The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-04-30
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.

ferino. The French regiments, whicl
had arrived from Milan during the day
by long and dusty roads, under broil
ing sun, exhausted by fatigue, were en-
camped on an immense plain, shut in b,
a chain Of hills, on which lowered tn,
white houses Of the town. Lightning
playing among the leaden-colored clouds
illumined mt intervals with lurid ligh
the battlefield Of the morrow. Nothing
else llt up the camp. No fires were
allowed, as n measure Of prudence.
In the middle Of small group Of Off.
GERS, who talked over the chances Of TO.
morrow, was Colonel Eugene De Val
mont, who commanded a regiment Of
light dragons. He had the well-earned
reputation Of being one Of the most
splendid officers in his own branch Of
the service. Although n strict disci
plinarian, he was beloved in the regi-
ment by officers and men alike, and
dcseryedly so.
Col. De Valmont appeared to pay but
little attention TO what was said. He
seemed in profound reyerie, as be bit.
rather than smoked, half consumed
cigar. Turning suddenly to his surgeon
major, a veteran with a well brouzed
face, he said:
"Brsac, do you believe in present.
ments?'
at depends, Colonel. One may have
them, 10 doubt; but to admit that they
are ever realized is another matter"
"You look upon them as yalucless,
devoid Of any prophetic importance q
"Quite so.
"Ah 1t is true, MS il said, that all
yon doctors are more or less material
lists" After a pause, he added: lyon
are right, perhaps, and so much the bet
ter. There are some thoughts which
should be banished on the eve Of day
like what tomorrow promises 10 be-"
so saying he got up and added: 81
shall turn IN and get some rest and nd
wise you all 10 do the same. In a few
hours VIC shall need all the strength We
can command"
One by one the group broke on and
presently there was left only three off.
cers-the major, n captain ana sub.
lieutenant.
"What did the Colonel mean by pre-.
Bentlments2" asked the younger Of
them. 1--WE know he has no fear about
tomorrow; yet his manner and his last
words, to say the least, are not rcassur-
ing"
Had you been longer in the regi.
ment, young fellow" replied the Major,
you would know that the Colonel peri.
odically gets the blues but we take no
notice of them. They soon pass, and
he becomes himself again.
"But what il the cause Of his recnr.
ring depressiOn?"
"The causc?" said the Captain.
"Why, all tho regiment know the
cause"
Except myself. I only joined three
months ago"
"Well, here is Brisac bnck from his
rounds. He can tell tho story best"
The Surgoon-Maior being appealed
to, lay down upon the grass, lit cigar,
and said:
'1n 1884, De Vnlmont, appointed lien
tenant IN the Chasseurs d'Airique which
Ind just been raised, landed IN Algers,
where ! was assistant surgeon attached
to the military hospital. Though was
older than ho, We soon struck up an nc.
qualntance that ripcncd into friendship.
which time has not impaired. Eugene
was young, good looking and man of
fascinating manners. He came of dis.
tlnguished family, and his friends kept
his purse well filled; in short he could
get money as fast as he wished 10
spend it.
I'VE 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 rich heir.
ess Leaving Algiers would have been
all plain smiling except for bidding fare.
well ton certain lady called La Soyerina,
danseuso ut tho theatre. In appear.
Rnce she was decidedly handsome, of an
olive-colorcd complexion aud with
rnvcn-black hair. In her large express.
i've eyes aud in her iirmly-cut mouth
there was II significant indication of de.
termination which suggested that the
young lady would he more desirable nsn
friend than M IN enemy. She said she
wns an Italian, having been born nj
Rome; but her parents were Bohemians,
rope-danccrs by profession.
NEARLY four years had passcd sine,
Eugene's return. We kept up n con
slant correspondence, aud | learned OF
his marriage aud tho birth of ono son
whom he called Luclcn. He continually
pressed me to exchange and go back to
France.
AT length | got appointed to a cav
ilry regiment qnartered in Paris, and lett
Algicrs to take on my new duties.
Landing Mt Marseillcs, put up at the
Botel Castellane, whore 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 scpara-
uon. Eugene introduced me to his
wlie--a lady as lovely ns she was charm
lng-and showed me with pride his son
IA fine chubby child, with curly hair,
and the splendid blue eyes OF its mother.
He simply worshiped this boy-poor
fellow land his life and soul seemed
wrapped up in its being and existence.
And now, as to the sad sequel to my
ale.
"De Valmont was on leave, and at his
Wnes ueslre they were about to visit
Italy. Not to fatigue the child their
route was mapped out in short stages,
They were resting two days at Mar
settles before going to Genoa by La
Corniche, 80 decided to stay and sec
them of.
"In the afternoon OF my arrival, MS
the weather was glorious, little Lucien
was sent with his nurse down to the son.
IN that magnificent beach were the
plendid palace of Prado stands.
Two hours after this nurse returned +
lone, looking like mad woman The 4
yes were starting out of her head and, i
obbing and crying, she threw herself I
t the Countesss feet, and said she had h
ost the child. She and her charge o
we're playing on the beach, where they X
we're attracted by the performance OF Ia
ONE aorobats. A small crowd had as.