The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-03-05

away from Voulitch and his pistols,
At the same instant both pistOl-ham'
mers fell, one even slightly flashing It's
cap.
"Thanks be to God" exclaimed sew.
eral voices, drawing IN by inspiration
OF breath
The pistols are unloaded," | re-
marked chidingly.
Examine hem!'answeredVoulitch
l took the arms and placing fresh
caps under the hammers, discharged
the weapons in the air. The hiss OF
the flying balls was more than ordl-
nary distinct. .
Three minutes passed and none Of
the officers opened their mouths, while
Voulitch calmly opened his purse and
jingled the wagered ducats handed him
by Mai. S.. Then we commenced
to discuss why the pistols had not
been discharged on the first attempt.
! Some said that thecaps were defective.
Others Contended that as the fash Of
one q was visible the powder was
moist. Voulitch should have loaded
the pistols over.
"No," observed I. This was per.
fectly fair, orthey are my pistols and
| never took my eyes off them since
VOulltch seized the weapons. He is
only a lucky better" | continued.
1T is the first time in my life that
l ever won such a wager" answered
the Servian, with a selt-contented
smile, ut vas lucky play"
But most dangerous" | replied.
you commence to believed in predes-
tination?" He gazed at me after this
query and continued: Let me ask
you why you seem to regard my death
as certain tomorrow" His eyes
glittered as he spoke in anger. He
had lost his temper. "As our wager
is settled he added, your remarks
on my death tomorrow were uncalled-
for" Then, without finishing his OBJ
servation, lie suddenly pulled his nat
down over his eyes and walked away
from the circle hastily.
After his departure We all
discussed what we termed the
excitability OF Voulitch; and
they unanimously pronounced me q
sublime egotist because | bet against n
man who evidently wished to kill him
self-as though he could not have
founda suitable occasion without me
| returned home through the deserted
streets of the Cossack village. The
chimes rang out from a small Russian
church surmounted by it's short spire
and belfry. 1t struck IL o'clock and
three-quarters. l hurried my foot
steps. Suddenly a sharp report of a
pistol echoed around the corner; cries
were heard and several guards and
sentries with lanterns a rap
idly past me. / turned the neigh
boring street. Under the moonlight
vas a small group of soldiers hold
ing up the inanimate figure of an officer.
ca my approach the Cossacks, with
all the respect they have for their SUI
perior officers, moved aside to allow
my entrance to the circle The dead
man was Voulitsh, his dark, dead eyes
widely distended as if gazing stead
lastly at the eternal stars; q large
bullet-hole was apparent in his fore
head and sluggish stream of blood
ran down his nose and chin. In one
hand he held a pistol, In the other
was a tightly grasped note The note
was addressed to Lieut.. Petchorin-
to myself. Itore the wrapper hastily
and read:
Lett. Petehorin: You said / would die
tomorrow. / could have waited until to-
morrow to show you that a a to a GER
tain extent. controls his own destiny, but
| die tonight By my own hand TO prove
that you are not an oracle. Keep your
pistols in good order, SO that you may not
lose your money again. Had they been
carefully cared for and properly loaded my
fate was sealed. Farewell, Petchorin; nor
sigh for one who has long desired peace for
a troubled soul. Let my comades say for
me a little prayer each. / remain, as ever,
the unfortunate VoULITcH.
"Takehis bodyto the church," said |,
calmly, "and inform the colonel and
his wife of this young officers DEATH"
/ saw them wrap his remains in his
cloak and bear them away. Then,
looking mp at the stars, which beamed
so brightly, | moved homeward, Won
dering what the spirit of Voulitch vas
now engaged in doing.