The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-18

an inch above his forehead
You see he said. sitting down again
Il served formerly in the - Hussa r:
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
! saw my authority waning. after the adj
vent Of singuarly brilliant young fellow
in our company, promptly began to hate
my rival.
I must admit however, that he was the
most fascinating man I ever saw. For a
long time he remained impervious to my
efforts at a quarrel, but at last at a ball.
/ ! said something to him that reused his
anger. We agreed to settle the matter
the next morning at daybreak.
Il was Early at he meeting place with my
seconds and as ! paced up and down in
my impatience, caught sight Of him calmly
str9lIing along. eating wild cherries:
The witnesses measured the distance
and we took our places Although it was
my right to fire first. was so agitated
| that did not feel sure Of myself and in
sisted that he should have the first shot
He refused and we decided to settle 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 held his
life in my hands
| looked at him narrowly. seeking for
made me furious. He stood calmly waiting
for me to shoot still eating cherries.
"A cruel idea flashed though my mind.
threw down my pistol
-" l. do not think you are prepared to
die said. 1 had better let yo, finish your
brea kfast'
AS You please he replied, I am ready
now or at any time.
Il turned to my witnesses. I will not
shoot to-day, said, and the duel was left
unfinished
Il resigned from the regiment, but since
then not day has passed that have not
thought Of nv revenge, At last the hour
has come"
Sylvio took from his pocket the letter
! had seen in his hand the day before and
the information that certain young officer
was about to be married to charming
young girl.
tonight, and we will see whether he is
ready to die now, as he was the day he ate
the cherries.
just then the servant entered. saying
that the horses were harnessed Sylvio
shook my hand and took his seat in the
carriage, where his only baggage, besides
his dressing case, was the box OF pistols.
Several years passed and the death Of
my father compelled me to lea We the army
anu assume my position aS the head of
the family. Our estate was in the district
Of N and was living there alone. when
| heard that the Count and Countess of
Il, who owned the property adjacent
to mine, were coming there to live. The
advent OF nelghbor is great event in
the country, and 7 fastened to call upon
their eIoellencies and lay my services at
their feet
The Count was handsome proud look
ing man and his wife was charming, and
we were soon talking with all the pleasure
OF old friends. During the conversation
l examined the books on the table, but
presently my attention was caught by n
picture, pierced by two bullet holes one
Immediately below the other
What good shot, = could not help
remarking.
Yes said the Count. a strange e1-
shoot?"
a little" replied, -but do not pre-
tend to have the skill OF an old friend OF
mine, who used to kill the flies on the wall
by shooting at them. never knew any
one with an aim like Sylvio's.r
-Sylno!' c-ied 'ne Count. DO you
know him.
Surely I answered; y knew him we'll
when my regiment was stationed in u"
How strange! Did he ever speak to
you Of duel he left unfinished?"
Are you the MANI / exclaimed re.
membering sylvio's story the night OF his
departure.
Il am, said the Count. "and that picture
which you Fave been looking at Just now