The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-05-13

Oh'J 0hoie tihic iOliSer lOT WHen we
saw that our host was giving no more
attention to the game, we broke up and
went homo, speaking of nothing but
the vacancy which would soon exist in
the squadron.
The next morning as we met in the
riding school we asked each other, els
the lieutenant still alive ?" But, behold
the man came in as fresh as ever. To
our astonishment, he had received no
challenge from Sylvio.
With puzzled minds we then visited
Sylvio, and found him in his court.
yard, sending ball after ball through n
card which he had nailed up again st
the stable door. He received us as If
nothing had happened, and was silent
about yesterdays occurrence. This
conduct on the part of Sylvio caused
him TO fall in the estimation of the off,
GERS for the lack of personal courage Is
deemed inexcusable by military men,
among whom to be brave is the first
virtue. This unpleasant affair was,
however, gradually forgotten, and Syl.
vic recovered his former influence and
position in our circle. l, alone, could
not induce myself to regard him with
my former feelings, Before this event
my Imagination had drawn me to this
man, who appeared to be a mystery,
and | think that he, too, preferred me
to all the rest, for against me he never
INDUCED in sarcasm as he often did
with my comrades, but always treated
me with great sincerity.
But after this occurrence, l never
could Danish the thought that his honor
was stained. l could not look him fully
in the face as formerly. Silvio's eyes
were too sharp not to observe this; it
panied him, and it seemed to me that
on several occasions he tried to bring
about an explanation, but 1 evaded it
because it was painful to me, and SO at
last he desistcd.
Dwellers in large cities can hardly
understand what sensation the most
triiiing affair makes in small town,
Thus the arrival of the mails throws a
small town in commotion. Every
wednesday and Friday the headquar-
ters of our regiment was filled with
omcers, one expecting money from
home, another letters, and another
newspapers, which soon became COM
mon property and were devoured with
eagerness. They usually broke the seals
OF their letters on the spot, and shared
the contents with their comrades. Syl-
vic also received his letters in our mail
bag, and one day he received one which
he broke open with great impatience.
His eyes kindled as they glanced over
it; but as every one was occupied with
his own matters, his excitement was
not remarked.
"Gentleman," he cried with an ex-
cited tone, 81 shall leave here tonight,
l therefore beg you to honor me at noon
with your company for the last time.
And you, too, captain" he said, turn
ing TO me. 81 shall count on you" l
bowed silently, and he departed. We
dispersed, with the understanding that
we would meet at noon ut his rooms.
AT the appointed hour l went there,
aud found my comrades already assem-
bled. We went to dinner, and our
agreeable host, to day almost nervously
cheerful, soon infected us all with his
gay humor and the corks flew, the wine
glasses were filled and emptied more
rapidly every moment, and we all
wished the departing one good luck on
his journey. lie took friendly leave
of each of his guests, and as / was also
about to pay my respects, he detained
me. 81 beg you to stay few moments,
| have something to say to you alone"
/ remained. We sat down in silence
on his divan, smoking our chibouques.
Sylvio's gaiety had disappeared, his
face was deathly pale, but his eyes glow
ed through the cloud of smoke which
he blew from him. So he continued
for a few minutes, when he at last
broke the silence which was becoming
painful and disagreeable,
"Between us an explanation is neces-
sary," he began in hoarse, faltering
voice; "for the opinion of the rest l
care very little, but | like you, and l
do not wish to depart leaving you un-
der false impression. You were GER
tanly surprised that did not call that
swaggerer to accounts it not true ?
And was that not also the reason why
you withdrew from me? You will OBJ
serve, captain, could easily justify
my conduct on the ground of magma.
nimity, but l never lie! Had / been
in position to meet him without any
risk on my part, had my own life been
exposed to no danger, | certainly should
not have presented him with his"
Fairly shocked by such cynical can
dor, | stared at him. | had certainly
not expected such an avowal from him.
"You look astonished," he continued
"but | was forced to act so. | had no
right to expose my life, for six years
ago l received blow on the face, and |
he who gave it is still living"
My establishment increased.
"And did not fight after such an in
suit ?' | earnestly asked.
docs an insuperable object keep you
from your enemy?"
"Oh! l fought him and here Is the
proof" He took from box an old
hussar cap, which was perforated just
above where the forehead would be
when it was on. "Attend. / belonged
to the Cars own regiment, in which l
was always accustomed to be first and
as then it was the fashion to buster and
bully, was the greatest in the regi-
mcnt. Hard drinking was considered
glorious, and ] vanquished the mad
Dolgourcky, who was noted for his ca.
pasity. Duels took place every day in
our regiment, and l was concerned in
all of them, either us principal or sec.
hot 4