The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-20

mistaken feeling of anger, he muttered
a curse. The wound on her forehead,
however, partly explained, and the ser
geant only added that she had been
| thrown from her horse. She was gently
| put on the ground again and drummer
was hurried off for water.
II was only natural that the accident
| to Mrs. Armytage should seem, even to
the colonel, of small comparative conse-
duence. The deliberate shooting of a
human being was a 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 dispatcheda messenger for
a 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 understand, "but that 1 wanted to
give you a last opportunity to prove your
innocence if you could. I will take on
myself the responsibility of delaying this
execution on your assurance that you are
not a 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 friendship. Oliver knew it was
her love. His thoughts ran fast like
those Of a drowning man, leading him
like flash through his terror of death,
through his alteration of her, through
his following of her after she had for
hidden him, and so to his own promise.
81 will sooner part with life than your
secret"
"You hesitate" said Col. Armytage.
Mrs. Armytage uttered a low moaning
the first indication Of returning con-
seriousness.
Unjust not hesitate!' Oliver exclaimed,
with some impetuousness CT manner.
''The cause that l serve viii not permit
me to waver in my duty"
''Is there anything can do for you
no message 1 can bear to your family?'
''AIy poor sister-she will be left alone.
Her heartwill be broken. Where is she"
The SAD news was sent 60 her several
hours ago."
Oliver thought it was strange, know
ing her strength Of resolution and love,
that she did not come to bid him fare
well. He gave to Col. Armytage a good
by message for her, and the two men
shook hands.
Preparations for the killing Of Oliver
Wiuett were swift and simple. Much
of the celebrity was due to the sergeant,
who glanced often uneasily at Mrs.
Armytage, fearing she would become
conscious before the deadly volley had
been fired. The twenty musket bearers
were ranged, and Oliver was made to
stand in readiness. He requested to face
the executioners, with eyes unbandaged,
and was INDUCED. At the same time,
under Col. Armytage's direction, Mrs.
Armytage was lifted by two Of the
drummers to be carried a short distance
away. The colonel was glad of a reason
for avoiding the death sight, and the ex-
Cuse was good, for his wife was fast
coming to consciousness. He had barely
turned his back, however, before he
heard new voice, that of Tudor Bovine,
who did not go to Oliver at first, but ad-
dressed Col Armytage.
II come to ask a favor" he said. |
Friends of Oliver desire to secure his |
body. They await your permission"
HYou have permission"
Tudor waved his nat as a signal to eight |
men to approach from where at a dis
tance of a hundred yards they had stop |
ped. Then he went to Oliver, grasped his |
hands and said: "Good-by, old friendr'
In a whisper he continued: Heed what /
/ say, Oliver; your life depends on it. /
When the command is given to fire drop |
instantly to the ground. Stand firm when /
you hear the order, Make ready don't |
stir at the command, Aim but fall fiat /
on the ground just before the word fire
Don't fail"
The eight men walked into the field.
They carried a long, rough box, which /
they sat down close by. Oliver look at |
it and shuddered as he saw that it was a
coffin.
Are these men unarmed?' the captain
in command asked.
Search them, Tudor suggested.
heOfficer gave thecommand, Ready"
and the musllets were leveled.
Remember my parting words, divert"
Tudor shouted.
Oliver was like 4 stone in immovabili-
ty, and almost as devoid of sensation.
He thought, but not very clearly, that
Tudor had resorted to a device to give
him courage through a 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 |
cowardiCe? He knew that it was owing
to confidence in his bravery that he was
not bound and blndfolded. Ought he
to finch?
Time and again through the night had
CID JUDGES vision come into his mind.
All the way from the guard house to
this spot the tap of the drums had kept
time with her words. "Marchin-
marchin'-marchin'." Upon seeing Mrs.
on the ground, with her sad
died horse close by. he had known OF
her riding to the place in accord with
what the negress had professed to see in
her second prophetic view. Now it
flashed upon him that her third phan-
tasm had depicted his fall before the
of soldiers. Was he TO strive
against q fate SO mannestly foreor-
dained? Or, would his voluntary pros
Tation, as directed by Tudor. satisfy the
prediction? These thoughts were almost
His mind was suddenly
as clear as crystal, and his nerves and
tense and strong.
a ir1l7 commanded the "a rtsir