Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-12-18

ALLOW me, SIR said the captain, ito
assure you of the great personal dis
taste and regret l feel at being COM
PEELED to take this action"
Your feelings do you honor, sir" re-
piled O'Neill gravely, "but it is mat
ter of duty. Pray proceed"
Captain Pearson" said Coventry In
great agitation. "can nothing be done
to delay this execution a few hours?
There are considerations, sir. in my
possession which, feel sure. would in
cline his majesty, could he be commu-
nicated with, to extend clemency to
this man-circumstances which,
care these circumstances within the
knowledge of Lord Westbrooke, Major
CoventryY answered the captain, sur.
prised ut the unusual nature Of the In
terruption.
"They are, sir"
"Have you mentioned them to him.
Have you called his attention specific
ally to them. I meanT'
Eyes. sir, have" answered the sol
der reluctantly.
"And they have evidently not influ-
enced him, you see. Therefore I fail
to see how can permit them to weigh
with me-"
"But a delay, sir, Of a day. Of IN
hour even, until I can communicate
with the admiral again! For Gods
sake, sir, do not hang this gentleman
like
"Major Coventry, you are a soldier
and should not make such an appeal
l have my orders. You have shown me
no cause to disregard them. I cannot
take it upon myself to do 90. I dare
not">
but an hour, sir. until r.
mot a moment. At Eve bells they
must be carried out" said the captain
innexibly. mo more, SIR" be added as
Coventry made an impetuous step for
ward. II have INDUCED you too long
already. Mr.. Pascoe, take the prisoner
forward"
ut is useless, Coventry. Why pro-
long this agony longer? You have
done what you could. I 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, sirY'
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 it.
1T Is a fair and easy place from
which to step to heaven. sir, or to the
other place as WELL" said the Irishman.
smiling. as he stepped on the rail. Il
pray you to tell your men to start me
on my way with a quick pull and a
swift run" Pascoe nodded in compre-
hension. This would be q 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 flashing. A hang
mans knot had been made by expert
fingers in the rope leading from the
yaraarm. and the running moose was
quickly cast about O'Neill's neck.
1.-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 isY'
Throw away that black cap, sir.
Let me go with my eyes open" The
lieutenant hesitated q 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
CoventryT answered Pascoe.
Nothing. promised to stand by
him to the last" replied Coventry
The officer hesitated a moment and
then threw the cap into the water.
IT thank you" said O'Neill huskily.
"How much time is thereT
about two minutes, ihink," said
the lieutenant nervoVsly.
you will run away with the fall al
the first or last stroke Of the bellr'
1.-THE last, SIR"
mo 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:
"Th0u knowest, Lord, the secrets
Of our hearts; shut not thy merciful
ears to our prayer; but spare US, Lord
most holy. o God most mighty, o holy
and merciful Saviour, thou most
VuyAR<hvv 4s,dryo <HfA 10 al
our 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 woman in it. The
eyes of love. even in the presence Of
death, are keen, perhaps even keenel
then than ever. 1t was Elizabeth How.
ard. O'Neill recognized her at once
Good heavensi Why had she come
here? She would arrive in time to see
him swinging nfeless from the yard.
arm-a hideous sight for any woman.
He could not take his eyes from her.
Seer he whispered to Coventry
'That boat yonder! She is there"
my Godw said the officer. what
shall we dor
Nothing: tits too late"
'She has something in her handr'
cried Coventry. what can 1t ber'
Forward, therev cried the captain,
| watch in hand. Strike the bell fiver'
The mellow tones Of the first couplet
Of the ships bell rang out In obedi.
ence to the command. The hour was
come! It was his death signal, but
| ONeill never turned his head from the
approaching boat The old Quartermas-
ter struck the bell deliberately, Nnger-
ing over 1t reluctantly. A little shiveI
ran through the men.
STAND byv' shouted the lieutenant
In voice he strove In vain to make
frm. make a quick jerk and lively
run, lads, for Gods saker'
The 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 a paper In