Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-12-17

were all three OH the terrace Willing
away hot hour with pistol shooting.
Herzfeldt's wife, cigar between her
lips, lying back in a wicker chair, her
shapely feet in their Unframed boots
resting in high cushion, was basking
after the midday meal in her cat-like
way and watching us with lazy inter-
est. ] made brilliant score-I hap
pened to be rather a good hand at a
carton pistol shooting is lost art
among us, but l have had opportunity
to cultivate it in Paris--but Herzfeldt
shot wretchedly, and that after long
aims. Once or twice he had to lower
his hand. which trembled visibly.
After few attempts, with look Of
encouragement he gave it up; it was
pitiful to see that he felt Inundated
before his wife.
"a complete breakup. my boy" he
said, in English, with sad smile.
On her face there was light of
amusement. Not wishing to prolong
the scene, was replacing the weapons
in their box when she got up.
"Once more" she said. 81 like to
see you aim SO quickly and shoot so
straight Obediently | lifted my
hand, and this time carelessly missed.
Cali luck, you see" | urged, anxi-
Gus to cover Herzfeldt's vexation !;
won't you let me rest on my laurel :
Herzfeldt is out of condition when
he is himself he can beat me-"
But Herzfeldt here interposed, ir-
ritably bidding me talk no nonsense
and 60 on shooting without further
mock modesty.
eyes; one more for me-" repeated
my hostess, musingly; "what shall it
be?" Then, with her broad smile {:
81 know" she said, christening the
gold brooch at her throat, and in her
swinging, staggering way stepped up
to an old tree and fixed the pin in the
bark.
Herzfeldi frowned. "My last pres
ent," he muttered ; never mind,
Fraser, bring it down-shiver it 4"
felt her eyes on me us | raised the
pistol toward the tiny, glinting spot.
To my own astonishment-for had
fired almost unconsciously-the ball
grazed the trinket and sent it spinning
upward.
Without word, Herzfeldt went to
look for it, and laughing, | turned
round to his wife, to meet her eyes
still fixed upon me with gaze that
suddenly appalled, me.
"Thank you,' she said to me, after
moment then she took her brooch
from her husbands hand, and walked
away. Half angrily, half sadly, he
looked after her, while | in vain en-
deavored to shake off the strange OBJ.
session, the unreasoning dread left up.
on me by the sorcery of her eyes.
was beginning dimly to under
stand the nature Of Herzfeldt's in.
fatuation for her, since | myself, cool.
headed though l be. was unable tc
escape her strange influence. For
tho rest of the day and the whole
night afterward, sleeping or walking,
l was haunted by her image, though
when away from the inexplicable at
traction Of her actual presence the
spell Immediately changed its charac-
ter, and my unwilling mind dwelt on
her with no other feelings but those
of horror and disgust.
Under these circumstances, finding
all my reason and philosophy of no
avail, rose the next morning, with
the intention Of curtailing my visit as
much as l could without hurting
Herzfeldt's feelings. But fate itself
interyened-the next day was destin-
ed to be the last l spent within those
gates. A ride had been arranged for
the purpose of showing me the pride
of the estate. At the appointed hour,
however, two horses only made their
appearance, and the groom handed
me note. 81 can not 60 out to-day
you understand, yet would not dis
appoint her." it said, "invent some
excuse for me, and have your own
ride"
Even as ] finished reading, his
wife came out of the house. In sort
of abstraction and totally unheeding
my explanations, she walked up to
her black Bessarabian and planted a
kiss in each fiery nostrl. Then, &C.
cepting my ministration with seeming
Inconsistencies, her arched foot with
its glittering spur scarcely pressing
my palm, she sprang into the saddle
with some wild Eastern exclamation
Immediately the animal reared and
plunged, while in fear for her, held
its head as firmly as might-and
now an ecstatic look came ON her
face, the lazy eyes shot brilliancy, the
red lips parted. Suddenly, with a
rage of Impotence, she cut at me
with her whip.
"I of him oo--let him por she