The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-04-01
Srlfrf Stugy.
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.
London Society,


.1E London Society.
1t was on the eve of the battle OF Sol.
ferino. Ths French regiments which
had arrived, from Milan during the day,
by long and dusty roads, under broiI.
ing sun, exhausted by fatigue, we're en-
camped on an immense plain, shut in by
a chain OF hills on which lowered the
white houses of the town. Lightning
playing among the leadsn.colored clouds
illuminated at intervals with lurid light
the battle field of The morrow. Nothing
else lit up the camp. No fires were al
|iewed 20 Q measure Of prudence. w-
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 issueof the com.
ing battle. si an sssse
In the middle of small group of'offi-
GERS who talked over the chances OF the
morrow, was Col.-Eugene de Valmont,
who commanded regiment Of light dra.
goons. He had the well-earned reputa
tion Of being one of the m ost splendid
officers 10 his own branch of the service
Although a strict discip.inarian be was
we'll beloved in the regiment BY efai.rs
and men alike, and deservedly 90.
Col. de Valmont appeared to pay but
little attention 10 what was said he
seemed in a@profouhd feverie as be bi,
rather than smoked half-consumed ci-
gar farming suddenly to bis snrgeoL-
major, a veteran with q well-brorzed
face, he said: gA sG 3gGH
"Brizac, do you believe in present..
mentr' sss " .1.
at depends, Colonel. One may have
them, no doubt: but to admit that they
are ever realized IS another matter"
~You look upon them as valuables de.
void Of any prophetic Importance f"e
"Qnite go" ''ss
.Ah! It, is true, as .is said, that all
you doctors are more or less material
lists" After a pause be added: lyon
are right, perhaps, and so much the bet
ter. There are some thoughts which
should be sbanished on the eve, Of Q day
like what tomorrow promises to be.'
So saying he got up and added 81
shall tarn in and get some rest and ad-
wise you all to do the same. In few
hours we shall need all the strength we
can conmsnd" s1ts I,
One by one the group broke off and
there we're LEFT only three off.
cers-ihe major, captain and a sub
lieutenant. ~
What did the Colonel mean by pre-
P asked the younger OF them.
ave know he has no fear about to-mor-
row: yet his manner and his last words,
10 say the least, are not reassuring.
s.Had you been longer in the regiment,
young fellow" replied the Major, "yos
would know that the Colonel periodically
gets sthe blues but We take no notice of
them. They soon pass and he becomes
himself again."
"But what is the cause OF his recui :
ring depression r.
"The cause ?" said the captain why,
all the regiment know the cause"
Except myself. l only Joined thr ee
months ago"
swell, here is Brizac back from bis
rounds. He can tell the story best
The surgeon major being appealed to-.
lay down upon the grass. lit a cigar and
said: i'ses g = 'sg sssa . a,l
an 1884 de almont, appointed lieu
tenant 10 the Chasseurs Antique. which
bad just been raised. landed in Algiers
where was assistant surgeon attached
to the military hospital. Though l was
older than he we soon struck up an ac-'
quaintance that ripened into friendship
which time has not impaired. Eugene
was young, good-looking and a,man Of
manners. He came ot.a dis
tinguished family. and bis friends kept
his purse well illed; 10 short, he could
get money as fast as he could spend it.
sWe servad,three years together when
de Valmont got leave 20 exchange and
return to France. His mother was the
cause OF this, for che had In view for
him q marriage with a-rich Aheiress
Leaving AIgiefs would have been plain
sailing except for Kidding FAREWELL to a
certain lady called La .Sevefins, 0 dan
seuse az the theater In appearance she
was decidedly handsome, of an olive
colored complexion and with raven-black
hair. In her large expressive eyes and
in her firmly cut mouth there was a sig
niticant indication Of determination
which suggested that the, young lady
would be more desirable aaa frieM than
AZ an enemy. She said she was an Ital-
ian, having been born at Rome; but her
parents were Bohemians, who travelled
through all neutrality-suspicious. by
profession. : :
ala Severina had conceived for En-.
gene passion as violent as it was hope
less. When she heard Of his proposed
departure she was wild whentshe learn
ed the motive OF It, she turned demon.
Failing in 4 determined attempt to bsulk
bis plans by atabbing him with . stiletto,
she assured him with her last words that
she would be revenged. De Valmont
laughed at the threat. I,showeyer, deter
mined to keep an eve on the actions of
the young ]ady. In this resolve.a how.
ever, | was foiled. She left Algiers
about a month after, and i never knew
what became Of, her.
.Nesrly fonr years had passed since
returnA We kept up q constant
correspondence, and / learned Of his
marriage and the birth Of one son, whom.
be called, Lucien. He continually press
Cd me 10 exchange and 60 back to
France
a,"At length ! got appointed to cay
airy regiment quartered in Paris and left
Algiers to take on.my new duties. Land
ing at Marseilies put up at the Hotel
where the first names 7 read