The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-10-21

not"
"But an hour, sir, until r.
mot a moment. AT five bells they
must be carried out" said the captain
%inhexibly. "No more, sir" he added as
Coventry made an impetuous step for
ward. 81 have INDUCED you too long
already. Mr.. Pascoe, take the prisoner
forward"
"It is useless, Coventry. Why pro-
long this agony longer? You have
done what you could. 1 thank you
and bless you," said O'Neill as they
walked along the deck to the place Of
the grating.
"Will you please step up here, sir2"
| said Pascoe, the first lieutenant Of the
Scraps, who had the matter in charge,
| pointing to the grating on the rail as
| they came abreast of 1t.
at is n fair and easy place from
which TO step to heaven, sir, or to the
other place as we'll" said the Irishman,
smiling, as he stepped on the rail. IL
| pray you to tell your men to start me
OH my way with Il quick pull and a
swift run" Pascoe nodded in compre-
hcnsion. This would be a case in
which speed would be merciful.
A boatswain's mate now stepped up
beside the prisoner and bound his feet
and hands with a lashing. A hang
mans knot had been made by expert
fingers in the rope leading from the
yardarm, and the running moose was
quickly cast about O'Neill's neck.
| "The collar of an ancient order, this"
, observed O'Neill, still smiling. "And
now one last request, sir" he added,
turning to the lieutenant.
"And that ISL"
"Throw away that black cap, sir.
Let me go with my eyes OPEN" Tho
lieutenant hesitated n moment. The
whole ships company was filed with
admiration for the intrepid and gal
liant Irishman.
"Do it, for Gods sake, Pascoe"
whispered Coventry, springing up
alongside O'Neill and the sailor, who,
to avoid him, stepped back and stood
on the rail by the fore shrouds.
what are you doing there, Major
CovcntryT answered Pascoc.
Nothing. 1 promised to @fand by
him to the last" replied Coventry.
The officer hesitatcd a moment and
then threw the cap into the water.
az thank you," said O'Neill huskily.
GLOW much time Is there?"
"About two minutes, L Think" said
the lieutenant n~ervously.
You will run away with the fall at
the first or last stroke Of the bell?"
The last, sir"
"No MORE" said O'Neill to Coventry,
turning his face in the direction of the
shore. The deep voice of the white
robed priest alone broke the silence:
""Tbou knowcst, Lord, the secrets
Of our hearts; shut not thy merciful
ears to u prayer; but spare us, Lord
most holy, o God most mighty, o holy
and mcrciful Saviour, thou most
worthy judge eternal, suffer is not, at
orr last hour, for any pains of death,
to fall from thee"
Out on the water q white sailed little
boat was speeding swiftly toward
them. There was a woman in it. The
eyes Of love, even in the presence of
death, are keen, perhaps even kecncr
then than ever. 1t was Elizabeth How
ard. O'Ncill recognized her at once.
Good heavens! Why had she come
here? She would arrive in time to see
him swinging lifelcss from the yard
arm-a hideous sight for any woman.
He could not take his eyes from her.
"Sec!" he whispered to Coventry.
"That boat yondcr! She is there"
"NIy Cod" said the officer. "What
shall we do?"
Nothing; it's too late"
"She has something in her handw
cried Coventry. "What can it bel"
forward, there!" cried the captain,
watch in hand. "Strikc the bell ive!"
The mellow tones of the first couplet
Of the ships bell rang out in obedi-
ence to the command. The hour was
come! 1t was his death signal, but
O'Neill never turned his head from the
approaching boat. The old quartermas-
ter struck the bell deliberately, linger.
ing ovc 1t reluctantly. A little SILVER
ran through the men.
"Stand by" shouted the lieutenant
in q voice he strovc in vain to make
firm. "NIake n quick jerk and a lively
run, lads, for Gods sake!"
Tho men grasped the rope more
firmly and sprang into position for the
jump. The next couplet was struck on
the bell. The boat was nearer now.
Coventry saw that the woman waved
something that looked like q paper in
her hand. The last stroke Of the bell
rang out on the breathlcss, silent ship.
"Sct taut!" cried the lieutenant
hoarsely. The men leaped forward in
stantly to the shrlll piping Of the
boatswain and his mate. "Sway
uway!' he cried.
The frightened rope caught the Irish
man by the throat. A lightning flash
seemed to cleave the skies. He saw, rs
in n vision, a great hall hung with ar
ras, a picture frame, n woman radiant,
beautiful, her eyes shining; an up.
raised hand. Like silver bells a voice
murmured, ~ love him, 1 love him.
She ~moyed-ah, a gigantic hand caught
him by the throat. He strove to cry
out. 1t clutchcd him tighter and tight
er. Blackness like n pail fell before
him, shutting out the smiling face
Interchangeable saw no more. He
swung into the air and was nothing.
The quick eye of Major Coventry had
detected at last what the girl was wav-
ing.
"That paperl' he cried frantically as
the last bell struck. at must be a re-
prieve. The admiral has relented."
Was Ii too late? Quick as thought he
snatched the sheath knife from the belt
of the sailor near him. 1t was too late