The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-09-16
THE MASTER PLAYER TAKES A HAND

ulMAI0 $3.50
l&&8 while n squad of cavalry
came galloping upon the beach by the
road at the other end, and, at once dis
mounting, advanced up the strand.
The scamcn I'm the boat, in obedience
to a wave of O'Neilrs hand, swept her
in toward the shore, Jumped out and
moved toward him, drawing their cut
lasscs and handling their pistols threat
cningly-though they were greatly out
numbered they would not give up with
out Il struggle. 1t was Covcntry's op-
portunity now. al shall not be able to
indulge your desire for the loss of your
lifc," he said, stepping back II pick
Ing up his sword, but / fear that duty
imposes upon me the necessity of de-
privlng YOU of your liberty. | regret
the necessity, believe mo; Ills n poor
return for your generosity, but l have
no option"
"What mean you!"
"You are. by your own statements, Il
rebel against his majesty. 1t Is my
duty us commander of this post and a
loyal servant of the king to %apprehcnd
you. Indeed, | have beer especially
charged to look out for you. / will
pioi''oC Noh '"'h NoNi " nv bNot vi
treatment, however, and YOU liberty OF
action IL o will give mo your pa
role"
81 am twice captured then, it seems"
said the lieutenant, looking at Eliza
beth, who had come forward as soon
as old Price, who had left her, had
sprung to his officers side. AS the girl
drew near to him and Major Coventry
turned away his head to give an order
the Irishman said to her:
"Nyhy did you not call out to save
your lover n moment sinccI"
ut was not necessary" she said,
looking at him with eyes filled with
tears. IL new what you would DO"
Delay was dangerous TO him. Covcn-
try vas posting his men. He hcsltatcd
Il moment, however, and, taking her
hand, bowed low oyer 1t.
'"Thank you," he whispered grateful
~. "This word, and you, / shall re-
member"
and l." said the girl, her eyes filling
with tears, "will never forget
Come, sir" said Coventry dryly,
turning ut this moment, having finished
his dispositions. IL think you overstcp
the privileges Of n parole, and if you
will have our men lay down their
arms VIC will go up to the castle. 1
have sent for a carriage for you, Eliza
beth, which will be here shortly"
do YOU know" said O'Ncill, chat L
have a mind to say to you that l might
as well die right here as at any place
else, and l do not think l shall go to
that castle, after all. There arc seven
Of us hcre'-
"Closc in therc!' sharply shouted
Coventry TO his soldiers, who obcyed
him promptly. "Makc ready!"
Handle your pistols, mcn!" cried the
other, whipping out his own; but again
Elizabeth interfcrcd In the fray. She
ran between the American scamen and
the English soldiers with outstretchcd
hands.
"Stop.' she cried. "Thcrc must be
no further fighting here. This gentle
man came TO this spot to 10 me n favor,
to set me free. My life is his
81 give 1t back to you!" cried O'Neill.
".And yours, Major Coventry, was his
also" she added reDroachfully.
81 give 1t to him as we'll, and If any
more lives are wanted anybody CAL
have mine for the taking" interrupted
tho sailor again.
"This must so no further" continued
the girl.
"And 1T shall not, madam" cried n
deep, clear voice as one OF the cutters
Of the Ranger, filed to the gunwalcs
with heavily armed men, and with n
swivel in the bow and n man standing
Over 1t with a lighted match in his
hand, came sweeping around the head
land and dashing in toward the shore.
1t was under the command of Jones
himself, who had grown impatient at
the delay.
81 nm sorry to Interrupt n tctc-a-tctc,
gentlemen" lie cried.
"iou are beaten again, Major Covcn.
try," said O'Ncin calmly. ''The odds
arc In our favor now. Throw down
your arms Instantly, YOU dogs" he
shouted to the English soldiers. Rack!
Out of the way, Miss Howard"
He sprang TO l!cr side and, clasping
her around tho waist MS If she had been
n child, lifted her out of The line of fire.
Tho Jealous Coventry noticed two
things he did not release her, nor did
she struggle to got away. The sullcn
soldiers rallied about Coventry and
| presented their arms thrcntrninGly;
they had no mind either to yield with
out a fight.
Stand by". shouted Jones TO the ma
rincs In his boat ana 10 tho gnnncrs
forward.
"Stop, for Gods sake stop, Captain
Jones! You have been good to me-"
cried Eliznbcth, now struggling family
to escape from Tie grasp of O'Neill. 81
know that YOU are a gentleman. That
officer is my bctrothed. Withhold your
fire. They will retire. There must be
no bloodshcd. You promised 10 set me
free and in safety ashore and leave me
there. Go, 1 cntrcat you
STEADY, lads, stcady.' cried Jones,
stepping out of the boat. ~ nd You,
SIR TO the English officer, will you
withdraw quietly, taking your lady
with you. of course, If we engage to do
the same? You are ou;numOersd. and
we can cut you to pieces. Take the
word of an older fighter, YOU honor
will he safe, sir"
"You are right, sir; It's best. 1 must
needs submit, | suppose said Covcn-
try, resigning himself the more grace.
fully to the inevitable, as he could then
receive his love again. Come, Lady
L n