The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-17
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.

1t was on the eve of the battle OF
Solferino. The French regiments,
which had arrived from Milan during
the day, by long and dusty roads, under
a broiling sun. exhausted by fatigue,
were encamped on an immense plain,
shut in by chain of hills, on which
lowered the white houses of the town.
Lightning. playing among the leaden-
colored clouds, Illuminated at intervals
with lurid light the battlefield of the
morrow. Nothing else lit up the camp.
No fires were allowed, as measure of
prudence.
All were not asleep. however. Be-
sides the outpoSts and pickets. many in
camp were wide awake. Here and
there groups of men, lying on the grass
around their tents, conVerSed in low
tone and discussed the probable issue
of the coming battle.
In the middle of small group of
officers, who talked over the chances of
the morrow. was Colonel Eugene de
Valmont, who commanded a regiment
of light dragons. He had the we'll
earned reputation of being one of the
most splendid officers in his own branch
of the service. Although strict disci-
plinarian, he was beloved in the regi-
ment by officers and men alike, and
deservedly so.
Colonel de Valmont appeared TO pay
but little attention to what was said.
He seemed in a proud reverie, as he
bit, rather than smoked, half con-
sumed cigar Turning suddenly to his
Mns
bronzed face, he said:
''Brisac, do you believe in PRESENT.
mentsP'
1T depends. Colonel. One may have
them, no doubt; but to admit that they
are ever realized is another matter"
''YOu look upon them as valueless.
devoid of any prophetic importance?"
"Quite So"
''Ah! 1t is true, as is said, that all
you doctors are more or less material
lists" After a pause, he added: ''You
are right, perhaps, and so much the
better. There are some thoughts which
should be banished on the eve of day
like what tomorrow promises to be-"
So saying he got up and added: '1
shall turn in and get some rest and adj
wise you all to do the same. In few
hours we shall need all the strength we
can command.
One by one the group broke off and
presently there was left only three Off
-cers-the Major, Captain, and a
,sub-Lieutenant.
''What did the Colonel mean by pre-
sentiments?" asked the younger of
them. ''AVe know he has no fear about
tomorrow; vet his manner and his last
words, to say the least, are not reassur-
ing"
''Had you been longer in the regi-
.nent, young fellow" replied the Major,
t'you would know that the Colonel Pc
riodically gets the blues;' but we take
no notice of them. They soon pass, and
he becomes himself again
-'But what is the cause of his recur-
ring depression"
''rhe cause?" said the Captain.
--Why, all the regiment know the
scanse."
Except myself. only joined three
months ago."
-'Weil. here is BriSac back from his
rounds. He can tell the story best"
The Surgeon-Major being appealed
TO. lay down upon the grass, lit a cigar,
and said:
-'.In 1884, De Valmont, appointed
Lieutenant in the Chasseurs d'Afrique,
which had Just been raised, landed in
Algiers, where was assistant surgeon
attached to the military hospital.
Though was older than he, we soon
struck up an acquaintance that ripened
into friendship, which time has not i'm
paired. Eugene was young, good
looking ana a man of fascinating man
ners. He came of distinguished fam
ily, and his friends kept his purse well
filed; in short he could get money as
fast as he wished to spend it.
1--WE served three years together,
when De Valmont got leave to exchange
and return to France. His mother was
the cause of this, for she had in view
for him marriage with a rich heiress.
Leaving AlgierS would have been all
plan sailing except for bidding fare
well TO certain lady called La Sever
ma, danseuse at the theater. In ap-
pearance she was decidedly handsome,
of an olive-colored complexion and with
raven black hair. In her large ex-
pressive eyes and in her firmly cut
mouth there was q significant indica-
ton of determination which suggested
that the young lady would be more de-
slrable as friend than as an enemy.
She said she was an Italian, having
Seen born at Rome; but her parents
were Bohemians. who travelled through
all countries s-rope-dancers by profes-
sion.
La Severina had conceived for
Eugene passion as violent as it was
hopeless. When she heard of his pro-
posed departure she was wild; when she
fearned the motive of it, she turned
demon. Failing in a determined at
tempt to baulk his plans by stabbing
HIM with stiletto, she assured him
with her last words that she would be
rerenged. De Valmont laughed at the
threat l. however, determined to keep
IN eye on the actions of the Young lady.
In this resolve. however. I was foiled.
She left Algiers about a month after.
and never knew what became of her.
g t' NEARLY four years had passed since
Eugene's return. We kept up
constant correspondents, and learned