Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-06
not be seem"
E;da 4 IN 9ssI.s; 9Ss g s-sy- ;.- she said firmly


nearer and nearer; and even the measured
tramp OF feet was audible. In sheer despera-
alton he caught hold of the horses bride. The
quick and violent Mrs Armytage was thrown
heavily to the ground. The Sergeant had only
time to see that the smooth white Of her fore
head was necked with red, and that she was
unconscious before the soldiers came conduct
ing Willett- His terror and dread were in
creasing as he felt that death was close: but his
face; ashen from its Wilderness and rigidity Of
resolute expression did not disclose his mental
agony. He with the rest saw Mrs Armytage
lying on the ground The blood was trickling
over her face from a cut near her temple and
He went to her SO quickly that the soldiers
thought 1t was an attempt to escape, and
muskets were leveled at him In twinkling;
but no hindrance was made to his gently lifting
her,
She lay on his breast with her head on his
shoulder and his arms sustainingly around her
-an instant 30. and then Colonel Armytage
was there, looking on In astonishment. But
the brief time had been sufficient for a strong
effect on Oliver. The helplessness of the un-
conscious woman; the face so close that he
might have kissed the parted lips; the belief
save him il she could-these things aroused
him out Of the awful fear of death into which
he had been sinking. and made his heart burn
Colonel Armytage stood mute at the sight Of
his wife In divers arms, and. in mistaken
feeling Of anger, he muttered . curse. The
planned, and the Sergeant only added that she
had been thrown from her horse. She was
gently put on the ground again and q drummer
was hurried off for water.
Armytage should seem, even to the Colonel, Of
small comparative consequence. The deliber-
ate shooting OF human being was horror
that was not to be crowded out of minds by an
event that at . time less fraught with thrilling
interest would have been exciting in itself.
The Colonel dispatched messenger for
physician, saw for himself that his wife's hurt
was not very serious, and then turned to
Oliver
Il would not have come here" he said in
tone too low for anybody but Oliver to under
stand, s'but that wanted to give you last
opportunity to prove your innocence II you
could. will take on myself the responsibility
OF delaying this execution on your assurance
that you are not spy" He pointed TO the
woman at their feet, and continued: Perhaps
it is her persistent friendship that moves me TO
make this offer"
Her friendshipi Oliver knew it was her love.
His thoughts ran fast like those of drowning
OF death, through his alteration Of her. through
his following of her after she had forbidden
him. and 80 60 bis own promise. II viii sooner
part with life than your secret"
"You hesitate said Colonel Armytage.
Mrs. Armytage uttered . low moaning-the
first indication Of returning consciousness.
II must, not hesitatep' Oliver exclaimed,
with some impetuousness Of manner. "The
rs there nothing can do for you-no mes
sage I can bear to your tamily?"
"My poor sister-she will be left alone. Her
heart will be broken. Where is shef'
''The sad news was sent to her several hours
ago."
oliver thought It was strange. knowing her
strength of resolution and love, that she did
not come to bid him farewell. He gave TO
Colonel Armytage goodby message for her,
and the two men shook hands.
Preparations for the killing of Oliver Willett
were swift and simple. Much Of the celebrity
was due to the sergeant, who glanced often un-
easily at Mrs. Armytage, fearing she would be-
come conscious before the deadly volley had
been fred. The ~ musket bearers were ranged,
and Oliver was made to stand in readiness. He
requested to face the executioners, with eyes
unbandaged, and was indulged. At the same
time, under Colonel Armytage's direction, Mrs.
Armytage was lifted by two Of the drummers
to be carried short distance away. The Col
onel was glad Of . reason for avoiding the
death sight; and the excuse was good for his
wife was fast coming to consciousness. He
had barely turned his back, however, before he
did not go to Oliver at first, but addressed Col
onel Armytage.
II come to ask favor,D he said. "Friends
OF Oliver desire to secure his body. They await
your permission"
"You have permission"
Tudor waved his hat as signal to eight men
to approach from where. at distance of q
Wen to 6Ts his and sad
''Goodby, old friendr' In whisper he con-
tinued: "Heed what I say, Oliver; your life
depends on it. When the command Is given to
when you hear the order, Make ready; don't
stir at the command, Aim; but fall fat on the
ground Just before the word Fire. Don't
fail"
The eight men walked into the field. They
carried long. rough box, which they sat down
close by. Oliver looked at 1t and shuddered as
he saw that it was q coffin.
"Are these men unarmed?" the Captain in
command asked.
s'Search them, Tudor suggested.
The officer gave the command, "Readyr' and
the muskets were leveled
Remember my parting words, Oliverr'
Tuder shouted.
Oliver was like q stone in Immovability and
almost as devoid of sensation. He thought,
to device to give him courage through false
hope. Should he drop to the ground before
the fire would he not simply prolong the
ordeal, and be open to the accusation of cow
ardice? He knew that it was owing to con-
fidence in his bravery that he was not bound
and blindfolded. Ought he TO finch?
Time and again through the night had Old
JUDGES vision come into his mind. All the
way from the guardEouse to this spot the tap
of the drums had kept time with her WORDS
s.Marcnin'- -marchin'-marchin'." Upon seeing
Mrs. Armytage on the ground, with her saddled
horse close BY. he had known Of her riding |
to the place in accord with what the |
negress hadi professed to see in her |
the second prophetic view. Now it flashed |
upon him that her third phantasm had de- |
picted his fall before the muskets of soldiers. |
Was he to strive against fate SO manifestly |
Or, would his voluntary pros |
tration, as directed by Tudor, satisfy the pre- |
diction? These thoughts were almost instanta- |
neous. His mind was suddenly as clear as /
crystal, and his nerves and muscles tense and |
strong.
"Aifn," commanded the Captain.
Mrs A tn aid out of rho arrna of tha L
men who bore her, and who had been detained |
by Tudor's words with the Colonel. She /
opened her eyes and saw Oliver facing the |
ready muskets She tried to scream, but could |
not make sound. The Colonel quickly grasped
her, to turn her away from the scene that hor-
rified her so perceptibly Oliver saw her fall
in a faint and even in that fateful moment, he |
recalled that as part of the third vision
"Firep'
Oliver fell on his face, so brief an instant be-
fore che rattle of the volley that the soldiers
lid not know he was unhurt Their attention,
100. was startlingly diverted. Tudor and his
eight companions sprang to the long box, nmng
,f the cover, and took out muskets. The
amazed soldiers with empty guns. found them
selves confronted like magic by these stalWart
lrmed ones.
N his feet, alive to the truth of the situation.
The second was the Sergeant who was on him
With drawn sword, suddenly and furiously.
There was brief wrestling struggle, and then
he Sergeant was on the ground, with his own
word held by Oliver at his breast. Then there
vas bargain-wordless and quick, but bind
ng. Then the Sergeant bought his life with the
etter that he had refused to sell to Mrs. Army
age. He pulled it from his pocket and held it
I'D. Oliver recognized it, and comprehended
he Offer He clutched the crumpled, scorched
,aper, and permitted the Sergeant to get up.
Here the story OF one August night ends
With the rescuers and the rescued starting for
he near stream, where boats were ready for
hem with the soldiers cowed and practically