The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-06-14
+. 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
u 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 a 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 well
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 Valmont appeared to pay
but little attention to what was said
He seemed in proud reverie, as he
bit, rather than smoked, a half con-
sumed cigar. Turning suddenly to his
Surgeon Major, q veteran with q we'll
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 natter
You look upon them as valueless,
devoid of any prophetic importance"
''Quitc so.
''Ah. 1t is true, as is said, that all
YOU doctors are more or less material
ists.' 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: II
Shall turn in and get some rest AMI 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,
ccrs--the Major, a Captain. and a
sub-Lieutenant.
What did the Colonel mean by pre-
sentimentsPn 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
riodieally 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?'
1.-THE cause?" said the Captain.
"Why,. all the regiment know the
Cause
Except myself. l only joined three
months ago.
''Well, here is Brisac back from his
rounds. He can tell the story best"
The Surgeon-M Major being appealed
to, lay down upon the grass, lit cigar,
and said:
g In 1884, De Valmont, appointed
Lieutenant IL. 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
snto friendship. which time has not i'm
xx-aa 4
looking and man of fascinating man.
ners. He came of distinguished fam
ilv, 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 return to France. His mother was
the cause of this, for she had in view
for him a marriage with rich heiress.
Leaving Algiers would have been all
plain sailing except for bidding fare
we'll toa certain lady called La Sever
ina, a danseuse ut the theater In APP
pearancc she was decidedly handsome.
of an oliye-colored complexion and with
raven black hair. In her large ex-
pressiyc eyes and in her firmly cut
mouth there was a significant iEdica-
lion of determination which suggested
that the young lady would be more de-
sirablc as . friend than as an enemy
She said she was an Italian, having
been born at Rome; but her parents
were Bohemians, who Travelled through
all countries -rope-dancers by profess
sion.
:. La Severina had coDceivA for
Eugene passion as violent as it was