrated
physician, whose particular field was in
sanity, was explaining to me the case
of one Of his patients whom we had
met in an alley. At that moment an eN-
plosion rcsounded few PAGES from US. |
graspcd my hosts arm.
"What's that 2" asked. elias one Of
your patients shot himsclf?"
DR.. Noirot smiled.
ono" said he, "reassure yourself. cts
still another curious case | want you 70
scc."
And turning obliquely to the left, he
drew me toward Il small pavilion, hidden
behind Il grove of trees. He unlocked
door, led me across a narrow vestibule,
and we found ourselves in Il sort of long
court, surrounded by walls. A man was
there, of lofty stature, clad IN strange
hunting costume, recalling the Mexican
fashion. He had his back against the
wall of the pavilion, and, ut tho moment
we entered, raised his right hand, armed
with pistol. He aimed slowly, with
sure hand. | followed the direction OF
tho weapon and saw, about twenty PAGES
distant, at the foot Of the opposite wall,
white faeo with dark holo In tho centre
of the forehead. 1t was, rs well as | could
Judge ut that distance, the plaster mask OF
Greek head, in which thought recog-
nized the classic type of Diana, the kunt-
ress. The pistol WAS discharged. The
head did not move, not n fragment flew
from it.
"Look ~ said the doctor to me In low
voice. cts very curious. lie never
misses his mark. All the balls arc lodged
in the same place, in the dark hole, small
er than piece Of hundred sous"
The man had drawn another pistol from
his belt. He fired. AS before the mask
remained intsct. The weapon being load
ed with several bullets, IN the American
fashion, the msrksman successively dis
charged i've or more balls. Not one OF
them cut the forehead OF the white face.
The doctor laid his hand upon the shoul-
der of the marksnan, who wheeled about.
His visagc, though enframed by strong
beard, had al expression at onoe ener-
! gctic and sad.
"Stop an instant" said the doctor to
him.
The man made with his head sign Of
consent. Then tho doctor led me to the
other end of the court, and, behind the
! plaster mask, showed me plate of black
encd iron that protected the wall. In the
centre of the plate a round spot glistened
with reflections of lead produced by the
llattening Of the balls.
"You see,' said he, "that all the balls
pass through here. You will not find one
! of them elsewhere"
"It is marvellous :" answered /. "But
what strange history is associated with
: this strange man."
Come" said the doctor to me, 81 will
tell you all about it outside"
We again crossed the court and the yes
! llDulc Vi LHc piNiilou'
"rhis unfortunate man." said my host,
"calls himself Guido Ventura. Probably
he is an American. 1t was from there, at
all events, that this one came to France.
You may have seen him last year at the
| Alcazsr D'Automnc, where he gave four
or five exhibitions and would have had all
! Paris running to see him If terrible
event had not suddenly interrupted the
course OF his representations. There is
an exciting story involved, that l GER
tainly am the only person acquainted
| with, having without aid, during the six
/ months this man has been an inmate here,
succeeded in recOnstructing the details Of
! It. Guido Ventura, when he came to
/ Paris, was accompanied by 4 young wo-
! man named Miss Arabella. She was q
/ superb creature, not twenty years Of age.
! Admirers were not lacking, and in less
| than i week 1t had become the fashion to
| go and see the splendid Arabella aid In
! his exercise the celebrated marksman,
! Guido Ventura. She stood proudly, her
arms folded, fifteen PAGES from Guido
Ventura, who directed upon her the vain
menace of his pistol, the infallible ball OF
which cut a card between her fingers,
broke the bowl OF pipe two inches from
her lips, and crushed the shell Of nut
/ placed upon her head. Evidently Guido
! Ventura loved this creature like an idol.
Was lie jealous alsnP Certainly; and he
must suffer atrociously, for his compan-
ion, as eoQuettish rs beautiful, seemed to
delight in eIasperating his jealousy. On
one occasion the manager Of :he Alcazar
7 D'Automne stopped her in the wings as
she was escaping with laugh from q
circle of wine-excited coxcombs.
"'See here, my little one, he whispered
in her ear, 'you had better take care.
Every evening that man holds your life At
his mercyr Arabella burst out laughing.
"IIe kill me-" said she, Struggling her
shoulders. SECT along with you; he
thinks tso much Of me 20 harm hair of
my head"'
"And every night she stood before the
muzzle of the pistol with the same serene
tranquility.
Zone evening, a gentleman Of fine ap-
pearance entered the foyer, went straight
' 10 the Young woman, who uttered slight