The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1884-04-18
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.

TERRIBLE KEW ENNE.
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 broiiing 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 a 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. conYersed in low
tone and discussed the probable issue
OF the coming battle.
In the middle of a small group OF
officers, who talked over the chances of
the morrow. was Colonel Eugene de
Nalmont, who commanded 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 a strict disci-
plinarian. he was beloved in the regi-
ment by officers and men alike, and
deservedly so.
Colonel de Nalmont appeared TO pay
but little attention to what was said.
He seemed in proud reTerie, Is he
bit, rather than smoked. half con-
sumed cigar. Turning suddenly to his
Surgeon Major, . veteran with we'll
bronzed face. he said
'.Brisac, do YOU believe in present.
menfs?'
ut 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"
s.Quite so.
'.Ahi 1t is true, as IS said. that all
YOU doctors are more OF less material
lists" 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 a day
like what tomorrow promises to be. "
So saying he got up and added: Il
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 OIL
cers-the Major, Captain, and a
sub-Lieutenant
'.What did the Colonel mean by pre-
sentiments?n asked the younger Of
them ''We 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-
ment, young fellow. replied the Major,
-.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
cause
Except myself only joined tire,
months ago
.'WeH, here is Brisac back from hi
rounds. tie can tell the story best
The Surgeon Major being appeale,
to, lay down upon the grass, lit cigar
and said:
In 1884, De Valmont, appointer
Lieutenant in the Chasseurs d Antique
which had Just been raised. landed i
Algiers. where l was assistant surgeon
attached to the military hospital
Though | was older than he, we 500
struck up an acquaintance that ripene
into friendship, which time has not in
paired. Eugene was young, goo
looking ana man of fascinating mar
ners he came of distinguished fan
ilv, and his friends kept his purse We
filled; in short he could get money
fast as he wished to spend it.
I'VE served three years togethe
when De Nalmont got leave to exchan:
and return 10 France. His mother w
the cause of this, for she had in vie
for him a marriage with rich heires
Leaving Algiers would have been ;
plain sailing except for bidding far
well to a certain lady called La SIEVE
ina. danseuse al the theater. In a
pearance she waS-iecidedly handson
of an olive-colored complexion and wi
raven black hair. In her large c
pressiye eyes and in her firmly c
mouth there was a significant indie
ton of determination which suggest
that the Young lady would be more
sirable as a friend than as an enen
She said she was an Italian, havI
been born at Rome; but her parel
were Bohemians, who travelled throu
all countries rope dancers by prof
sion.
La Severina had conceived
Eugene passion as violent as 1t v
hopeless. When she heard of his p
posed departure she was wild; when
lea ned the motive of it. she turned
demon. Failing in determined
tempt to baulk his plans by stabbi
him with stiletto. she assured h
with her last words that she would
revenged. De Nalmont laughed at
threat. /. however. determined to k
an eve on the actions Of the young La
In this resolve, however. | was toll
She left Algiers about month af!
and never knew what became OF h
:. Nearly four years had passed ST
Eugene's return We kept up
constant correspondence. and learr
OF bis marriage and the birth OF I
son, wLo.a l.. ca..cd Luc.cl. lie c
tinually pressed me TO exchange and
back to France.
AT length l got appointed ta
cavalry regiment quartered IN "a