Potosi journal., 1913-04-09
ONE KIND OF REVENGE
BY CHARLES HOGSHEAO.

of Monica, the girl he loved
He came to her side daily, meaning
to say: Il love you. Is there any hope
for me?" But 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 a more courageous frame or
mind
With hope making him feel young
again and almost gay. he began to run
down the slopes at the back Of the
hotel. He passed quickly onto the ter
racc-cast swift glance around For
him it was deserted, He fastened to-
ward the railings. for Monica some
times wandered close to the edge OF
the lake.
He cast but one glance and started
back with a great oath. for he saw
Monica there, but not Monica alone
George Vance was helping her into
one of the little row boats. Bruce
threw up his arms 1t was well that
he was alone on the terrace for he
the silent, self-contained colonel of
the Alisajb lrregulars. cried aloud in
his wrath
"As l live he swore again, Il will
be even with this man yet"
He ran quickly toward the pool, de-
. manded a boat. the iightest. the fast
fn- Srnt int
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, a cry for help. an urgent ap
peal and in English, too.
Once again he heard that cry. lie
set off towards the sound. He swept
along: he rounded q little island and
passed into the deepest part of the
! lake. There he saw before him All
! other boat, but a size larger than he
| had been in; and, as he caught the
CLEAN OF 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 We're making frantic signals foI
help. their boat seemed low down III
the water
4 few more strokes brought Bruce
alongside. BY an act OF objectionable
carelessneSs the boat, which must
have been warping for months hal
been sent out as soon as she had been
placed in the water. III consequence
it was leaking badly.
1t 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 in 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 will 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
the doomed man picked up his oars,
and swung him head round to glance
at the island. Rankin saw that he
was measuring the distance. that he
was about to try to row against death.
Il will keep by YOU" he cried out
for he had no doubt who would win.
The water" called Rankin, after a
few strokes, lest his enemy should
miss single pang "is gaining on
YOU
Il 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
across
Yes" acquiesced Vance, Il am out
of condition. l was i'll my berth most
of the way home with fever"
Then" concluded Bruce, stating
what he had known all along, you
Rankin stayed his stroke He look
ed at his enemy. He was even with
him at last. but when his turn came
would he face death half as we'll?
Vengeance was his. but not such
vengeance ~ ne had dwelt on. brood
ed over.
Vance" he called. you must come
IN here. Monica for all I know has
the greater need of you"
My stepdaughter." answered George
Vance.
My heaven" groaned Bruce Ran
Kiln 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 be TO Monica wheh
| had left the man who has been IS a
father to her drown
Vance put out his hand Bruce un
derstood, clasped It.
Now" said Rankin.
Again Vance shook his head: and
then out of the silence behind the is
land came regular beating noise
Both men knew in al instant what
that meant. 1t meant life not for one
or the other OF them. but for both 0!
them, for it was a littie paddle steam
er which piled across the lake daily