Wichita daily eagle., 1886-03-24

teautiful woman. The count presented m
and fioundered about trying to appear q
ease, but In reality feeling vsry bot and N
4 ieomfrhh1a Psrcllsing myNharasnI
and wiR true taE and god breeding =
count aud countess ccnversG& bstween t.
selves, treating me - they would an Old q
quaintance.
As my eye wandered around the room
fell upon picture hanging opposite me.
was not the painting ifself-a Swiss land
scape, think-that arrested my attention
but two small round bullet-holes whic
the other.
Hump! that was wonderful shot, coul'
not help remarking.
@Yes, indeed, said the count And you
are you q good shotr
"Middling; with pistol am used to cal
hit card at thirty PAGES"
Pretty good said the countess; then
turning to her husband: @Could you do a
well1,
Il doubt it, he answered Il used to he q
good shot, but have not tried my hand fol-
over four years"
In that case, I'll wage you could not ever
hit card at twenty PAGES Without constant
practice, one loses all dexterity. The bes'
shot ever knew split three bn!ets On the edgt
of knife every day before dinner-buf the
practice was as great q Necessity to him q the
meal Why, if there was fly on the wall
YOU smile, countess, but swear 'tis true-ht
called to his servant: 'Couana, q pistol
and bang. scarcely taking aim, there was the
fly fattened out on the wall"
@Wonderful" CALCULATED the count And
what was your friends namei"
aSylvio."
"You knew Sylviof' exclaimed the count
excitedly starting up. You knew Sylviof
Il more thar knew him-we were friends
In the regiment he was considered one Of us
l have not heard Of him for five years; but to
judge from your exclamation, count, you also
knew himp
Right well. II you were his friend, he
must have told you a somewhat singular
story
About blow received az ball.7
1Yes; and did he tell you who struck him!'
"Non 1 glanced at the countess. 1t was
you, count" said.
Yes, it was l." exclaimed he. much
agitated: '-and that picture there is n mernento
of our last interview"
oh, dearest pleaded the countess, do moi
tell that story. can not bear it"
Il must. This gentleman knows how in.
suited his friend. Let him now hear how that
friend was revenged. l was married V he pro
cee,ied, five years ago The first month of our
honeymoon was spent here This house holds
the happiest and saddest memories Of my life.
One evening, returning late from a ride,
found before the door travelling chaise, and
was told that a stranger, who refused to give
his name was awaiting me in my study. hay
ing come ON business relative to myself alone.
entered, and saw tall, bearded man, dusty
and travelstained, leaning on the maniel-
piece. stood for q moment gazing at him.
"'You do not know me, count! he asked
"'Sylvio" 1 exclaimed, and confess that my
hair stood on end.
alt is my turn TO shoot, he said: are you
readyf
There was pistol in his belt. bowed, in
recognition of his right and stood fronting
him, only requesting him TO shoot at once, be-
fore my wife came in
- can not see clearly he said, send for
lights
This was done. and l returned to my place.
again asking him to be quick He took aim,
and l counted the seconds. My thoughts
dwelt on my bride: it was frightful mo-
ment. He dropped his hand and remarked
PITY this pistol is charged with a bullet
in lieu of cherry Then after moments
pause, which seemed a century; Truly,
am not in the habit Of shooting at defense
less man; that would be more like n murder
than a duel We will draw lots again, and
see who is to shoot first.
Il think at first refused, but remember
finally loading my pistol. We then wrote
our names on slips Of paper, and drew from
the very cap my ball had pierced in our first
duel Fortune favored me again.
"'You are very fortunate, count said
Sylvio. with a smile I shall never forget. ]
know not how it happened, but my hall
struck that picture. lylvio raised his
hand again and took aim. The ex-
preston on his face told me I had
no mercy to expect. At that supreme mo
ment the door opened, Maria rushed in, and
with cry of horror threw her arms arounG
my neck Her entrance restored my equanim
ity. Laughing gayly: You foolish girl,
I said, why are you so frightened. Do yo,
not Se IL Is yohe-a wager. Sonhc III"
go and drink glass Of water, and come bacl
to be introduced to my old friend But she
did not believe me.
"'In heavens name, SIR she said turning e
Sylyio, is this true: Is it only a wager;
joker
"'Of course-oh, of course answered lac
1T is only joke. The count likes 10 joke
He once, in joke, struck me a blow: again
in joke, he put bullet through this cap
and row, of cours. in joke. he missed KILN.
me for the second time. IL is now M turn
to joke and Sylvio leveied the pistol ut IN,
breast
Maria understood, and cat herialf a; nj
feet
"Oh. for shame, I cried: then turning Il
Sylvio: Come, sir, enough Of this. VIII yo'
1hoot-v.s or no.