Wichita daily eagle., 1886-03-24


WEDNESDAY MORNING. MARCH
4 DEFERRED DUEL.
We were all officers of the line stationed il
small town. In our circle there was on
Prusian, man Of about IS years old, and o
serious, almost gloomy, habits. He had dis
tinguished himself as an officer Of the Tent
hussars and no one could imagine why b.
had left that regiment to live in a wretchet
little place where life was SO monotonous
His principal occupation was pistol shoot
ing, and the walls of his room were literall,
honeycombed with bullet holes Duel
were often the theme Of our conversation
but Sylvio never took part in such discus
sions. II asked if he had ever fought a duel
would simply answer, YES, I" in a tone to in
dicate that any further questioning would b,
disagreeable to him
One day while we were at cards a strange,
who had joined US became angered at some
thing Sylvio sid, and insulted him An sup
posed that the stranger would ON the morrow
fan victim to Sylvio's skill; but next morn.
ing at review, while we were wondering
whether the young lieutenant was alive,
he suddenly appeared in person Sylvio
did not allude to the matter. As he had re-
ceived an insult without resenting it we grad
ually dropped him from our circle.
One morning he received o letter
watched him as he tore it eagerly open and
perused its content with flashing eyes His
strange manner passed unnoticed each one
being absorbed in his own affairs "Gentle-
men, he said, Il am obliged to leave here at
once-to-night, in fact-but beg you will all
dine with me for the last time. And expect
you, especially, without fail. he added, turn
ing to me He then hurriedly left U.s.
When reached Sylvio's lodgings in the
evening" my fellow-officers had preceded me-
The furniture had already been removed,
leaving nothing but the bare walls, SO curl
ously honeycombed with bullet holes Our
host was in good spirits, and we soon all fol
lowed suit; champagne-corks flew about.
glasses were filled and refilled, and all heart
iy bade our friend God-speed 1t was late
when we rose to go. When my turn came to
say goodbye, Sylvio seized nv hand and
whispered:
Il must speak with YOU
remained. When the guests had left. he
seated himself opposite me, and for some time
We smoked In silence. Sylvio was deep
in thought; not a sign remained Of his nerv-
Gus gayety. As looked at his pale face and
eyes, encircled by the thick smoke Of our
pipes he had the appearance Of a spirit Of the
neither world. At last he broke silence:
I'VE shall probably not meet again Iwish
to speak few parting words You may
have observed that | care little for public
opinion, but l like you, and would regret
leaving You under Il false conception Of my
character"
He stopped to refill his glass I remained
silent.
@You have thought |. strange did not ex-
act satisfaction from that drunken IDIOT who
insulted me at cards Having the choice OF
weapons, his life was in my hands. and mine
in comparative security. l might attribute
my behavior to grandeur of soul. but disdain
to lie; could have punished him without risk
ing my life, he would not have escaped
raised my eyes to Sylvio in horror; such
confession repelled me.
"Yes, that is the TRUTH he continued II
had no right to risk my life. Six years ago ]
received blow, and the man who struck me
still lives
My curiosity was quickly excited You
did not figbt!' asked
I'VE fought, and here is the proof. he an
swered, at the same time taking up a soldiers
cap and placing it upon his head. / noticed a
small round hole just above his forehead. Il
served in the Tenth hussars You know me,
and perhaps have seen that I used to be first
in everything. In my youth it was to me an
absolute necessity that it should be So In
my day it was fashionable TO be fast; was
the widest youngster in the regiment the
army, l might say. Hard drinkers were
dad I
nous Dobroski, whose prowess in that line
was celebrated. In our regiment duels were
OF more than daily occurrence, and in each
one was either principal or second Nv
brother officers worshiped me- and INV supe-
riors let me alone as an incurable case
Il was enjoying my laurels when young
man, rich and of illustrious lineage-permit
me to withhold his name-joned us Never
had l met a more gifted man--young, tai
ented, handsome, gay to excess, brave as a
lion. of unbounded wealth-all these adyan-
tages were his besides his great name You
can well imagine the place he at once took
among us. My sway was over He a. first
sought my friendship, but was repulsed and
drew back with indifference hated him
his popularity filed ME with rage 1 tried to
draw him into a quarrel, but his answers 10
all my sarcastic speeches were so much wit
tier than mine that my rage and jealousy
grew apace, for felt his superiority. At
length, one night at ball seeing him courted
by all and specially by young lady greatly
admired, approached him and whispered o
bitter insult in his ear. This was too much, |
and, losing his temper, he struck me full in
the face. We drew our swords the ladies'
tainted; and although bloodsted was pre-
vented on the spot a duel was arranged for
that very night.
AT daybreak was at the appointed place
with two seconds, awaiting my rival with
much impatience. II had been a sultry night.
and the sun, just rising was oppressively hot
In few moments saw him coming leisurely
toward me, ON foot and with only one sec
ond. l advanced and saw he held his cap.
which WAS full Of cherries in his hand II
had the right TO shoot first, but my pulse beat
SO that could not be sure of nv aim. and
therefore insisted that he should shoot first |
He refused. We then agreed 10 draw lots |
Fortune favored her darling He shot and
the bullet pierced my cap
1t was my turn now-at last his life was |
in my hands looked eagerly at him. try
ing to find the slightest sign OF fear He was
quietly awaiting my shot, eating his cherries,
the pits Of which he threw at nv feet II was
exasperating. What Is the u.s. thought l. |
of taking life so little valued 4 devilish
thought struck me. Dropping my hand
said:
-Since You are brea kfasting so calmly. YOU
are scarcely prepared to die Allow me to
wait until YOU have finished your cherries
"'Do not distress yourself sir, I pray he
answered. You have one shot at me- Al |
present, or at any time. | am at your serv-
ice
Il turned to my seconds. saving 4 will NOT
shoot to-day
The duel WAS over.
Il asked for leave of absence, and came {.
this little town, where revenge has been IN,
daily thought. The time has come"
Sylvio handed me the letter he had receive
that day. Some one-an agent, / believe
wrote TO say that that the .'indiv idual in cues
tion was about to marry beautiful youni
girl"
You know" continued Sylvic, ''who Is tn
individual alluded 10. Well. go TO Mosco,
tonight. and we will see IL tomorrow or tn
day after he viii be as Indifferent to death
the morning he was eating cherries.
Sylvio stood up. and paced up and dow
the room like a Gagged tiger. ! watched hin
i-,'efitly and could the fierSe s,ru lie th
conficiing passions he'd in LIS breast
IN moment the servant entered to say the
horses Were ready Sylyio graspei NV hand.