The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-02
oN1., TWO, THEE

length and fire at the word ''threw.T
| One pistol alone was to be- loaded.
l endeavored in vain to'ebtain another
mode of combat.
at is not victim 1 offer TO ri. To-
domirsky,T said Stamm, ''but an adver-
sary. He will fight as L propose, or
shall prove that NJ. Zodomirslsy is brave.
only when sure of his own safety"
ZodomirsSy's orders were in,peraitve:
accepted
When | entered Zodomirsltys roems,.
they We're vacant; he had not arrived
looked round with curiosity. They
were furnished in a rich but simple.
manner, and with evident taste. drew
chair near the balcony and looked out
over tho plain. A storm Was brewing;
some drops OF rain fell already and
thunder mOaned.
At this instant the door opened, anil
Zodomirsky and PravdinEs entered. l.
advanced TO meet them.
1--WE s-e late, captain said 70
domirsl>T, but it was unavoidable.
And what says Stamina" he continued
gave him his adversary's conditions
When had ended, sad smile passed
over his face; he drew his hand across
his forehead and his eyes glittered with
fevcrish lustre. II lad forscen this"
he murmured. "loa have accepted,
prestmc?'
Did you not give me the orGer yonr-
self:''
absolutely" lie replied
Zodomirsl>y threw himself i'll n chair
by the table. in which position he faced
the door. Pravdinc placed himself near
the window. and l near the fire. A
prcsentiincnt weighed down our spirits.
~ mournful silence rcigned.
Suddenly the door opened and u
woman mufiied in a mantle, and with
the hood drawn over her face, pushed
past the servant, and stood before us
She threw back the hood, and VIC rccog-
nized Mariana Ravensky.
Pravdne and ! stood motionlcss with
establishment. Zodomirsl1y sprang to-
ward her
Great heavens what has happened,
and why are You hcrc?"
''Why am hero. George" She cried
is it YOU who asks inc, when this night
is perhaps the last Of your life? Why
am here? 10 say farewell to You. IL
is only two hours since saw you. and
! not one word passed between Us of to-
morrow. Was that we'll Georgc""''
| Bat I am not alone here" said 10
| domirsky in Il low voice. Think. Ma
RAMA Your reputation your fair
| fame ----
Are YOU not all in all To me. George
| And in such time as this what mat
tcrS anything clsc:''
| She threw her arm about his neck and
| pressed her head against ms breast.
pravdine and ! made some steps to
! quit the room.
stay. gentlemen she said. lifting
her head. Since YOU have seen nc
here, | have nothing more TO hide from
| you, and perhaps You may be able to
help me in what l am abomt 70 say"
Then. suddenly hinging herselfathis
feet:
Il implore, command you. George. +"
she cried, mot To fight this duel with
| Monsieur S,amm. You will not end
two lives by such useless act. Your
life belongs to NC; il is no longer yours.
George. do YOU hear: You will not do
| this"
Mariana Mariana. in the name OF
heaven do not torture me thus! Can
refuse to fight? should be dishonorcd
| lost. If could do so cowardly al act.
shame would xiii me more surely than
Stamm's pistol
Captain" She said 20 Pravdinc, you
are esteemed in the regiment as man
OF ho"or, yon can then. judge about
stfpirs Of honor. Have pity on inc, cap
tan. am! tel him he can refuse such a
duel a> this. Make him understand
that il is not duel, but an Sesas.ina-
ton: speak. speak, captain. and if he
will not listen 10 me. hc will To Won
Pravdinc WAS moved. His lips trrm-
blcd and his eyes were dinmcd with
tears. lie rose. and. approaching Ma
riana. kissed her hand. and said with a
trembling voice:
10 spare you any sorrow. maGclno-
sellc. would lay down my life: but 10
counsel NJ. Iodonirslly to be unworthy
OF his uniform hy refusing this duel is
Impossible. Each adversary. your be-
trothcd as wei as Stalnm has Il right 10
propose his conditions. But whatever
be the conditions. the captain is in cir
cumstanccs which render this duel alb
solntely necessary. He is known as a
skiiful duelist; TO refuse Stamm's con-
ditions were to indicate that he counts
upon his skill
Enough; Mariana. enough cried
George. Unhappy girl! You 90 not
know what You demand. DO You wish
me to fall so low that you yourself
would be ashamed of me? ask You,
arc You capable of loving dishonored
man.
Mariana had let herself fall upon n