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

him by the throat. He strove to cry
out. 1t clutched him tighter and tight
er. Elackncss Ike pail fell before
him, shutting out the smiling face
Geath-agony-he saw no more. He
swung into the air and was nothing.
The quick eye of Major Coventry had
detected ut last what the girl was way
ing.
THAT paper" he cried frantically as
Sire last he'll struck. 1T must be re-
prieve. The admiral has relented."
Was II too late? Quick as thought he
snatchcd the sheath knife from the belt
Of the sailor near him. 1t was too late
to stop the men on the rope even had
he possessed the power, but as O'NetD
rose in the air he caught him around
the waist and with one rapid blow sew
cred the straining rope above his head
Assisted at ONCE by the sailor alongside
Of him. they lowered the bound. un-
conscious man upon the deck beneath
them. 1t was all done in the twinkline
OK an eye. The men on the ship broke
out in ringing cheers.
The rope, being relieved Of the weight
Of the body, of course ran rapidly
through the block, and the men hauling
1t pitched pellmell over themselves upon
the deck. There was moment Of In
tense excitement. The seamen on the
other side Of the deck, cheering wildly,
started eagerly forward. The officers.
sword In hand. sprang In front Of them.
driving them back. The marine officer
aft brought his men at once to atten-
ton with a sharp word or two, and
every piece was ready in case Of dis
turbance. Pearson. white with rage at
the interruption, leaped forward.
"What Is the meaning Of this?" he
shouted. "Who has dared to interfere
In this manner?"
II, SIR" replied Coventry fearlessly,
looking up from his place by the uncOn-
scious man.
"And by what right, STRIP cried the
cnraged captain. Though you be the
son of the admiral, you shall dearly
rue this unwarranted assumption OF
authority. What excuse have you to
offer for interrupting the sentence Of a
court martial? What reason can you
urge for your presumptionT
BOAT ahoyv' cried a seaman sta.
toned at the port gangway.
"Sir," said Coventry, quietly meeting
the eye Of the thoroughly Infatuated
captain. 'ff mistake not, you will find
INV oyCuco In, fhof hnotO
"Well for you, sir, If 1t be there
Never in my twenty years Of service
have l been SO braved, and OH my own
ship too! See what boat 1t is" said the
captain, turning to one of his midship
men, land find out what Is wanted
The lad came running back presently
and saluted.
"'Tis q lady, sir-the governors
ward-Lady Elizabeth Howard. She
wishes to come OH board" he said.
LADY Elizabeth Howard! This Il
no place for women. This man is still
to be hanged. What can she wish p
exclaimed the captain, frowning.
Receive her at once, sir, beg" said
Coventry. "She has a paper-my ex
cuse, sir" he added, smiling.
"Show her ON board" said the cap
tain shortly to the midshipman. Their
he looked down on the still unconscious
form of O'Neill. "Send a surgeon here
at once, SIR" he continued, and as the
latter presented himself, "Is the mar
deadY" he asked.
mo, SIR" said the surgeon, examin
ing him hastily and making ready t.
apply some necessary restoratives. fol
which he dispatched an assistant t.
the sick bay.
Get him In shape, then, and quickly
for another attempt, for hang he shall
II he has to be held up for it!' ordered
the captain sternly.
At this moment the midshipman. fol
lowed by Lady Elizabeth. pale al
death, a blue boat cloak which belong
ed to her guardian, which she hat
caught up in the castle, fluttering IL
the breeze, her hat gone, her hair di
sheveled, her hand clutching a paper
broke through the little group.
Captain Pearson-where Is hep sh,
cried nervously. Then. as her eye.
fell on the PROSTATE form of O'NeilI
she dropped the paper to the deck
covered her face with her hands and
rocked to and fro in agony. "Oh, my
love, my love! Too late, too later sh,
walled, faltering.
mot SO. madam" said the captain
turning toward her. 1.-THE man still
lives. the surgeon assures me. He ha,
but tainted. Have you a warrant Il
stop the execution? II not 1t must g,
on. and it shall 60 hard with Major
Coventry as WELL"
THE prisoner is reprieved, sir. Her,
Is the paper" said Elizabeth, life com
ing back to her, sealed and signet
by the admiral himself. Oh, I had /
a moment since! Where has it gone 2
| Here it is. your ladyship," said ON
Of the officers. lifting 1t from the decl
| and handing 1t to her.
There" she said, presenting it Il
the captain. He opened 1t deliberate
~ and glanced over the brief cor
tents. She watched him with q nerv
BUSINESS she vainly attempted to con