The record-union., 1893-01-27

"Do you know which is which ?'' said
Pravdine
What does it matter?' replied Stamm.
Monsieur Zodomirsky viii choose"
''It is well, t" said Zodomirsky.
Belayef drew his saber and thrust it
into the ground midway between the two
pyramids. Then he took another saber
and planted 1t before the first. One pace
alone separated the two blades. Each ad-
versary was to stand behind a saber ex-
tending his arm at full length. In this
way each had the muzzle of mis- oppo-
nents pistol at six inches from the heart.
While Belayef made these preparations
Stanm unbuckled his saber and divested
himself Of his coat. His seconds opened
his box of pistols. and Zodomirsky, ap-
preaching. took without hesitation the
nearest one to him. Then he placed him
sell behind one of the sabers.
Stamm regarded him closely; not
muscle of LodOmirsky' s face moved, and
there was not about him the least appear
ance Of bravado, but OF the caImness Of
his courage.
''He is brave" murmured Stamm.
And taking up the pistol left by Zodo-
mirsky he took up his position behind
the other saJer, in front OF his adversary.
They We're both pale, but while the
eyes of Zodomirsky burned with inn
placable resolution these of Stamm were
uneasy and shifting. l felt my heart beat
loudly.
Helayef advanced. All eyes We're fixed
on him.
Are you ready. gentlemen ?" he asked.
W are waiting, Major" replied Zod-
omlrsky and Stamm together, and each
lifted his pistol before the breast of the
other.
a death-like silence ensued. Only the
blrGs sang IN the bushes near the place of
combat. In the midst OF this silence tie
MAJORS voice resounding made every
one tremble.
One"
"Iwo.p
''Threep
Then we heard the sound of the ham,
mer ialIlng on the cap of Zodomlrsky's
pistol. There was a Hash. but no sound
followed it,
6tamm had not fired. and continued to
noId the mouth of his pistol against the
breast OF his adversary.
ire" said Zodomlrsky, in a voice
perfectly calm.
at is not for you to command, mon
sleur," said Stamm, sit is who must de-
eide whether to fire or not, and that de-
about to say"
speak, then; but in the name of
heaven speak quickly"
Never fear, viii not abuse your pa
tience." -
We were all ears
Il nave not come to kill you, mon
sieur," continued Stamn: u have come
with the carelessness Of a man to whom
ne hoIds nothing, while it has kept none
OF the promises made to him. You. mon
sleur, are rich, you are beloved, YOU have
promising future before you; life must
oe Gear To you. But fate has decided
against you; it is you who must die. and
not L. Well, Monsieur Zodonirsky. give
me your word not to be so prompt IN the
luttre to hight duels, and l viii not fire."
nave not been prompt to call you
out, monsieur" replied ZodomirskV in
the same calm voice; you have wounded
me by an outrageous comparison, and l
nave been compelled to challenge Won.
tlre, then; | have nothing to say to you"
My conditions cannot wound your
honor" insisted Stamm. 'sBe our Judge.
Major" he added, turning to Belayef.
VIII aoide by your opinion; perhaps
M. Lodomlrsky will follow my example"
M. Zodomirsky has conducted him
sell as brayely as possible; if he is not
Killed 1t is not his fault" Then, turning
to the officers round, he said:
"Can NJ. Zodomirsky accept the pro-
posed condition?r
He can! He canW ~ they cried" "and
without staining his honor in the slight
est.'
Zodomirsky stood motionless.
Inc captain consents" said old PRAY
dine, advancing.
prompt" '- " 80
ut is you who speak, Captain. and not
NJ. Zodomirsky," said Stamn.
Nlu you affirm my words, Monsieur
Zodomlrsky," asked Pravdine, almost
suppllcating in his eagerness.
CONSENT" said Zodomirsky. in
voice hardly Ineligible.
"Hurrah! hurrah y cried all the Off
GERS, enchanted with this termination.
Two or three threw up their caps.
Il am more charmed than anvone.v
SAID Stamm, that all has ended as | de-
slred. Now, Captain, l have shown you
that before a resOlute man the art of
shooting Is nothing in a duel, and that if
the chances are equal good shot is on
the same level as bad one. | did not
wish IN any case to kill you. Only [ had
great desire to see how you would look
death IN the face; You are man OF cour-
age; accept my compliments. The pistols
were not loaded" Stanm, as he said
this, fired OIL his pistol. There was no
report.
Iodomirsky uttered cry which re-
sembled the roar ola wounded lion.
by my fathers soul ~ he cried, ''this
u a nov OtISiiSG, anu more insulting than
the first. All it is ended, you say? No.
monsieur, it must recommence. and this
time the pistols shall be loaded, if I have
to load them myself
mo, Captain" replied Stamm. tran
gully. .! have given you your life, l
VIII not take it back. Insult me if YOU
wish, | viii not fight with you"
Then it is with me whom Won will
fight, Monsieur Stamm," cried Pravdine,
pulling Off his coat. You have acted
like scoundrel; you have deceived
Zodomlrsly and his seconds. and in five
minutes if your dead body is not Iyin0 at
my feet there is no such thing as Justice"
>tamm was visibly confused He had
not bargained for this.
and if the Captain does not kill Won. 7
wills" said Naletoff.
or 1o' "Or l !" cried with one voice
all the officers.
The devil! 1 can not fight with YOU
all, +" replied Stamm. Choose one anl0nC
you, and | Will fight with him. though Il
Will not be duel, but an assassination
heassure yourself, Monsieur" replied
Mayor Belayet, I'VE will do nothing that
the most scrupulous honor can complain
OF. All our officers are insulted, for
under their uniform you have conducted
yourself like rascal. on can not fight
with all; it is even probable you will
fight with none. Hold yourself in readi-
ness, then. You are to be judged. GEN
tlemen, will you approachT''
- We surrounded the Major, and the fiat
went forth without discussion. Every
one was OF the same opinion.
t,Ihen the Major, VINO had played the
role of President, approached Stamm.
and said to him:
Monsieur, you are lost to all the laws
of honor. Your crime was premeditated
in cold blood. You have made NJ. Zodor-
mirsky pass through all the sensations Of
a man condemned to death, while Won
were perfectly at ease, you who knew
that The pistols We're not loaded. FINALLY.