Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-12-08
CHAPTER ".
ENTER MAJOR COVENTRY.


Three days later the Ranger. under
all plain sail. in a gentle breeze, was
slowly blowing along through the Irish
sea. on the English coast, near the
mouth Of the Merscy. The whalcbOat,
manned by six of the smartost seamen,
armed with cutlass and pistol, and
dressed in their best clothes. old Price
being cOCkswain again. was just being
made ready. The ship was presently
hove to. and a side ladder was dropped
overheard at the gangway where Miss
Elizabeth Howard and her maid were
standing waiting for the lowering OF
the whaleboat, and around which the
officers of the deck speedily cOngrCgat-
ed
There were sOrrowlui lot of men.
these impressionable sailors. for O'Nelll
was no- alone in his captivity. True
10 his promise, Captain Jones had shift
ed his course and was about to land
his fair passenger. He had chosen 10
put her ashore upon rocky beach four
or five miles away from fort at BirK-
enhead which guarded IGe mouth Of
the river which gave entrance 10 the
harbOr not caring to venture his ship
in any closer proximity to the fOrtifi-
cations and the war vessels probably
in the river. 1t was a risky perform
anCe at best, but he trusted to the
known speed Of the Ranger and his
own seamanship to effect his escape in
case the ship should be discovered and
pursued in force.
Once on shore it would not he dlfli-
cult matter for the lady and her maid
to procure conveyance to take them
TO the city, a little farther inland. The
melancholy duty of landing the two
women, by special request, had been al
lotted to the first lieutenant, much TO
the disgust OF the various midshipmen,
who conceived that the matter of TAX
ing charge of boats appertdined more
properly 10 one OF their number.
The larewels were soon spoken by
the grateful girl TO the officers, who
had done their very best in making the
days pass pleasantly and tightening the
tedium Of the voyage, and to the cap
tain, who had been kindness and con-
sideratiOn itself The young lieuten-
ant, still somewhat pale from his ad-
venture, had clothed himself in hand
some full dress uniform and. with a
| splendidly jeweled sword swinging by
his side, came ON deck from his cabin
the envy of all the others.
The ship had been hove to, the ac-
commodalion ladder shipped, the
whalebOat was lying at the gangway
now, and the three passengers at once
took their places in the stern.
See Miss Howard safely landed, Mr.
| O'Nein," said the SOLICITORS captain
leaning over the rail, and assure your
self as far as possible OF her ability tC
reach the town without harm and then
return at once. In any event do not
leave the beach. We will watch you
sir"
Aye, aye, sir" answered O'Neill
shove off-out Oars-give way" anC
the little boat at once shot away from
4
by the watchful men, dashed towarC
the not distant shore.
Miss Howard should have been ra
dainty happy at leaving the Ranger
and in her proximity to Liverpool
where she was about to meet not only
friends and family connections, bu
one who was destined to be somethipl
more. This person was Major Edward
Coventry, o gallant and distinguished
youRg officer, the son aud heir Of he
guardian, Lord Wostbroke, and t
whom for many years-from infancy
in iact-she had been bcJrothed. Blu
an uuacruuntable tInge Of sadness HOY
cred over her lovely face though sh
slroye 20 conceal II under IN affocDa
uon Of lighlUess aud guyo'y
As Tor O'Neill he made no oNur
whatever 10 hide his misery. The Inn
questionable young mshmun had fall
on deeply In love with Elizabeth How