Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-18

nThe number fell to him, constant IA
vorite of fortune that he was! He
aimed, and put bullet through my
cap.
s'It was now my turn. His life at
last was in my hands; l looked at him
eagerly, trying hard to detect some
faint shadow of uneasiness. But he
stood beneath my pistol, picking out
ripe cherries from his cap and splitting
out the stones, some of which fell near
me.
ellis indifference enraged me.
"sWhat is the use,' thought /, 'of de-
priving him of life, when he sets no
value upon it !? AS this savage thought
fitted through my brain I lowered the
pistol.
"'You don't seem to be ready for
DEATH said; you are eating your
breakfast, and don't want to interfere
with you
"'You don't interfere with me in the
least he replied. BE good enough to
fire; or don't fire if you prefer it; the
shot remains with you, and shall be at
your service at any moment
81 turned to the seconds, informing
them that had no intention of firing
that day, and with this the duel ended.
resigned my commission and retired to
this little place. Since then not a single
day has passed that l have not thought
of my revenge, and now the hour has
arrived"
Silvio took from his pocket the letter
he had received thatmorning, and handed
it to me to read. Some one Gt seemed to
be his business agent wrote to him from
Moscow, that certain individual was
soon to be married to young and beau
tiful girl.
"You guess" said Silvio, "who the
certain individual is. 1 am starting for
Moscow. We shall see whether he will
be as indifferent now as he was some
time ago, when in presence Of death he
ate cherries!'
Many years passed, and family Cir
cumstances obliged me to settle in the
poor little village of N.
Four versts from my place was large
estate belonging to Count B., but the
steward alone lived there. The countess
had visited her domain once only, just
after her marriage, and she then only
lived there about a month.
However, in the second spring Of my
retirement there was report that the
countess, with her husband, would come
to spend the summer on her estate, and
they arrived at the beginning of June.
The first Sunday after her arrival
went to the village and presented myself
to the count and countess as their near
neighbor and humble servant.
The doors opened, and man, about
thirty-two and very handsome, entered
the apartment. I tried to be self pos
sessed, and began to introduce myself,
but he forestalled me.
His easy and agreeable conversation
soon dissipated my nervous timidity.
was. already passing into my usual
manner when suddenly the countess en-
tered and became more confused than
ever. She was indeed beautiful.
The count presented me. I was anx-
ious to appear at ease, but the more
tried to assume an air of restraint the
more awkward I felt myself becoming.
Meanwhile I walked about the room
examining the books and pictures.
In pictures am no connoisseur, but
one of the counts attracted my particu-
lar notice. 1t represented view of
Switzerland. was not, however, struck
by the painting, but by the fact that it
was shot through by two bullets, one
planted just on top of the other.
ga good shot," remarked, turning to
the count.
eyes," he replied; "a very remarkable
shot"
"The best shot ever knew used to
shoot every day." said, ''and at least
three times every day before dinner"
"And what sort of shot was he?"
asked the count.
"This sort, count; if he saw fly settle
on the wall-you smile, countess, but /
assure you it is fact-when he saw the
fly he would call out, 'Kouska, my
pistolp Kouska brought him the loaded
pistol. A crack, and the fly was crushed
into the wall!'
"And what was his nameT'
"Silvio was his name"
"Silvio!'' exclaimed the count, starting
from his seat. "You knew Silvio?'
"How could fail to know him? We
were comrades; he was received at our
mess like brother officer. It is now
about five years since last had tidings
of him. Then you, count, also knew
him?"
81 knew him very well. Did he never
tell you of one very extraordinary Incl
dent in his life?'
"Do you mean the slap in the face,
count, that he received from black
guard at ballr'
"He did not tell You the name of this
blackguard?"
mo, count, he did not. Forgive me-"
added, guessing the truth, ''forgive me
Il did not-could it really have been
your"
'It was myself" replied the count,
greatly agitated, land the shots in the
picture are memento of our last meet
ing"
"Oh, my DEAR" said the countess, "for
Gods sake do not relate it! 1t frightens
me to think Of it,"
mo-" replied the count; II must tell
him all. He knows how insulted his
friend. He shall also know how SilyiO