The Ottawa free trader., 1886-02-20

ing bag and brace II pistols, which proved
his only baggage, he sprans quickly into the
carriage and Was gone.
Many years after, business made 1t Impera
tive for me to settle in the little town o!
Stsrojuy. Within four miles OF my houS
lay fine property belonging to the Counties
BercheneiY No one but the oyerseer lived
there--thc countess had spent only tho hrst
month of her marriage on her beautiful es
tate About two years after my coming tc
Staroiuy, it was rumored that the countess |
aud her husband would come to spend tht
summer ut the their beautiful country seat.
In fact, they arrived at the beginning oi
June, and, as was to be expected, their ad
vent caused quite commotion in our little
town For my part, the coming OF such
charming neighbors made quite change III
nv life. was especially anxious to meet
the countess, and, accordingly, the first Sun
day after their arrival called to present my |
respects, as being their nearest neighbor
was shown into the counts private sitting !
room, which was lu1uiiantly Furnished
books, bronzes, rugs, bric-a-brac, an i'm
mense mirror over the mantelpiece, etc. IL
was so long since had seen any finery of the |
kind that strange shyness came over me,
and awaited my hosts entrance with feel
ings akin 10 the trepidation Of an office |
seeker.
Tho door opened TO admit a handsome
noble-lookng man, about a3 years of aga
who advanced and held out his hand with a
pleasant SMILE His frank and cordial recep-
ton somewhat restored my equmiuity, and
I was beginning to regain my usual manner,
when tho countess entered and l at once re-
lapsed into my former shyneSs. A truly
beautiful woman The count presented me,
and tloundered about trying 10 appear at
ease, but in reality feeling very hot and I'M
comfortable Perceiving my embarrassment,
and with true tact and good breeding the
count and countess converSed between them
selves, treating me rs they would an old ac-
quaintance.
Asmy eye wandered around the room il
fell upon picture hanging opposite me- 1t
was not the painting itSelf-a Swiss land
scape, | think-that arrested my attention,
but two small round bullet-holes which
pierced the picture, ono immediately above
the other.
"Hump! that was a wonderful shot, could
not help reInarking.
"Yes, indeed, s,,id the count. "And YOU,
are you a good shott'
'Middling; with pistol am used TO can
bit n card at thirty PAGES"
'Pretty good" said the countess; then,
turning to her husband; Gould you do As
wellp
81 doubt it," he answered. u used to be q
good shot, but have not tried my hand for
over four years.
In that case. III wage you could not even
hit a card at twenty PAGES. Without constant
practice, one loses all dexterity. The best
shot ever knew split three bullets on the edge
Of a knife every day before dinner-but the
practice was as great a necessity tn hlm aS the
meal Why, if there was Hy on the wall
you smile, countess, but swear It's truc-he
cnlle,! TO his servant: 'Cousma, pis'ol!-
and bang. scarcely taking aim, there was the
fly f1attered out on the wall
"Wondcrfui" calculated the count "And
| what was your friends nane!'
"Sylvio'
"You knew Sylyio!" exclaimed the count,
excitcdly starting up Yen knew SyiYioF
II more than knew hin-we were tricnds
| In the regiment he was considered one OF us
! have not heard of him for five years; but to
! Judge from your exclamation, count, you also
| knew himi'
Fright we'll If YOU were his friend he
must have told you somewhat singular
story
About blow ceociv ,i at a bali.'
| YES and did he tell You who struck him"
| "No" glanced at the countess. 1t was
you, count" | said.
"Yes, it was l." exclaimed he, much
agitated; and that picture there Is memento
of our last interview"
| "Oh, dearest" pleaded the countess, "do not
tell that story. | can not bear it,"
| a must This gentleman knows how in
suited his friend. Let him now hear now that
friend was revenged. was married, y he pro
ceeded, five years ago The first montho oui
| honeymoon was spent here. This house holds
the happest and saddest memories of my life.
| One evening, returning late from "A riue, /
| found before the door a travelling chaise, and
| was told that stranger, who refused to give
| his name was awaiting me in my study, haV-
| ing come on business relative to myself alone.
| | entered, and saw 4 tall, bearded man, dusty
and travel-stained, leaning on the mantcl-
piece. ] stood for moment gazing at him.
| "'You do not know me, count? he asked.
| "'Sylvion exclaimed, and confess that my
hair stood on end
at Is my turn to shoot, he said; are you
ready
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 N
This was done, and | returned TO my pace.
again asking him to be quick. lie took aim,
and | 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 bullet
in lieu of a cherry Then after moments
pause, which seemed century; Truly, l
am not in the habit of shooting at defense
less man: that would be more like murder
than 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 smile shall never forget.
know not how it happened, but my ball
struck that picture. Sylvio raised his
hand again and took aim. The ex-
preston on his fale told me l had
no mercy to expect. At that supreme mo.