Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-01-08

happiness is dearer - me than my
own, and since you find that 1t would J
be disturbed by your marrying me
am resigned 20 my fate"
The PARMA was overloyed and
him heartily for this friend
ship, aud vet his ready surrender, the
ease with which he was getting recon
ciled 10 her refusal nettled her.
However, he did not seem as light
hearted as he was affecting to be, and
the perception CT il was a source OF
mixed exultation and commiseration
20 her. He was uncommonly elusive
and sentimental. and as IL by way of
bidding her melancholy farewell he
launched out, describing his past, she
listening TO his disconsolate accents
with heart-wrioging interest.
Il know it Is foolish for me TO OBJ |
trudo my personal "reminiscences upon |
you. Why should you be bored with |
the humdrum details of the life of
man who is perfect stranger TO you.
Yet cannot help speaking Of 1t at
this minute. fefl sheepish. like a
schoolboy, but il somehow relieves my
overburdened heart You will excuse
me"
She was burning to offer some word
OK encouragement. TO assure him OF
her profound respect and friendship,
and OF her interest In everything he
hal 10 say, bat her tongue seemed
grown fast TO her palate and she could
not utter syllable.
1T was many years ago that was
torn from my dear native soil and
/ from a splendid career, he proceeded,
I egged on by the very taciturnity of
/ his interlocutor. Il was a young fell
/ low and an officer in the army then,
with most promising future before
me. II was during the Polish insur-
rection of the early sixties. My regi-
ment was stationed az the Government
city of y"
The parma gave a start. and volley
Of questions trembled on the tip of her
tongue. but she somehow could not
bring herself TO interrupt him.
Il had been recently graduated
from the military school, and that was
my first commission. " he went on. Il
had many friends in the regiment,
and among them young Polish Off
Ger named Staukevitch.
Parma Roushetzka remained petri-
fed. After a while she made out 20
inquire: "Siaukevitch, did you sayT
why. have you heard Of him OF
some Of his family" Smirnoh asked,
eagerly.
.No, I an simply interested IL
= what you are relating. Proceed
r please"
5 well. he was the most delightful
a fellow In the ~e3le lot Of rs, but h'
I did not know now 10 take care OF him
{ self, and paid bis life for it. poor boy
k His heart was with the insurgents
q and knew il and begged him 10 b
guarded, but he was too much Of
d patriot 20 allow the instinct OF self
4 preservation 10 get the better OF III
Il revolutionary sympathies. One da
8 when the Cossacks had looted tn
:, house Of n Polish nobleman aud takei
$ the owner and his family prisoner
my friend gave loud utterances 10 Ia
l. overbrimming feelings IN the Officer
Club. cursing the Government an
/, vowing vengeance.
10 You must have heard how stri'
things were in those days. The cit
x OF " was in state Of siege, ma
ID tial law prevailed, and the most peac
" full citizens were afraid of their ON
a, shadows. Well, poor dear StaukevitC
10 was court-martialled and sentenced
be shot within twenty-fOur hours by
a line of soldiers from the very compan
10 of which he had been In comman,
And who was 20 take charge OF Il
I'd shooting and utter the fatal word
the soldiers but i. his best friend, w
r was ready 10 die for him.
Smirnoh said il with grim sort
ne composure, and then broke OF abrupt
:" and fell into a muse.
be 'sWell?" the widow demanded, in
us strange voice, which he mistook for
rs mere mark OF interest IN thrill
AL story.
"Well," he resumed, 81 did not,
Pr. course, utter the terrible word, but
IS the very moment was 10 do so 1 (
on the ground in feigned swoon.
70. place was instantly taken by anoth
=, officer aud ! was since then brand
- as coward, and had no choice but
- resign my commission and 10 beco
g the rolling stone that 1 have been e.
H. since"
"a He weat on narrating some OF
an subsequent experiences in forei
49, &I1 ~.-,Tnxv did not Ia