The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-18
THE UNFINISHED DUEL.
Story of Hat With One Hole in 1t and Of a
Picture With Two Holes Through It,

Our life in the little Russian town where
our regiment had been detailed was not
distracting. Our one amusement was
dining with former officer who lived alone
in the little out of the way vilag &c and who
kept hi table read for as many Of us as
cared to dine with him
20 one knew why he had left the service
and no one dared to ask him. His principal
occupation was pistol shooting, and the
walls Of his rooms were rildled with holes,
while his skill in the art was so we'll known
that had he proposed to shoot at a pear
fastened on the top Of the helmet of one of
lis, we would have permitted him without
word His craftsmanship was perfect
One night there were ten of us dining
with Sylvio. az I will name him for pur-
poses Of convenience. and all drinking
heavily. After dinner the cards were pro.
duced and we began to play, with the ex.
cepton Of Svlvio, who elways refused to
join us
Presently an officer who had but lately
joined the regiment and was not accus-
toned to the ways of our host appealed
to him to settle disputed point. As usual
SylNio refused to have anything to do with
it
Then the young fellow. hot with wine
and excitement, and considering himself
insulted by his host, seized heavy Candida
trum which was standing on the table and
threw it at Sylvio who fortunately lodged
IT, Sylvio rose, pale with anger, his eyVs
flashing
Leave this house, sir" he commanded,
and thank your protecting fate that this
happened in my house
Naturally we expected that the affair
would end in duel and looked upon the
young Lieutenant as already dead, but to
otf intense establishment Sylvio passed
the matter over with slight explanation
and nothing more was said Apparently
ne was satisfied
was not, however A man who would
tamely submit % an insult like that was not
friend for me. and promptly broke OF
all relation with Sylvio, although until then
has known him better, perhaps, than
any one else in the regiment.
Not long after this he came into our
rooms, an open etterin his hand and begged
us TO come to farewell dinner at his house,
as he was going away Immediately.
"1expect you, l expect you without fail
he added. turning to me-
The next night nearly all the regiments
officers were at Sylvios house where exoept
for the dining room furnit re, everything
was packed and the rooms bare. 1t was a
merry dinner and late one. but as started
to leave with the others Sylvio detained me,
saying he wanted to speak with me.
We sat for some time in silence beside
the empty table strewn with bottles and
dishes. Presently my companion spoke.
i do not believe we shall ever meet
again, he said slowly, shut in any case
should be sorry to 60 away and leave YOU
| thinking that l was coward. 1t seemed
strange to you that did not challenge the
drunken fool who threw the candelabrum
at my head since it was my right to choose
the weapons and to fire the first shot. |
assure you did not spare him out of gener-
osity, Had been able to punish him with
out risk to myself should have done So"
looked at Sylvio in mazement. this was
the last thing | should have expected TO
hear him say.
1t is perfectly true" Sylvio continued
cannot risk my life now. Six years ago
/. received 81 ow and the man who dealt
it IL still alive"
My curiosity was growing keen.
Didn't you fight him?r
nr sYes, ;, replied led sylvio, 'and here is the
He rose and took an officers hat from
a box beside him and put it on his head.
There was small hole In the center, half