The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-05

we received news concerning him. So You,
Highness knew him alsop Knew him and
very well, too. Did he not tell you of
very strange occurrencep WAS it not Of
box in the ear received by him from some
scoundrelp 'And did he tell you the name
of this scoundrelP No, Your Highness, he
did not 'Ohp exclaimed l, guessing tina
truth, pardon Ibid not know Was
1t not yourself2'-- Il, myself answered
the Count, with very embarrassed air,
and the picture shot through is memorial
of our last meeting
"'Ohl dear me- said the Countess, for
Gods sake don't tell it, it is horrible to
hear
"'No, 'rejoined the Count, she must know
every thing; he knows how insulted his
| friend, let him also know how Silvio
wreaked his vengeance on me-"
The Count moved up his chair to me, and
with the liveliest curiosity heard the fol-
lowing story;
Five years ago I married. The first
month, the honeymoon, passed here in
this village. To this house owe the best
moments as well as one of the most burden
some recollections of my lffe One evening
we were riding together on horseback. Ny
wife's horse became unmanagable; she was
frightened, gave me the reins and walked
home by foot. drove ahead. In the yard
/ noticed a travelling carriage. was told
| that there was gentleman waiting for me
| In my cabinet who would not give his
name, and who simply said that he had
some business with me- / entered this
room, and discerned in the dusk man
covered with dust and beard. He stood
! tsre near the fireplace. went up to him,
=. spg to recollect his features.
| "You did not know me, Count" said he,
with trembling voice.
"Silvio!" exclaimed 1; and, to confess,
felt that my hair stood up like needles on
my head
EXACTLY So" continued he "There is a
shot for me. came to discharge my pistol
Are you readyl"
His pistol protruded from his side pocket.
I measured off twelve PAGES and placed
myself there in the corner, asking him to
shoot quickly as long as my wife did not
return. He took his time; asked for light
He was given candles. 1 closed up the
door, forbade any body to come in, and
asked him again to shoot. He took out the
pistol and aimed.--I counted the moments.
i thought of her. A terrible moment
passed Silvio dropped his hand.
az am sorry" said he, "that my pistol is
not loaded with cherry stones The ball is
heavy. 1t still appears to mo that this is
not duel, but murder. i am not used to
aim at unarmed persons. Let US do it over
again; let US draw lots as to who shall shoot
first"
My head went about apparently. 1 did
not consent. At last we loaded another
pistol, folded two tickets; he put them into
| hn oh ryl, nt,, ,inA
again the first number.
| "You are devilishly lucky, Count" said
he with a smile which shall never forget
1 don't recollect what was the matter with
me and how he could compel me to shoot.
But shot and hit this picture. THE Count
pointed to the Swiss landscape; his face
burned like fire The Countess was paler
than her handkerchief. could not forbear
bursting forth in wild outcries. ~ shot,"
continued the Count, land, thank God,
missed my AIM" Then Silvio lat this mo-
ment he was terrible indeed) began to aim
at me. The doors suddenly few open.
Masha ran in and threw herself screaming
on my neck Her presence returned to me
my courage.
Dear" said l, ''canst thou see that we
jokel How frightened thou art Go; drink
a glass of water and come back. will in
troduce thee to my old friend and comrade."
I Masha would not believe.
'Can you assure me that my husband tells
the truthr said she, turning to the terrible
Silvio. us it true that both of you are
! jesting"
HE is always jesting, Countess; he once
boxed me on the ear while jesting, shot
through this cap in jest; and now, jesting
once more, he missed me just moment
ago. Now, l have q notion to jest" With
these words he started to aim at me in her
presence.
Masha threw herself at his feet.
"Rise up, Masha, it is shamew ex-
claimed in fury. "'And you, dear sir, will
you stop making fun of a poor ladyl Will you
shoot or not!"
80 will not answered Silvio, "T am
satisfied. saw your confusion, your tim
idity; compelled you to shoot at me- This
will do for my satisfaction. hope you will
remember me. leave you to your own
conscience. ="
Here he was almost going out, but stopped
at the door, looked back at the picture
shot by me, shot at it, almost not aiming,
and disappeared My wife tainted. The
men dared not stop him, and looked at him
with horror. He went out in the corridor,
called his coachman, and drove away before
l had time to recover my consciousness.
The Count stopped here. In such way
l learned the end Of the story whose begin
ming once made such strong Impression on
me. With its hero l never met again. They
say that during the instruction Of Ipsilanti
Silvio commanded regiment of Etherists,
and was killed in the battle Of Skuliani-
| .J.y.I h., nf A D.soh
kin By Charles RosinSky. r'
| THE MARRIAGE SERVICE.
Anecdotes Showing That It's Full OF Pit
| falls for Unlearned Men.
In some cases it becomes painfully
clear that the contracting parties