Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-02-06
" HIS REVENGE.


was wholly engrossed by his work. And
the soldier, though fascinated for q
time. was gradually becoming accus-
toned to the others presence when. AZ
he passed the man for the twentieth
time, few words falling from the con.
vict In whispered undertone caused
bis heart to give one great startled
bound and set ali his nerves In more
painful culver than ever.
Say, old chap"
But Private Smith passed on mechau-
ically, after faltering moment un,ier
the shock. Every sense was on tie
alert with excitement as he turned and
came back toward the convict, bis
heart beating 10 fast that he felt near
to 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 a loud hysterical
laugh. II was 10 foolish to get into
such state Of serious excitement over
the presence Of q rufian whose only de-
sire was "bit Of tobacco" And he
continued upon his march with stead.
Ter 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 bis
brows were knit In q 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
louder than II had been. and stirred
Private Smith strangely. He stood in
bis box casing upon the STOPPING con.
Wet and striving to remember where
he had heard such . voice before. But
he ransacked his mind In vain: at last
diminishing his effort to remember with
a rueful reflection that perchance the
fellow was some old college chum who
had fallen upon evil days, or may 0e
some old comrnde In aims who had
come to grief. He inclined most to the
latter impt ession, and, himself know.
Ing well the luxury " tobacco and the
wretchedness Of Q solitary man with.
out II, his sympathies went keenly out
to the poor devil" who. but for tho
interpretation Of Y mcrciful Providence.
might easily have besu feion.c omrade
with himself. Though we'll knowing
also that he was running considerable
risk by RI, ing the precious weed ~ the
convict, he resolved to give him Just a
little for the old acquaintance snke
which the mans voice vaguely sug.
gested.
It happened that he had In his pocket
q cake Of tobacco purchased for trihe
when the Ravager was on the West In.
dian station. This he cut In two pieces,
observing ~ he did 80 that the convict
was watching him furtively. When no
resumed his limited parade he held ono
Of these pieces In bis left hand and.
swerving 10 ~ to pass nearer to the
man, he loOsened his hold Of II and II
fell at the convict's feet.
The man clutched at It with almost
savage swiftness, and Private Smith
kept upon Ills way. ratulating him.
self on having done kindly thing and
on escaping detection.
But the sight Of the tobacco and the
odor Of It 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 no would have.
Private Smith was expecting NUT.
tered word Of thanks; but that was not
what came when he once more strobe
past tho recipient Of his precious gift.
The convict shifted his position. ever
10 slightly. yet sufficient to enable him
to glance over his "h0ulder with m ugly
sc0wl at the approaching soldier.
'That other piece" he demanded,
fiercely, Tor Ill split on you. by heav.
emf
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 ut madly fu.
rious and painful speed. A fash 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 vol.
remembered voice he cursed himself
with tho most savage fury for the folly
which had once more placed him In the
power of Louis Vaudols.
His FIRST belief was that. having rec
ognized him. Louis Vaud0is had done
this thing with the mere desire to bring
misfortune down upon him. When.
however, he presently recalled how al
tered IN personal appearance he had
become since that day when last he had
seen Louis Vaudois, this fear cleared
away, leaving only black hate within
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
him to think Vaudois, under even such
conditions. was able to overreach and
compel him to an act he would of bis
own will leave undone.
And yet there was apparently no
other course before him than to accede
to the rufiian's demands. He had ar.
rived at this conclusion. and with q saw.
age reluctance was preparing to sub.
init to the Inevitable when q thought
flashed through his mind and set his
pulses leaping with sudden hope OF