The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-02
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several letters to write before sleeping
AT five We must be at the rendezvous"
felt So wearied that did; not vrnnt
telling twice Pravdinc passed. into u
saloon into Zodomirslsy's. bedroom,
and the master of the house. into, his
study.
The cool nir of the morning. woke
me- cast my eyes upon the window,
where dawn commenced to appeur. l
heard Raviine also stirring. Ipassed
into the saloon, where Zodomirslly inn
laaediatcly joined us. His face was pale
but serene
sAre the horses ready?" lie. inquired.
aiadc sign III the affirmative
Then let us start" he said
We mounted into the canriage, and
drove Oft.
''Ah,7 said Pravdine adj at once,
there is Michaclovitchs carriage Yes.
yes, it is he with one of ours and there
is Naletoff, on his Circassiau horse
Good. the others are coming behind
1t is we'll we started so soo:c.''
The carriage had to pass tho house of
the RavcnskEs. | coul;l not refrain
from looking up; the poos- girl was at hc,.
window, motionless as u statue. She
! did not even nod to us.
| Quicker. quicker" cried Iodomirslly
to the coac Gilman II was the only Sign
| by which | knew that lie had seen
! Mariana.
Soon We distanccd the other car
! riagcs. and arrived upon the place of
combat-;i plain where two great pyra-
mids rose, passing i'll this district by
| the name OF the Tomb OF the Two
Brothers" The first rays OF the sun
| darting through the trees began to dis
sipate the miats OF night.
Michaelovitch arrived Immediately
after lis, and in Il few minutes we
formed a group of nearly twenty per-
sons. Then we heard other steps upon
! the gravel They We're those OF our
opponents. Stamm walked first. hold
ing IN hi- hands box OF pistols. lie
bowed 10 Io1omirsky and the officers.
WHO gives the word to fire, gentle
Mcn?" lie asked
The two nivcrsarics and the seconds
turned toward the officers, who re.
gardcd them vita pciplcNity.
No one offered. No one wished to
pronounce that terrible three" which
wond Sign tho fate of :; coinra,tc.
~ i'll Won render me this service:
Thus asked the ma jo' could not re-
fuse. and he made IA sign that he ac-
ccptcd.
BE good enough to indicate Our
places. gentlemen continued Zoio-
mirs!ty giving me his sabre and taking
of his coat. Then load If you please :
Tina, is useless" said S;amm: Il
have brought the pistols; one OF the
two is loaded. the other has only a
cap.
do you know which is which?" said
l'ravdinc.
VIVA; does it NATTER" replied
Stamm. Monsieur Zodomir,ky will
choose
IL is we'll said Zodo;uirsliy.
Bclavcf drew his sa ore and thrust it
in the ground midway between the two
pyramids. Then he took another ia bre
and planted it before the first. One
pace alone separated the two blades
Each adversary was To stand behind Il
sabre. extending his arm at full length.
In this way each had the muzzle OF his
opponents pistol al six inches from his
heart. Nhhe Belayef mad. ,hs9@ prep
arations Siamm nnbuclsied his sabre
and divcstcd himself of his coat. His
seconds opened his box of pistols. and
Zodomirsliy. approaching tool, with
out hesitation the nearest TO him.
Then lie placed himself behind one OF
the sabrcs.
Stamm rega rded him closely; not q
muscle of Zodomirslty's face moved. and
there was not about him the least APP
pearance OF bravado but of the calm
ness of courage.
.'He is brave" murmcred Stamm.
And taking The pistol left by Zodo,
mirsky. he took up his position behind
the other sa bre, in front of his adver-
sary.
They were both pale, but while tbs
eyes OF Zod omirslxy burned with impla
cable resolution, those of Stamm We're
uneasy and shifting. felt my hear
boat loudly.
Bclayef advanced. All eyes wer'
Axed on him.
care you ready, gentlemen?" h
asked
ave are waiting major" replied 10
domirsliy and Stamu together. ant
each lifted his pistol before the breast
OF the other.
A dcath-likc silence rcigncd Onl.
the birds sang III the bushes near the
place OF combat. In the midst of thi,
silence the maior's voice rcsoundiae