The St. Johns herald., 1897-03-06
< HIS REVENGE.



 was wholly engrossed by his work Ana
 the soldier, though fascinated TOT time, was gradually becoming acc''s- toned to the others presence Wnen' as he passed the man for the twehtie'H time, a few words falling from the con-
 vict in a whispered undertone caliseu his heart to give one great startied
 bound and set all his nerves in more painful quiver than ever.
 Say, old chap"
 But Private Smith passed on mechan- ically, after faltering a moment under the shock. Every sense was on the alert with excitement as he turned and came back toward the convict, his heari beating so fast that ne felt near 1o suffocation. He was waiting with ! every sense in his body listening for the man to speak again.
 "A bit of tobacco, old chap, will your ! Again Private Smith passed on. This commonplace request almost caused him to burst out into loud hysterical laugh. It was so foolish to get into such a state of serious excitement over the presence of a ruffian whose only de sire was a ''bit of tobacco" And he continued upon his march with stead fer and more confident tread.
 But when, after again pacing for
 ward, he once more came back towards his sentry-box, his mood was changed. A cloud was upon his face, and his brows were knit in a vain endeavor to recall some memory from the locked up places within his mind. A repetition of the request had fallen upon his ears; | but the ring of the mans voice was 1 louder than it had been, and stirred | Private Smith strangely. He stood in his box gazing upon the stopping con- vict and striving to remember where he had heard such voice before. But he ransacked his mind in vain; at last dismissing his effort 10 remember with a rueful reflection that perchance the fellow was some old college chum who had fallen upon evil days, or may be some old cOmrade In arms who had come to grief. He inclined most to the latter inpr ession, and, Himself know Ai3 NOlA 'AiN . V lODoNNO oAAA bAlS wretchedness of a solitary man with out it, his sympathies went keenly out to the poor deviF VI hO, but for the Interpretation of merciful Providence, might easily have Deeu a felon-comrade with himself. Though we'll knowing also that he was running considerable risk by giving the precious weed to th2 0nnui0f ha TacnlUo6 n OrfUn him iI1cf o little for the old acquaintance sake which the mans voice vaguely sug- gested.
 It happened that he had in his pocket 8 cake of tobacco purchased for 8 trihe when tue Ravager was on the West In dian station This he cut in two piece. ause.s..-z s- -.. -.. ~o ,... tH- "1uv.-. vas watching him furtively. When he resumed his limited parade he held one of these pieces iu his left hand and. swerving so as to pass nearer to the man, he loosened his hold of it and 1t fell at the convict's feet.
 The man clutched at it with almost savage swiftneSS, and Private Smith kept upon his way, cOngratulating him. self on having done kindly thing and on escaping detection.
 But the sight of the tobacco and the | odor of 1t excited with the convict a | furious covetOusness. He had seen | Private Smith return the second piece | to his pocket, and he desired it with all | the greed that was in his nature. Thar second piece he would have.
 Private Smith was expecting a nut tered word of thanks; but that was not | what came when he once more strode l past the recipient of his precious gift. The convict shifted his position, ever so slightly, yet sufficient to enable him to glance over his shoulder with an ugly | scowl at the approaching soldier.
 "That other piece" he demanded. fiercely, ''or I'll split on you, by heav- enr'
 Private Smith saw his face clearly | for the first time; and at the sight his | heart stood still for an instant and | then commenced beating at madly fu- rious and painful speed. A flash of in- tenSest hatred ran through his blood. | for there was no longer any mystery about the mans identity; and as he | moved out of hearing of that now we'll | remembered voice he cursed himself | with the most savage fury for the folly | which had once more placed him in the | power of Louis Vaudois.
 His first belief was that, having rec ogniZed him, Louis Vaudois had done l this thing with the mere desire to bring | misfortune down upon him. When, | however, he presently recalled how al- tered tn personal appearance he had | become since that day when last he hao seen Louis Naulo.S this fa"r cleared away wing only black hate wi-lIE . his soul. So, he decided, the giving of | the second piece would satisfy his once friend and enemy. He had nothing to fear or to lose beyond that. But he was reluctant to do this; it maddened l him to think VaudOis, under even such conditions, was able to overreach and | compel him to an act he would of his own will leave undOne.
 And yet there was apparently no other course before him than to accede to the ruffian's demands. He had ar rived at this conclusion, and with a sav- age reluctance was preparing to sub- nit to the inevitable when a thought flashed through his mind and set his pulses leaping with a sudden hope of retaliation. Would Louis Vaudois be fool enough to fall into the trap? That