The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-09-30

anybody else to this man whose lie was
a riddle and | had made him the hero of
a mysterious drama. He loved me; at
least with me alone he abandoned his
cutting tone and caustic language and
talked of different subjects with freedom
and sometimes with a grace that was
extraordinary. Since that unhappy
evening the thought that his honor was
soiled and that voluntarily he had not
wiped the stain tormented me inces-
sanity and prevented me from being at
ease with him as of old.
Silvio had too much intelligence and
penetration not to see and to guess the
cause of my conduct. He seemed panied.
Twice at least l thought | remarked in
him a desire to have an explanation
with him, but / avoided it and Silvio
abandoned me. Since then l never saw
him except with comrades and our pri-
vate conversations were never renewed.
The happy inhabitants of the capital,
surrounded by distractions, know moth
ing of many impressions familiar to the
inhabitants of villages and small towns
waiting for post day, forinstance. On
Tuesdays and Fridays the bureau of our
regiment was full of officers. One was
expecting money, another letters, an
other journals. Generally we broke
open the packages on the spot; we told
each other the news and the bureau
presented the most animated appear
ance. Silvio's letters were addressed
to our regiment and he used to come
with us to fetch them. One day he re-
ceived letter which he tore open with
precipitation. As he read it his eyes
shone with extraordinary brilliancy.
Our officers, busy with their letters had
noticed nothing.
Gentlemen" said Silvio, "some
business obliges me to leave immedi-
ately. l shall start tonight; | hope
that you will not refuse to dine with me
for the last time. l count upon you,
too" he continued, turning towards
me. 81 count upon you absolutely"
He then withdrew hurriedly, and,
after having agreed to meet at his
house we all went away to our several
affairs. At the appointed hour went
to Silvio's and found near all the regi-
ment there. Everything belonging to
him had already been packed up. There
remained nothing but the bare walls,
spotted with bullet holes. We sat down
to table. Our host was in good humOr
and he soon communicated it to all the
company. The corks flew rapidly; the
froth mounted in the glasses that were
filled and emptied without interruption,
and we full of tenderness, wished our
host pleasant journey, joy and pros
perity. When we were taking our caps
SilYio babe farewell to each one, but me
he took by the hand and held me back
Just as / was about to go out.
81 want to talk little with you," he
said to me in whisper.
remained.
The others left and we remained
alone, sitting face to face, smoking our
pipes in silence. Silvio seemed thought
full, and there remained on his face no
trace of his convulsive gayety. His
sinister paleness, his ardent eyes, the
long puffs of smoke that issued from his
mouth gave him the air of a demon.
After a few minutes he broke the 81
lence.
50 1t may be-" he said, "that we shall
never see each other again; before part
ing | wished to have an explanation
with you. You may have remarked that
care little about the opinion of the in
different; but l love you and | should
feel panied to leave you with an unfa-
vorable opinion of me-"
He interrupted himself to shake the
ashes out of his pipe. Remained silent
with my eyes cast down.
cit may have appeared strange to
you," he continued, THAT l did not
demand complete satisfaction from that
drunken mailman R. You will adj
NIT that, having the choice of arms,
had his life in my hands and that had
no great risks to run. might call my
moderation generosity, but l do not
wish to lie. If had been able to ad-
ministers correction to R without
risking my life, without risking it in
any way, he would not have got off so
easily"
Hooked at Silvio with surprise. Such
an avowal troubled me to the last de-
gree. He continued:
Well, unfortunately, Ihave not the
right to expose myself to death. Six
years ago received blow and my en-
envy is still living"
Ny curiosity was excited.
- You did not fight with him?'
asked. % Some special circumstance
prevented you from catching him?"
a fought with him." replied Silvio,
land here is souvenir of our meet
ing"
He rose and took out of box red
cloth cap, with gold band and tassel.
He placed it on his head. 1t was pierced
with bullet-hole an inch above the
forehead.
{" You know" said Silvio, I" that 1
served in the hussar regiment ut -.
You know my character. l am in the |
habit of dominating; but in my youth |
it was furious passion with me. In |
my time the noisy men were a la mode. |
1 was the first noisy man in the regi-
ment Men used to boast of their drink |
ing feats. 1 have drank the famous
b under the table. Every day there
were duelS in our regiment. Every day |
played my part as second or principal.
My comrades venerated me and our SUI
perior officers, who were constantly be-
ing changed, looked upon me as a
scourge, of which they could not get rid.
As for me, was following my career
TRANQUILITY. orrather tumultuously, when
a rich young man of distinguished fam
lily was sent to our regiment. / will not |
mention his name. Never was there a
man gifted with more insolent happi-
ness. Imagine to yourself youth, in
telligence, handsome face, bravery,
careless of danger, fine name, as much
money as he wished and which he could
not lose; and now imagine what an eff
feet he must have produced among us.
Nv domination was shaken. At first.