The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-02-11
HIS REVENGE. :


was wholly engrossed by his work. And
the soldier, though fascinated for a
time, was gradually becoming accus-
toned to the others presence when. as
he passed the man for the twentieth
time, a few words falling from the con-
Wet In a whispered undertone caused
his heart to give one great startled
bound and set all his nerves in a more
painful culver than ever.
Say, old chap
But Private Smith passed on mechau-
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
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 your
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 ruffian whose only de-
sire was a ''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 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
louder than it 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 voice before. But
he ransacked his mind in vain; at last
dismissing 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 be
some old comrade in aims who had
come to grief. He inclined most to the
latter impr ession. and, himself know
ing well the luxury % tobacco and the
Indebtedness of a solitary man with
out it, his sympathies went keenly out
| to the poor deviP' who, but for the
! interpostion of nerciful Providence,
might easily have been felon-comrade
with himself. Though well knowing
also that he was running considerable
risk by giving the precious weed TO the
convict, he resolved to give him just a
little for the old acquaintance sake
which the mans voice vaguely sug-
gested.
1t happened that he had in his pocket
cake of tobacco purchased for trifie
when the Rayager 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. men 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 II
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 it excited with the convict q
furious covetousness. He had seer
Private Smith return the second piece
i. to his pocket, and he desired it with al
the greed that was in his nature. Tha
, second piece he would have.
Private Smith was expecting a NUT
, tered word of thanks; but that was no
, what came when he once more strod
past the recipient Of his precious gift
The convict shifted his position, eve
, so slightly, yet sufficient to enable hin
! to glance over his shoulder with an ugl
scowl at the approaching soldier.
l ''That other piece" he demanded
: fercely, "or FL split on you, by heay
: enI'
Private Smith saw his face clearl
: for the first time; and at the sight hi
e heart stood still for an instant an
d then commenced beating at madly fl
b rious and painful speed. A fash of il
n tensest hatred ran through his blooC
e for there was no longer any myster
: about the mans identity; and as l.
:. moved out of hearing of that now wei
/ remembered voice he cursed himse
e with the most savage fury for the foil
$ which had once more placed him in tt
Il power of Louis Vaudois.
= His first belief was that, having re
= ognized him, Louis Vaudois had dor
:. this thing with the mere desire to brin
;, misfortune down upon him. Whel
= however, he presently recalled how a
a tered IN personal appearance he ha
: become since that day when last he ha
! seen Louis Vaudois, this fear cleare
|, away, leaving only black hate with
70 his SOUL So, he decided, the giving
"A the second piece would satisfy his on
% friend and enemy. He had nothing
N fear or to lose beyond that. But
n. was reluctant to do this; it madden,
/ him to think Vaudois, under even SUI
20 conditions, was able to overreach al
"a compel him to an act he would of b
70 own will leave undone.
lit anu JSe thSiS was uppalShdy
10 other course before him than to acce'
"a to the ruffian's demands. He had a
pr rived at this conclusion, and with a sa
" age reluctance was preparing to su
10 init to the inevitable when thong
n flashed through his mind and set /
to pulses leaping with a sudden hope
re retaliation. Would Louis Vaudois
g, fool enough to fall into the trap? Th
e, was the only question.
ne Swiftly he made his preparations, n
ce then strobe firmly-yet with pulls
n beating with an excitement strong