St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-30

that I was their nearest neighbor and
most humble servant. The footman
conducted me to the library Of the count
and went to announce my arrival.
The immense library was luxuriously
| furnished; the walls were lined with
bookcases and over each case was 2
bronze bust. the floor was covered with
Persian rug, and the marble fireplace
was Ornamented by huge glass. Over
come with much unaccuStOmed luxury
j awaited the. count with the sensation
of a provincial solicitor who awaits the
arrival Of a minister.
The door opened and man of thirty
two or thirty-three years entered. He
was man of noble carriage and a hand
some face. The count, for it was he,
came toward me with frank and
friendly air. tried to recover myself,
| but as I stammered some words of eX-
seuse the count interrupted ne. We
seated ourselves. and | had partially
recovered my composure when saw
the countess enter. and l felt worse
than before.
She was truly very beautiful. The
count introduced me to her; and the
more | tried TO appear at ease the more
embarrassed became. and that l might
lGCOfCl elA1C COQAt anu NOuAVCno OSf7teAA W
talk together and at last began to talk
to NE as though l were an old acquaint-
ance that is to say, without ceremony;
meanwhile | examined the books. am
not connOisseur of pictures but one
caught my eye; it was landscape OF
SwitZeI land; but it was not at the scene
nor the execution that | looked; 1t was
double hole made by pistol shots that
had pierced the picture.
1.-THE deuce. a mighty fine shot
that" said to the count.
yes SAID he, "a remarkable shot,
is it not?" aud he asked me. If shot
well.
':Passably, y said. "At thirty PAGES
l am pretty sure of putting ball into a
playing card.
''All," said the countess, very at
tentively, and turning toward her hus-
hand, "Can you do as well?'
I'VE might try" said the count.
"There was a time when was perfect
| at that exercise; but for four years l
| have not touched a pistol"
Then we. might be about equal. -
said |. las know by experience that
through lack of practice one very soon
| loses the knack The best shot | ever
knew used to practice every day, and he
would cut three balls upon the edge OF
! a knife before breakfast"
"And how did he sho0t?" asked the
count.
ssWeH, for instance" said /, IF he
happened 10 see hy upon the wall
YOU laugh, countess, but | tell you the
truth-ile would call: 'Cousma, a
pistol;' the domestic would bring one
loaded, and he would hardly take time
to aim before pat! the fly yrs crushed
in the wall"
THAT was wonderful" said the
count, "and who was hep
"SyIvio.'
"You know Sylvio?'' cried the count.
bounding to his feet.
'sWhy should not have known him?
He and | were friends, He was re-
ceived into our regimental society, but
| have not heard of him for five years.
But suppose you knew him?"
''Yes, knew him, and well, too, /
assure YOU. If he was your friend, as
you say, he probably told you strange
story.'
"fhat of a slap in the face that ne re-
ceiyed?'
YES. Did he tell you the name of
him who slapped him."
''No. never"
Then, all at once struck with an idea,
and looking at the count. sit was you"
said j.
''Yes, it was l." said the count, with
some agitation, 'and that pierceI pict-
ure is souvenir OF our last interview y
My dear, do not tell the story, SAID
the countess, "you know it always
makes me ILL"
mo" said the count Monsieur
knows how slapped his friend. and he
must know how he was reyenged.
have been married five years. The first
month of our marriage we passed in
this village. One evening ! and the
countess were out riding, when her
horse SHE'D and she jumped to the
ground, throwing her TeinS to
me. and she walked back to
the house. Upon arriving there l
saw a travelling carriage, and | was in
formed that visitor waited TO see me
in the library, and that he had refused
to give his name. l entered the room
and saw a man with a long beard and
covered with dust seated III corner.
He. was close to the fireplace. halted
a moment looking at HIM. You don't
know meH said he, with sinister vlora-
ton in his voice. 'SylviO? said |, and |
felt nv hair rise and stand on end. 1t
is my turn to shoot now Are YOU
ready?' said he. he mad pistol at his
belt. | made sign that l recognized
his right, and measuring a dozen PAGES
[ placed myself in the corner. asking
him to fire quickly that my wife might
not have time TO enter. i cannot see,'
said he; let US have light | ordered
one, and closed the door behind the
servant, took my place, and asked that
| might not be made to wait long.
He saw that I counted the sec
onds-I was thinking OF her. Ii
was a frightful minute. Sylyi0 let his
hand fall 1T is too bad that the pistol
is loaded with a ball and not cherry
stone: it is so heavy that it tires my
hand Then, after minute that was
an age TO me, he said: Truly this is not
a duel: this is an assassination. / am
not in the habit of shooting at an I'M
armed man. Let us recommence. My
head whirled ] believe that / did not
at first consent. However, L remember
that we loaded two pistols, and threw q
couple of pieces of paper into the cas-
ouette that had pierced. Chance IA
yored me again; l was to shoot first
you are mighty lucky said he, with
smile that / shall never forget. don't
know how it happened, but. instead OF
hitting my adversary. the ball went into :
that picture"
He pointed to the picture, and then
his face was purple; that of the count
tess was pale, almost livld.
'sSylYio raised his pistol and aimed
again The expression on his face told
me that should not have long to wait.
AL at once the door opened and Marie