Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-11
lContinued from first page.l

NY sltElOus rOmADce. anu ne, too, appdf
emily, had certain friendly inclination
toward me.
When we were alone be abandoned BIZ
sarcastic way of speaking, and discussed
various topics with me IN the pleasantes
possible manner. After the occurrenc,
which have related. however, the though
grew upon me that this man was suffering
q stain 10 rest upon his honor and that b,
should make no effort to wash it off great
ly embarrassed me in my intercourse will
him. Silvio was too sagacious not TO OBJ
serve this impression OF mine, and thu
reason OF it. He appeared to be quite con
cerned about the matter, and it occurred t.
me once or twice that he might wish tc
give some reason for his conduct; bu
when | tried to draw him out, he became
more reserved than ever. From that houl
| was seldom alone with him, and we haC
no more of the old fam liar conversations
The jewellers in large cities. to whom
all sorts of diversions are constantly avail.
able, have no conception of the excite
ment which the arrival of the mail a ways
brings to isolated country towns. Every
Tuesday and Friday our regimental post
Office was crowded with officers, expect.
ing money, letters or newspapers. Here
packages were unsealed. read, and the
news shared in common.
One day Silvio. whose letters came in
the same manner as our own, received a
sealed envelope, which he broke open
with evident haste; the further he read
the more his eyes glistened, but the Off
GERS were too busy with their own affairs
to specially notice his demeanor.
"Gentlemen," said he. at last, when he
had read to the end, important matters
will require me 10 leave You this evening.
/ should be very glad to have you dine
with me tonight. | expect you Also
sir" he added. turning towards me. al
shall certainly look for you" With these
words he fastened off, and we agreed to
a man that we would accept his invita-
ton.
l put In an appearance at the APP
pointed hour, and found my comrades
had arrived before me. SilviO's luggage
had been packed, and his apartments dis
played only the bare walls perforated by
countless bullets. We seated ourselves
at the table. Silvio was in jovial mood
and the merriment soon became general
Without interruption the champagne
flowed over the tops of our glasses, which
were constantly replenished with the
shimmering wine.
We drank to our hosts lucky Journey
and his safe return, and 1t was late when
we finally rose from the board. Silyio
said good-by to all, but as was going he
seized my hand. II would like to say
word to you" he said quickly. And so
! remained.
We were alone, and sat face to face.
smoking in silence. Silvio's late viyacity
had suddenly given way to an expression
of thoughtful determination. With his
pale cheeks. the glazing fire in his ewes
and the clouds of smoke which rolled out
from between his lips, he seemed like
some wicked demon. Thus few mo-
ments passed, when he broke the ST.
lence.
POSSIBLY we may not meet again." he
said. land therefore before we separate
wish to make an explanation. You have
noticed that do not disturb myself about
the opinions others may have; but I do
like you, and would not have YOU form
a false impression of me-"
lie stopped and threw his pipe into the
fire. Without word inclined nv head
and awaited what he had to say.
You are surprised" he commenced
"because have not asked satisfaction of
that hairbrained lieutenant. Since the
choice OF weapons was mine, practically
held bis life In my hands, while nv own
lie was but slightly exposed. So, YOU
see. might ascribe my leniency in the
matter to magnanimity; but | will not
lie. Ii l could have paid off that fellow
without running any risk of being killed,
! would not have let him escape so east
~"
AT this confession l regarded Silvio
with establishment
yes" he continued, II have no right
to put myself in danger of death, when it
y now nearly six years ago that / was
slapped on the ear, and the man who
struck me still lives"
My curiosity was raised to the highest
pitch.
"And have you never faced him p" 7
asked. Something, of course. has pre-
vented meeting"
II have met him. and here il a reminder
oil the duel" returned Slyio.
With these words he took from a hat
pox which stood near red cap, with gold
iassel and lace-what the French call a
bonnet de police-and put on his head.
~~o""s o." iboh duOfc MS iOrenea0 the cap
was pierced clean through by a bullet
hole.
"You know" he went on, 'that once
served in the regiment of Huzzars. Nv
character You know something of, tool
have liking for authority; indeed, in
youth my desire to hold it amounted to a
passion. At that time IL was the fashion
TO 90 into all sorts of mad schemes, and
mine were the maddest of the whole
army.
1--WE had drinking contests. and I
eelipsed even B, whose great exploits
Our Denis Dewydof had celebrated. Du-
els were everyday affairs. | was inter
ested in most of them, as second at least
My comrades treated me like king, and
the regimental commanders looked upon
me as a necessary evil.
awhile thus in quiet-or unauiet ratb.
er-was enjoying my glory. young man
connected with rich and distin guished
iamliy became established amongst us.
II nave seen another such child ol
Fortune. Consider his youth intelligence
good looks, cheerful disposition and indie
pendent manliness; that with all these
qualities were united the advantages of a
prominent and influential name and vor