The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-04-22
THE COLLEGE FRIEND.

DGOln serious piece OIL DuSlueSS, WAS
drawing the first puffs of a cigarette,
when his servant entered:
Your Exeellency, there is a man
downstairs who wishes to speak to
you"
What does he want?"
He will only tell it to you"
What is his name?"
He will not tell it."
Send him away, thenm
He won't 60 away?"
''What! he won't go away?"
He says that he is friend of your
Excellency's childhood, and that your
Excellency would be very sorry if de-
prived of the pleasure of seeing him."
That is very strange! Well, show
him up"
Two minutes passed, then the door
re-opened, and man appeared on the
threshold. Senator Varadine, still
standing near his table, looked at him,
but without recognition. The stranger
came straight to him, with rapid steps.
and before he could defend himself
folded him i'll his arms.
My dear friend!' cried he. How
happy | am to see thee! And how
hast thou been since l last had the
pleasure? Well, hope?"
The Senator extracted himself with
difficulty.
Pardon me-" he said coldly, "are
you quite sure that l am so much your
friend?n
'What! Still doubtingP Am I so
changed, my God! since we studied
law together at the lycee?"
''At the lycee?"
Certainly! Come, I see 1 must tell
thee my name. had hoped that thou
wouldst have found it alone; but thy
memory. alas! is not as faithful as
mine. Vassili Sarkof! Dost thou know
me now?n
Vassili Sarkof? Yes, Senator Vara-
dine remembered that name. But
Heavens! when you have not seen
man for twenty-five years it is per-
missible not to recognize him at the
first glance.
Excuse me-" he said with an apollo
getic smile, 'but it was so long ago. I
acknowledge 1 had somewhat forgot
ten you"
''Ingrate!" answered the stranger,
with an accent of tender reproach.
Still, we spent together some of the
pleasant moments of youthr'
He had seated himself near the ia
bic, familiarly, like man who feels
at home, and continued to speak with
amiable sportiveness. evoking remem-
brances, recalling names, giving dates.
He could doubt no longer; it was his
old comrade, Vassili Sarkof, that Sen
ator Varadine had before him.
What loquaci'y, inexhaustible! The
visitor talked on and on without stop
or rest, hardly giving his resigned
listener time to put in monosyllable
now and then. A brilliant converse
tionalist, withal, touching on all sub
iects with judicious and satirical ease
of a philosopher and a humorist.
Amused at first by the running fire of
his fancy Senator Varadine, however,
at the end of half hour was reduced
to asking himself the very natural
question: "Why the d. after twen-
| ty-fve years of separation did this ex-
cellent Vassili Sarkof experience the
| imperious desire to come to my study
on the stroke of half-past 5 o'clock to
send off lot of fireworks, of which
still await the bouquet" And follow
ing the logic of his inmost thoughts
| the honorable Senator was arriving at
the conclusion that the bouquet might
perhaps be a request for 500 rubles,
when the servant reappeared.
His Excellency is served"
Constantine Varadine cast CRATE
full glance toward the clock.
six o'clock; so it is, said he. You
will excuse me, my dear Sarkof, but
the dinner is served and my wife must
be waiting for me. 1 hope to have
the pleasure of seeing you again"
Constantine, said Vassili, lit is
not right; thou art cold toward me. "
"OoldP That is what my dinner
will be"
1--WE will eat it with pleasure, never
theless."
"Who? We?"
why, thou and I, and thy wife also,
that goes without saying"
"You invite yourself?"
II would not be so indiscreet; thou
invitest me-"
DO you think SOP"
II am sure of it,
And nonchalantly Vassili Sarkot
drew a revolver from his pocket and
laid it on the table.
Constantine Varadine made an in
stinctive movement and sat up straight
in his armchair.
MY dear friend" continued Vassili,
playing carelessly with his weapon, 81
am so happy to see thee again after
such a long separation that l cannot
make up my mind to leave thee Sc
soon. Besides, the interest take il
three is so strong that it does not con
fine itself to thy person. Thus have
an express, peremptory desire to know
thy people, thy wife, thy children, i
thou hast any; in fact, all thy family
The opportunity is good. Thou ar
about to dine, and the intimacy of
good meal is conducive to friendly eff
fusions. l know thee, Constantine
thou art too good-hearted to refuse MI
this satisfaction"
Constantine Varadine's glance wen
around the room, he was alone witt
his strange visitor, who continued t.
caress the butt of his revolver.
Vaguely he had the idea that if h
refused, before he could call or ring h
would be dead man. He made u
his mind at once.
1T is understood, dear friend" sal
he. with his most gracious smile; ''yo
will dine with us"
Vassili rose and returned the re
volver to his pocket.
wilt thou be altogether amiableP