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

that I was their nearest neighbOr and
most humble servant. The fo0tman
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 a
bronze bust, the floor was covered with
Persian rug, and the marble fireplace
was Ornamented by huge glass. Over
come with much unaccustOmed luxury.
i awaited the. count with the sensation
of provincial solicitor who awaits the
arrival of minister.
The door opened and a man of thirty
two or thirty-three years entered. He
was man of noble carriage and hand
some face. The count, for it was he.
came toward me with frank and
friendly air. | tried to recover myself,
but as stammered some words Of eX-
cuse the count interrupted ne. We
seated ourselves. ana | had partially
recovered my composure when l saw
the countess enter. and / 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 might
recover the count and countess began TO
talk together and at last began to talk
to me as though | were an old acquaint-
ance. that is to say, without ceremony;
meanwhile I examined the books. | am
not connoisseur of pictures, but one
caught my eye: it was a 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 j to the count.
Yes said he. "a remarkable shot.
is it not?" and ne asked me. If shot
we'll
:Passably,"I said. "At thirty PAGES
am pretty sure of putting ball into
playing card
''Ah.'' 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 time when was perfect
at that exercise; but for four years
have not touched pistol.
sThen 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 shoot?" asked the
count,
.Wen, for instance, said I, ''if he
happened 10 see a fly upon the wall
YOU laugh, countess, but tell you the
truth-lle would call: 'Cousma,
pistol;' the domestic would bring one
loaded, and he would hardly take time
TO aim before pat! the fly WIS crushed
in the wall"
That was wonderful" said the
count, s'and who was hep
''Sylyio.'
t'You know Sylylo?' cried the count,
bounding to his feet.
"Whv should [ not have known him?
He and / were friends, He was re-
ceiyed into our regimental society, but
[ have not heard of him for five years.
But | suppose you knew him?"
Eyes, | knew him, and well, too, /
assure YOU. Ii he was your friend, as
you say, he probably told you strange
s.fhat of a slap in the face that he re-
ceiyed?''
yes. Did he tell you the name of
him who slapped him:m
mo, never"
Then, all at once struck with an idea,
and looking at the count: "lt was you,
said j.
ssYes, it was - said the count, with
some agitation, sand that pierced pict- |
ure is a souvenir of our last interview"
MY dear, do not tell the story" said |
the countess, .'you know it always |
makes me ILL.,"
sNo.'' 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 I
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 a visitor waited TO see me
in the library, and that he had refused |
to give his name. entered the room /
and saw man with a long beard and
covered with dust seated IN corner.
He was close to the fireplace. l halted
a moment looking at HIM. You don't
know meg said he. with sinister vlbra-
ton in his voices 'Sylvio?' said |, and
felt my hair rise and stand on end. 1T |
is my turn TO shoot now, Are you1l
ready?' said he He mad pistol at his
UtII. IDduC q 81 AZ NhftO 4 A~SNesA@h-'>eA
his right, and measuring dozen PAGES
[ placed myself in the corner, asking |
him to fire quickly that my wife might |
not haye 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. Sylyio let his |
hand fall. 1T is too bad that the pistol |
is loaded with ball and not a 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. l am |
not in the habit of shooting at an un- |
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 |
couple of pieces of paper into the cas-
quette that / had pierced. Chance IA
Vored me again; | was to shoot first |
sYou 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. ana then |
his face was purple; that of the count |
tess was pale, almost livld.
s'Syiyio 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