Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-12-09
TOTHEBITTEREND

Our regiment was encamped in the
squalid, obscur, village of Yalins,
close to the frontier of Austria. Break
fast was over. and we officers were
.alking and laughing before the serious
work of the day. A little way off,
apart from the others. sat Lieutenant
PLATED, modify watching us. This was
a tall, strongly built man, with sal.
low face and restless eyes, whose cold
character repealed friendship without
inspiring respect. We neither feared
nor loved him; we were simply indif.
ferent.
by the bye" said he. suddenly turn.
ing toward one of his neighbors. can
you tell me what the colonel was dis.
cussing with you this morning."
"A new officer is coming in place of
our present captain, who goes else.
where"
Did you hear his name?"
"Broc. He was formerly a lieuten.
ant in the Guards"
Indeed" exclaimed PLATED. rs that
the officer who is engaged to Mile. LII.
Gle, of the chateau yonder?"
yes. was not aware that you
knew him.. He only arrived yesterday,
and was presented to him at the
colonel's house. He Is anxious to
make your acquaintance. gentlemen,
and I have accordingly invited him to
come over at once. And that reminds
me, lieutenant" he continued. address.
ing me, that you and he were In the
same regiment some five years ago."
ut Is true" | answered.; II remem.
Der him well. He was then a brave,
handsome youth, of rather fiery tenn
per. but a general favorite for all
that"
PLATED broke in upon me with con
temptuous smile.
AHA" said he. "your friend will be
welcome: but he must be careful oil
that fiery temper, or shall be obliged
to cool IT,"
A silence ensued, which was broker
by an orderly announcing:
Captain Broc."
The captain himself stood In tn,
doorway. and bowed to the company
Slim, slight, fair.complexioned, with {
ccuntenance open as summer day. h,
looked the very ideal Of a cavalry OF
ficer.
Gentlemen" said he, advancing. "
am proud and happy to have joine,
your regiment" He bowed again, and
seeing me. held out his hand. What
you, lieutenant! You have not forgot
ten me, I hope?"
AS he smilingly uttered these words
PLATED stalked slowly up to him.
II am told you practice shooting
pistol shooting, too?" said he. in sue
strange voice that we stared at hir
in establishment.
1T is my custom for an hour ever
morning." the captain answered CURLY
after slight pause.
| You must be very fond of tina
amusement" returned the other, wit
perceptible sneer. I'm my opinio
such shooting is only another way {
wasting time"
Captain Broc seemed even pale
than usual; but he quietly replied:
| 81 think, sir, that you are wrong
counting 1t as lost time to learn I
shoot with a pistol; in garrison III
an imprudent word often leads to
hostile meeting, unless the knowleds
that one is good shot inspires respe,
among indiscreet persons who persii
In asking stupid questions"
Surely that Is no reason. captain
In duels, as In everything else, som
thing should be left to chance. wi
try to make my explanation clea
Every one knows there are certai
players who. while shuffling the pacl
adroitly abstract the winning car
Now, see no difference between Ii
man who robs his neighbor of his moi
ey and the man who robs him of h
life."
Enough, sir" said Broc. "Yo,
speech Is an impertinence, and, Z,
my part" turning to me, II must b.
my friend Lieutenant Victor to tern
nate the affair with you In the only 4
ting way"
$50 be It," rejoined PLATED. "Ho,
ever, since you practice shooting e
cry day, and ! do not. I shall clai
the right to equalize the chances. tt
lieutenant and I will settle details"
He bowed and went out.
Not q word had been spoken by al
one during this alteration, but
soon as PLATED disappeared, Major CT
ment. an old officer. appealed to us a
I'VE can not let them nght, gent
men, said he.
The captain touched him gently {
the arm.
Il am C newcomer, remember. m
?or-none OF you know me, and 1t
Impossible for me to let this QUAR-
pass. do not know what ha'
. done to annoy the sub.lieutenant, b
u is evident he has a grudge again
me-.
The truth Is, he is an admirer,
say the least, OF Mile. Lucie. JET