The record-union., 1893-01-27

" @ All parted at Inc RaVeuSkyS door,
each officer shaking hands with Zodo-
mirsky rs with All old friend.
Stanm was waiting for me when 1 ar
rived at his house. Ills conditions were
these-two sabers were to be planted at
distance of one pace apart; each opponent
TO extend his arm at full length and fire
at the word three one pistol alone
was to be loaded.
/ endeavored in vain TO obtain another
mode OF combat.
1T is not a victim I offer to NJ. Zodo-
mirsky." said Stamm, but an adversary.
lie VIII tight as L propose, or | viii not
at all; butln that case l shall prove that
NJ. Zodomlrsky is brave only when sure
Of his own safety"
Zodomirsky's orders were imperative.
/ accepted.
When / entered Zodomirsky's rooms
they were empty: he had not arrived. /
looked around with curiosity. They were
furnished in a rich, but simple manner
and with evident taste. | drew chair
near the balcony and looked out over the
plain. A storm was brewing. some drops
OF rain fell already, and thunder moaned.
At this instant the door opened, and
Zodomirsky and Pravdine entered. l
advanced to meet them.
I'VE are lale, Captain" said Zodo-
mlrsky, but il was unavoidable. And
what says Stamm?' he continued.
gave him his adversary's conditions.
When | had ended a sad smile passed
over his face; he drew his hand across
his forehead and his eyes glittered with
teyerish luster.
y had foreseen this" he murmured.
You have accepted, | presume?"
Did you not give me the order, your
self"
Absolutely" he replied.
Zodomirsky threw himself in a chair
by the table, in which position he faced
the door. Pravdine placed himself near
the window, and [ near the fire. A pre-
sentiment weighed down our spirits. 4
mournful silence reigned
Suddenly the door opened and woman
mulfied in mantle, and with the hood
drawn over ner face, pushed past the
servant and stood before US. She threw
back the hood, and we recognized Mari
ana Ravensky.
Pravdine and stood motionless with
astonishment. Zodomirsky sprang to-
ward her.
Great heavensl what has happened,
ana why are you here?'
why am | here, George?" she cried.
Is 1t you who asks me, when this night is
perhaps the last OF your life? Why am /
here? 10 say farewell to you. 1t is only
two hours since l saw you, and not one
word passed between US OF tomorrow.
Was that well, George?''
But | am not alone here" said Zodo-
mfsky in low voice. Think, Mari
ana. Your reputatiOn-your fair fame
Are you not ali in all to me, George?
Ana IN such time as this what matters
anything else?"
She threw her arms about his neck and
pressed her head against his breast.
Pravdine and L made some steps to quit
the room.
stay, gentlemen she said. lifting her
mead. since you have seen me here. [
nave nothing more to hide from you, and
perhaps you may be able to help ME in
what | AM about to say"
feet:
II implore you, L command you.
George" she cried, mott to fight this duel
with Monsieur Stamm. You will not end
two lives by such a useless act! Your
life belongs to me; it is no longer yours.
George, do you hear? You will not do
tEis"
Mariana! Mariana! in the name of
heaven do not torture me thus! Can re-
fuse to fight? | should be dishonored-
lost! Ii l should do so cowardly an act.
shame would Kill me more surely than
Stamm's pistol.'
Captain, she said to Pravdine. "you
are esteemed in the regiment as a man of
honor; you can then Judge about affairs
of honor. Have pity on me, Captain, and
tell him he can refuse such duel as this.
Make him understand that it is not
duel, but an assassination; speak, speak,
Captain, and if he will not listen to me,
he will to YOU"
Pravdine was moved. His lips trem-
bled and his eyes were dimmed with
tears. lie rose, and approaching Mari
ana, kissed her hand, and said in a tremb-
ling voice:
TO spare you any sorrow. Mademoi-
selle, would lay down my life; but to
counsel NJ. Zodomirsky to be unworthy
OF his uniform by refusing this duel is
impossible. Each adversary, your be-
trothed as well as Stamm, mas a right to
propose mis- conditions. But whatever be
the conditions the Captain is i'll circum-
stances which render this duel absolutely
necessary. lie is known as a skillful
duellst; TO refuse Stamms conditions
We're to indicate that he counts upon his
skill.'
Enough, Mariana, enough" cried
George. unhappy girl! you do not know
what you demand. DO you wish me to
fall so low that you yourself would be
ashamed of me? | ask you, are you
capable Of loving a dishonored man ?"
Mariana had let herself fall upon a chair.
She rose. pale as corpse, and began to
put her mantle on.
You are right, George; it is not [ who
would love you no more, but YOU who
would hate me. We must resign our
selves to our fate. Give me your hand,
George; we may never see each other
again. Tomorrow tomorrow? my
loye!"
Sne threw herself upon his breast, with
out tears, without sobs, but with pro-
found despair.
She wished to depart alone. but Zodo-
mirsky insisted upon seeing her home.
Midnight was striking when he re-
turned.
You had better both retire" said
Zodomirsky as he entered. II have sew
eral letters to write before sleeping. AT 5
we must be at the rendezvous"
| felt so wearied that 1 did not want
telling twice. Pravdiue passed into the
saloon, | into Zodomirsky's bedroom.
and the master of the house into his
study.
The cool air of the morning woke me.
| cast my eyes upon the window, where
the dawn commenced TO appear. l heard
Pravdine also stirring. / passed into the
saloon, where Zodomirsky Immediately
Joined US. His face was pale, but serene,
Are the horses ready ~ he inquired.
l made a sign in the affirmative.
"ihen let lis START he said.
We mounted into the carriage and
drove of.
All" said Praudine ali at once, "there
IS Michaelovitch's carriage. Yes, yes, it
IS he with one OF ours; and there is Nalet-
of, on his Circassian horse. Goodi the
others are coming behind. 1t is well we
started so soon.i
The carriage had to pass the house of
the Ravenskys. | could not refrain from
looking up; the poor girl was at her win
dow, motionless as a statue. She did not
even nod to us.
"Quickerl quickerr cried Zodo-
mirsiSy to the coachman. 1t was the only
sign by which l knew that he had seen
Mariana.