Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-01-28
x 4 HIS REVENGE.


into his life, and by scoundrelly insin-
uating manners and methods had al
most sent him into surroundings like
unto those upon which he had gaZed
with such fascination ever since the
Ravnger had been tloated into dock. 1t
Is true the charge against him at the
Old Bailey had not been sustained
Though Il defending counsels clever
manipulation of evidence imperfectly
presented by the prosecution; but lie
mated Louis Naudois no less passion
ately on that account, for he had but to
recall those terrible hours spent before
his judgeS-the miserable twiStingS,
and. above all, the justness of the
charge, to fill his heart with such fierce
enmity as even now set his pulses leap
ing and boiling with the widest desire
for revenge.
y thrill of excitement went shivering
down his spine for an instant trav-
eled Jelly through his veins as he found
himself ashore and pacing so closely
to the convict who had made vain over
lures to Private Atkins, and who was
now softly humming a once favorite
music hall ditty.
The mans back was turned toward
Private Smith. TO all appearances he
was wholly engrossed by his work. And
the soldier, though fascinated for a
time, was gradually becoming accus-
| tnmn1 N thn nthariy
he passed the man for the twentieth
time Il few words falling from the con-
vict in Il whispered undertone caused
his heart to give one great startled
bound and set all his nerves in more
painful quiver than ever
Say, old chap"
But Private Smith passed on mechan-
icaliy, after faltering moment un,ler
the shock. Every sense was on the
alert with excitement as he turned and
came back toward the convict, his
heart beating so 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 you?"
Again Private Smith passed ON. This
commonplace request almost caused
him to burst out into loud hysterical
laugh. 1t was so foolish to get into
such state of serious excitement over
the presence of a ruffian whose only de-
sire was "bit of tobacco" And he
continued upon his march with stead
ier and more confident tread.
But when, after again pacing for
ward, he once more came back towards
his sentry-boN his mood was changed
A cloud was upon his face, and his
brows were knit in 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 1t had been, and stirred
Private Smith strangely. He stood in
his box gazing upon the STOPPING con-
Wet and striving to remember where
he had heard such n voice before. But
he ransacked his mind in vain; at last
dismissing his effort 10 remember with
fellow was some old college chum who
had fallen upon evil days. or may pe
some old cOmrade in aims who had
come TO grief. He inclined most to the
latter in,pi cssion. and, himself know
( ing well he luxury ~ tobacco and the
wrctchcdncss of solitary man with
out it. his sympathies went keenly out
to the poor devil' v ho, but for the
interposition of Il merciful Providence.
might easily have Denu Il felon-comrade
with himself. Though we'll knowing
also that he was running considerable
risk by CIV ing the precious weed to the
convict, he resolved to give him Just n
little for the old acquaintance sake
which the mans voice vaguely sug-
gested.
1t happened that he had in his pocket
n cake of tobacco purchased for Il trifle
when the Ravager was on the West In
dian station. This he cut in two pieces.
observing as he did so that the convict
was watching him furtively. When he
resumed his limited parade he held one
of these pieces in his left hand and,
swerving so as to pass nearer to the
man, he loosened his hold of it and 1t
fell ut the convict's feet.
The man clutched at 1t with almost
savage swiftness, and Private Smith
kept upon his way, congratulating him
self on having done a 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 1t with all
the greed that was in his nature. Thar