El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-06
Bruce RankIin's ReUenge
A short story.

~ RUCE rankin, colonel Of the
AIisajh IrreguIars, a frontier
- force Of wild tribesmen, was a
solitary man, a self contained man, and
little given TO pleasure and society. But
the life that had been in this man fer
the last 10 years seemed to flow back
into his veins as he watcher the
changing face Of Monica, the girl he
loved.
He came to her side daily meaning
to say, 4 love you. Is there any hope
for me?' Sut he left her at night with
the words still unspoken.
One day Bruce was so troubled by
his own dumbness that, instead Of
seeking Monica on the terrace over
looking the lake, he set off to climb
among the hills, and walked himself
INTO more courageous frame Of mind.
with nope making him feel young
again and almost gay, he began to run
down the slopes at the back of the ho-
tel He passed quickly on to the ter
Tace-cast a swift glance around. For
him it was deserted. He fastened to-
times wandered close to the edge OF the
lake.
He cast but one glance, and started
back y1th great oath, for he saw
George Vance was helping her into
one Of the little row boats. Bruce
threw up his arms It was well that
ne was alone on the terrace, for he the
Ahsajh Irregulars, cried aloud in mis-
wrath
As I live" he swore again, Il viii
be even with this man YETI
He ran quickly towards the pool. de-
manded boat the lightest, the fastest
for hire. and shot out into the open
water
Then he all at once rested on his
oars, bent forward, listened. A cry
came to him-a cry over the smiling
water. cry for help, an urgent appeal,
and in English, too
Once again he heard that CRY. He
set off towards the sound. He swept
along; he rounded a little island and
passed into the deepest part of the
lake There he saw before him an
other boat a size larger than he had
been IN; and as he caught the CLEAN
OF the red cushions in the stern. he
knew what he had hoped for had come
TO pass 1t was Monica and George
Vance. They were in distress; they
were making frantic signals for help
their boat seemed low down in the
water.
few more strokes brought Bruce
alongside BY an act of objectionable
carelessness, the boat, which must have
been Warping for months had been sent
out as soon as she had been placed in
the water. In consequence it was
leaking badly.
It was his hour now: the hour he
had lOnged for. had clamored for
His boat at the most would hold but
two people.
He did not tell this at first. His
first care was to transfer Monica. At
length she was safely in. huddled down
under Bruce's coat at the stern of his
boat. He picked up his oars. and shot
out Of arms length.
Vance looked at him, he looked back
at Vance
Bruce rested on his oars.
MY boat viii hold only two" he
exulted.
vance did not expostulate; he did
not beseech.
Bruce looked long at him. He saw
that the boat. lighter now. was making
less water. He saw that Vance sud
denly marked that-that as quickly
the doomed man picked up his oars.
and swung his head round to glance at
the island. Rankin saw that he was
measuring the distance, that he was
about 10 try TO row against death.
I wiz keep by you" he cried out,
for he had no doubt who would win
The water" called Rankin. after
few strokes, lest his enemy should miss
a single pang. lis gaining on you"
Z know it," came the answer
The next minute Bruce heard an
other sound Vance was in distress
while he was hardly hot.
You are used up" Rankin called
yes" asquiesced Vance. q am out
Of condition I was in my berth most
Of the way home with fever.
Then" concluded Bruce, stating
what he had known all along, you
cannot reach the island"
Rankin stayed his stroke. He looked
at his enemy. He was even with him
at last, but when his turn came would
he face death half as well?
Vengeance was his, but not such
vengeance as he had dWelt on,
brooded over.
Vance he called, you must come
in here Monica for all I know has
the greatest need Of you
Ny stepdaughter,'' answered George
Vance.
Ny Heavenr groaned Bruce Rank
lin, for it was he, after all, who was
punished, not his enemy.
He leaned across the little space OF
water.
George Vance" he announced, you
owe this to me Change places with
me. What should I be to Monica when
I had left the man who has been as a
father to her Drown
Vance put out his hand Bruce IN
derstOOd. clasped it
Now said Rankin.
Again Vance shook his head; and
then out OF the silence behind the is
land came a regular beating noise.
Both men knew in an instant what
that meant It meant life not for one
or the other Of them. but for both of
them. for il was a little paddle steamer
which piled across the lake daily.