The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-05-03
Select gtorp.
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.
London Society.

IL was on the eve OI IHe DatIle vi SOlle
rino. The French regiments, which hat
arrived from MILAN during the day, b.
long and dusty roads, under broiling sun
exhausted by fatigue, were encamped on al
immense plain, shut in by chain of hills
on which lowered the white houses of tn
town. lightning, playing among the leader
colored clouds, illumined at intervals witt
lurid light the battlefield of the morrow
Nothing else lit up the camp. No fire
were allowed, as a measure of prudence.
All were not asleep, however. Beside
the outposts and pickets, many in caml
were wide awake. Here and there groups
of men, lying on the grass around thei
tents, conversed in low tone and discussed
the probable issue of the coming battle.
In the middle of a small group of off
GERS, who talked over the chances of th'
morrow, was Col Eugene de Valmont
who commanded regiment of light dra
gocns. He had the well earned reputation
Of being one of the most splendid officers
in his own branch of the service. Al
though strict disciplinarian, he was be
loved in the regiment by officers and mel
alike, and deservedly so.
Col de Valmont appeared to pay but
little attention to what was said. He
seemed in a profound reverie, AS he bit, rather
than smoked, half consumed cigar
Turning suddenly to his urgeon-major, &
veteran with we'll bronzed face, he said:
''Brisac, do you believe in presentiments"
"It 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 importanceT
"Quite so.
"Ah! 1t is true, as is said, that all you
doctors are more or less materialists.
After 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: Il
shall turn in and get some rest and advise
you all to do the same. In a few hours we
shall need all the strength we can CON-
mand,"
One by one the group broke off and
presently there was left only three officers
the major, captain and sub-lieuten-
ant
"What did the Colonel mean by PRESENT.
ments p asked the younger of them.
''We know he has no fear about to-mOr-
row; vet his manner and his last words, to
say the least, are not reassuring.
"Had you been long In the regiment,
young fellow replied the Major, ''you
would know that the Colonel periodically
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 recurring
depression ?"
''The cause?" said the Captain. "Why,
all the regiment know the cause"
Except myself. l only joined three
months ago"
"Wel, here is Brisap hack 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 lieu
tenant in the Chasseurs dAfrique, which
had Just been raised, landed in Algiers,
where I was assistant-surgeon attached to
the military hospital. Though 1 was older
than he, we soon struck up an acquaintance
that ripened into friendship, which time has
not impaired Eugene was young, good
looking and man of fascinating manners.
He came of distinguished family, and his
friends kept his purse well filled; 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 re-
turn to France. His mother was the cause
of this, for she had in view for him mar
riage with rich heiress. Leaving Afgiers
would have been all plain sailing except for
bidding farewell to a certain lady called
La Seyerina, a danseuse at the theatre, In
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
significant indication of determination
which suggested that the young lady would
be more desirable as friend than as an en-
envy. She said she was an italian, having
been born at Rome but her parents were
Bohemians, who travelled through all coun-
tries-rope-dancers by profession.
''La Severina had conceived for Eugene
passion as violent as it was hopeless,
When she heard of his proposed departure
she was wild when she learned the motive
of it, she turned demon, Failing in a
determined attempt to baulk his plans by
stabbing him with a stiletto, she assured
him with her last words that she would be
revenged De Valmont laughed at the
threat. I, however, determined to keep an
eve on the actions of the young lady. In
this resolve, however, [ was foiled. She
left Algiers about month after, and |
never knew what became of her,
''Nearly four years had passed since
Eugene's return. We kept up constant
correspondence, and | learned Of his mar
riage and the birth of one son, whom he
called Lucien. He continually pressed me
to exchange and go back to France.
"At length got appointed to cavalry
regiment quartered in Paris, and left Al.
giers to take on my new duties. Landing
at Marseilles, l put up at the Hotel Castel-
lane, where the first names [ read in the
list of arrivals were those of the Count and
Countess de Valmont. We met with JOY
after our long separation. Eugene intro
duced me to his wife-a lady as lovely as
she was charming showed me with
pride his son-a fine chubby child, with
curly hair, and the splendid blue eyes Of
its mother. He simply worshipped this
boy-poor fellow land his life and soul
seemed wrapped up in its being and exis
tence. And now, as to the sad sequel tc
my tale.
"De Valmont was on leave, and at his
wife's desire they were about to visit Italy
Not to fatigue the child their route wa
mapped out in short stages, They were
resting two days at Marseilles before going tt
Genoa by La Corniche, SO I decided to STAY