Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-12-25

below lifted her gently into the stern
Of the boat. NOiSelesSly and as quick
ly as possible O'Neill followed her
By EliZabcth's direction he lay down
n the bottom of the boat and she COW
cred him entirely with her boat cloak.
The man in the bows, whom ONeill
had not recognized in the shadow and
who had said nothing, slowly worked
the boat back under the counter again,
then with Il strong thrust showed her
clear of the ship. The flooding tide
carried them slowly away. In a few
moments he cautiously got out his oars
and by very gentle pulling added n
little to the way of the boat.
The ear of the watchful Coventry
had at once apprised him Of their de-
parture. He could scarcely resist the
them back that he might see her once
again. But he had duty to do. So
soon as he was persuaded that they
had left the ship he called the sentry
from the opposite side Of the deck and
told him to mount guard again and ON
no account to disturb the prisoners.
Then he ran rapidly up to the quarter
deck and made his way aft to the ma
rine on guard there. The man was
looking out into the darkness at q dark
blur on the water-a boat. Two fig
ures could be distinguished in 1t, one
of them woman. Coventry saw them
at once, and as he looked they disap-
peared-the last sight Of her, he
thought bitterly. The marine had just
opened his mouth to give the alarm
when the clear voice Of the officer rang
in his ear.
"Sentryv' said Coventry. The man
instinctively sprang to attention at
once and for the moment forgot the
boat.
Have you seen any signals from the
castle?"
mo. sir. But I seen a little boat of
there that looked suspicious like"
Whereabouts did you see itY'
'"There, sir; right off there"
NO." said Coventry. straining his
eyes through the darkness. "There is
no boat there. You have been mistak-
en-. I think" he added indifferentfy, his
gaze still fixed on the place where they
had drifted away and disappeared. He
knew what was coming, since they had
gone. He must pay for 1t, so he leaned
on the rail and waited. A few moments
later a large barge full manned darted
out Of the darkness, coming toward the
ship. Coventry knew what it was, Of
course.
BOAT ahoyv' shouted the watchful
sentry at the gangway.
Flag" was the answer as the admi-
rAl dashed alongside. Almost before
the officer of the watch could reach the
gangway the old man clambered to the
deck.
Good evening, Sir" he said in NJ
gponse to the formers salutatioR
Captain PearsonT
II have sent for him, my lord" re-
piled the officer, and the next moment
the captain himself came bustling out
Of the darkness to do honor to the old
admiral.
"Ah. Captain Pearson. good even
Ing"
Good evening to your lordship."
1.-THE prisoner sent ofr-he has been
duly executed, presumer'
why. no. SIR" said the captain,
alarmed at this confirmation of ais sus-
picions. eve were about ready to car
~ out the sentence-the command to
sway aloft had been given, in fact
when we received your reprieve."
MY repr4ever said the Admiral Il
great surprise. What mean you?
sent no reprieve."
"Sir, sir" cried the astonished cap
tain. 1T was brought here by your
ward, Lady Elizabeth Howard"
Elizabeth Good Godw cried the old
man, starting violently. ''Her maid said
she was Ill. She must have Did YOU
inspect It carefully. sir7" he asked
checking himself.
Yes, my lord. It-seemed to be at
right, but the whole-proceeding was q
irregular and unlike, you that I called
upon
Where is the paperr' cried the ad
miral, interrupting impatientlx.
Il have just sent to fetch IT. sir."
They waited In silence until q mid
shipman placed 1t TN the hand Of thu
admiral. Pascoe held a light while
the old man seized 1t, scrutinised /,
eagerly and handediit back to the cap
tain.
This" he said slowly, sis a for
gerry. You shouldihave disregarded it
sir"
"Twas passed upon by your sor
and aid. Major Coventry, my lord, >
replied the captain shortly.
"How! Edward! Where is he?"
Here, my lord" said the youna
man. stepping forward, pale as death
and saluting.
ibid you examine this paper, sirT'
II did, sir"
You knew 1t was a forgery"
Eyes, sir"
"And yet you declared it to be cor
rectT
81 nin. sir"
"For what purposer
"Wiil you direct these others to re,
tire out Of hearing, Captain Pearson7"