The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-22
man who dealt it is still alive"

Didn't you fight him?"
 Yes replied Sylyio, and here is he proof of our duel"
 He rose and took an officers hat from a box beside him and put it on his head. There was a small hole in the center, half an inch above his forehead.
 You see" he said, sitting down again, T served formerly in the Hussars. where, thanks to natural high spirits and strong love of fun. soon became the most popular officer in the regiment The position pleased me and little later, when I saw my authority waning, after the advent of a singular ly brilliant young fellow in our com pany, promptly began to hate my rival
 '''I must admit, however. that he was the most fascinating man ever saw For a long time he remained imperious to my efforts at quarrel, but at last at a ball I said something to him that reused his anger. We agreed ta settle the matter the next morning at day. 1 break.
 T was early at the meeting place with my seconds, and as paced up and down in my impatience caught sight of him calmly strolling along, eat ing wild cherrie.
 'aThe witnesses measured the distance and we took our places. Although IL was my right to fire first, was so agftated that I did not feel sure of my self and insisted that he should have the first shot. He refused and we de- cided it by tossing up.
 Fate decided for him. He aimed, the report rang out and the bullet pierced my helmet, as you saw.
 Then it was my turn, At last l held his life in my hands "I loked ato him narrowly, seeking for some sign O fterror.or fear. His in difference made me furious. He stood calmly waiting for me to shoot still eating cherries. <
 "A cruel idea flashed through my mind. I threw down my pistol
 I do not think you are prepared to die I said. I had better let you nh- ish your breakfast .-.
 As you please he replied. am ready now or at any time g#- q turned to my witnesses. T will not shoot to-day I said, and the duel was left unfinished. ,s-... ; .-.
 q resigned from the regiment, but since then not day has passed that have no thought of my revnge. At Hast the hour has come" .-
 Sylvio took from his pocket the let. ter I had seen in his hand the day De fore and handed it to me. 1t merely contained the information that cer' tain young officer, was about to Dc married to charming young girl.
 You can guess the connection" sait sylvio with cruel smile" T leave
 for Moscow no-night, and we will SCI
 whether he is as ready to die now al
 he was the day he ate the cherries.
 Just then the servant entered; sayinl
 that the horses were farnessed. syl
 vio shook my hand and took his seat il the carriage, where his only baggage
 besides his carriage case, was the DO of pistols. 1# Several years passed, and the deat of my father compelled me to leave tn [ army and assume my position as tn head of the family. Our estate was i
 inc district of N---and l was liyln there alone, when I heard that th
 Count and Countess of B. Wh owned the property adjacent to min' m
 were coming there to live. The adVef of a neighbor is great event in tn . country, and hastened to call upo
 their excellencies and lay my service t at their feet. s.g
 The count was a handsome, prou looking man, and his wife was charm
 inc and we were soon talking With , the pleasure of old friends. During tn I conversation I examined the books - the table, but presently my attentio , was caught by a picture pierced by " ! bullet holes. one immediately below u !. other.
 . what a good shot!" could not he = remarking. .~..:....
 "Yes," said the count, a strange e
 pression passing over his face, DO ye et shoot?" T "A little," I replied, ''but do n e nretend to have the skill of an o IF friend of mine who used to kill u if flies on tl>~ wall by shooting at thel W never lew any one with an ai it like sylvio's.'' IS "sylvio!" cried the. count Do y ii know him?" ,. V "sure1y," I answered. T knew hi rt well when my regiment was station
 in X-."
 ;s "How strange! Did he ever speak to you of duel he left unfinished?'
 Are you the man?'@ I exclaimed, ,- membering sylvio's story the night " his departure.
 he q am," said the count, f'and that p
 ture which you have been looking . just now is souvenir of our last
 terview. It happened a month afte1
 was married. We were staying he