The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-12-23

1 iit COilNcIodtlOu ulSieSStd 10 ObifSF
subjects. But all the time he was
speaking or listening, Jasper thought
of the forebodings of evil that had
haunted FIoride. Was this sugges-
ton prompted by the powers of evil,
that now the long g-looked-for hour of
revenge was drawing nigh? How
would thechance presentitself? Would
he have to wait till no one was near,
and push his hated foe overheard into
the Mississippi? The boat was crowd
ed. Little chance for that. Could he
vile the man who was odious to him
into a state room, and there assasinate
him? Too much risk of discovery
Jasper was not yet prepared to give
life for life.
The day passed lingeringly. Night
gloomed heavily, dark and cold. Long
expectation had rendered Jasper excit-
able, almost to madness. His hated foe
had gone to his state room. Should be
follow, and, with a blow from the but
end of his revolver, put an end to sus-
pense? Ugh! any common, vulger
murderer could do that. Something
unique. something terrible, something
mysterious should mark his revenge.
He strobe, unuoticing aught around
him, to the forward part of the boat.
He leaned against bundle of hay,
part of the cargo. The memory of his
past life surged over his brain he
thought of his childhood, of his school
and college days. Then he saw him
self introduced to Floride Palmer; he
remembered how agitated she seemed,
and how nervous he was. AS he
thought of the happy days CT court
ship, the grim man smiled, heremem-
bered each pleasant phrased nothing
/ and each kind look by which he judged
| that she loved him. He remembered
] his avowal of love, and her answer,
not decided, but still encouraging.
/ Then with torture he recollected his
suspicious of his rival, with narrowing
torture he reproduced every doubtful
scene till at last, like trodden snake,
he writhed as he thought of the brawl
and its consequences.
fer this forever!" he muttered in ago
ny. "Revenge-I must have revenge
"Good God or good devil, must suf-
! for all have suffered ~
A pause ensued-a space Of time in
which he even ceased to think. His
brain seemed deadened to external
thought, but not to external impres'
sion.
He heard the uncouth jokes of the
happy deck-passengers, the snatches o.
song, and the melange of story and
| witticism. Far away he heard the
sprightliness of the conversations of the
lady passengers, and the shrill voices
of children. While the steady beat
slide and puff of the engine seemed tt
mark the rythm of the heterogeneou;
floating world of which he formed {
unit.
Absent-mIndedly he drew a match
with which to light his cigar. The
fame fiickered a moment and then dis
appeared. His trembling fingers had
allowed the match to fall. He turned
to leave the spot. To his surprise, he
saw, on looking back. that the hay wa;
on fire. To rush forward and eXtin
guish the flame was his first Impulse
AS if restrained by an unseen hand, he
hesitated then moved quickly away
muttering.
perhaps -perhaps-it is an omen.'
He had scarcely reached the cabin
when the dread cry of Fire" wa;
raised. Fire! fret" rang like thC
echo of doom from all quarters of the
doomed vessel. Soon it seemed as
/ the powers of evil swarmed the steam
er. Men surged and swayed in aimless
endeavors, howIed and blasphemed il
vain importance, struggled with eacf
other for chances of escape that had M
existence. In their panic, all means
used toward their safety were frustrat
ed. They fought, they cursed, they
kicked and struck like beasts; while
as If 10 complete the horror, the mule
broke into the writhing mass, anC
brute and british man were commin
gled in horrible warfare.
'Leap into the water with me.
have found life preserver," cried Jas
per to Ignatius, few minutes after
when the boat was fast becoming
burning hell of scorching flames anC
seething passions,
Hand-in- hand as if they were broth
ers they leaped into the chilly current
In moment and they were on tn
surface, floating past struggling mule
and sinking, despairing swimmer. A
last they are clear Of distractions from
drowning man and dangerous brute
The life preserver is fastened rounC
Jasper's shoulders, while the hand o
Ignatius is placed trustingiy on hi
pretended friends shoulder.
The shore is near. Already Igna'
titus is glad in anticipation.
"Thank God! | shall see my wifi
and child again! ~
''You shall never see wife or chile
more, 1gnatius. She, Floride,. shall
make lovely widow, and shall mar
ry her to curse her."
In moment the eyes of the doomed
man were opened. He saw, as if i
had been written out In full, the whole
history of hate.
.Mercy for her 7 he cried, as he wa