The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-02
maze every one trcmple.

'One."
1.-TWO"
'"rIREE"
Then he heard the sound of the ham,
mer falling on the cap of Zodomirsly's
pistol. There was n flash, but no sound
| followed it.
Stamm had not fired, and continued
to hold the mouth of his pistol against
the breast OF his adversary.
Fire." said Zodomirsliy, in a voice
parfcctly calm.
1T is not for you TO command, mon
siepr,' said Stamm, cit is who must
decide whether to fire or not, and that
depends on how VOC anawer what am
about say"
'Spcsl<, then; but III the name of
heaven speak quickly
"Ncver fear, will not abuse your
patience"
We were all ears.
II have not :come to kill you. mon
heur," continued StamuG. II have coprc
NTH the cIsgFcssness of IL nan to whom
lite holds lSoahing, while 5t has kept
nune of tho, promises it INK. made Ie
hiai. NouI rhSyIsieur, are rtsis. YOU ara.
beloved, yom assee u promising future
before you; life must be dear to Won.
But fate has doridcd against guu; it is
you who must. die and not Il Well.
Monsieur Zo,lkrnirsky, give ne your
word not to- be- Sd prompt in tie future
to fight duels, auri will not five"
II aave not been prompt to caal YOU
out, monsieur" replied Zodomii>lsy i'm
the same calm voice: ''vou hive
wounded me by anu outrageous c-mpar-
ison. and liuTe' been compelled to
challenge YOU fire, then; Il have
nothing tosay to,ypu."
My conditions cannot wountil your
honor" insisted Stamm. BE. our
judge, major; lie added, turning TO
Belayef. "hwill abide by your opinion;
perhaps III. Zodomirsky will follow my
example,
M. Zodomirskyv Aas conducted him
self as bravely as possible; If he iie not
killed, it 10 not HIS fault" Then, turn
ing to the officers round, he said:
Can Ne. Zodomiuslsy accept the i'm
posed condition."
He can, lie cam they cried: land
without s:ii ming ais honor in the
slightest
ZodomirslSy stood motioncss
The captain consents said old
Pravdine. adva ueipg
Yes, III, tle fuaare he will he less
prompt
1T is yvu wl,* speak, captain. and
not NJ. ZodotnirSliy." said Stamm.
"Wiil you IL ffirm my words Monsieur
Iodomirslly?' asked Pravdine, almost
suppicating in his cagerness.
Il consent said Zodomirsliy, in :.
voice barely intesligiblc.
'Hurrah. huir.ili.' cried all tho Off
ccrs, enchanted with this tcruiina-
ton. Two or three threw up, theii-
caps.
Il 1fn more charmed than any one"
said S.amm. that all has ended as |
desired. Now. captain, | have shown
You that before a rcsolutc man the ar:
of shooting is nothing in duel. and
that il the chances arc equal good
shot is on the same level as a bad one.
| did not wish in any case TO kill
You. Only | had great desire 10 see
how you would look death in the face.
You arc man of courage; accept my
compliments. The pistols were not
loaded" Stamn, as lie said This. fired off
his pistol. There was no report.
Zodomirsliy uttered cry which re-
scmbled the roar OF wounded lion.
.
is new offence, and more insulting
than the first All. it is ended. YOU
say? No, monsieur, it must recon-
mence. and this time the pistols shall
be- loaded. if have to load them my
self
NO. captain" replied Stamm tran
gully. Il have given yon your life,
will NOT take i, hicll Insult M If yoa
Then il i. with ne whom you Will
fight Monsieur Sta.nni. cricd ir:,y,iiu".
pulling rfi his coat. ',>on lave ;.ctcI
like :; ~cnlndr.': You hay. Gu.i~ai
Zodomrsi<y and his seconds, and in FIVE
minute, If your dead body is not lying
at my feet. there is no such thing Is
Justice
,,tamm was visib!y confused. He had
not barganed for this.
And if the captain does not kill
yon ! Will" said Naletoff.
'.Or IT, "Or J." cried with one voice
all the officers.
The devil! cannot fight with You
all replied Stamm. Choose ono
among you. and will fight with him;
though il will not DC duel, but AN HIS
sassinatiom.r
''Reassurc yourself. monsieur, To-
piled Major Belayef: I'VE will do moth
ing that tlic most scrupuious honor can
complain OF. All our officers are in
suited. for under their uniform yoi,
have conducted Yourself like "A rascal.
You cannot fight with all; il is even
probable you will fight with none.
Hold yourself IN readiness. then. You
arc 10 he judged. Gentlemen. will you
appreciate