The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-30

said Coventry. indicating the officer Of
the watch, the midshipman and all Of
the others. And when his request had
been complied with he added. TWAS
to save the honor Of your ward. my
lord. to insure happiness to the woman
I love more than life. to effect the es-
cape Of the man upon whom that hap
piness depended"
"Have you dared. sir" said the ad.
miral. furious with rage. ito thus de-
range my plans and disregard my or.
ders. to thwart me. to interfere be-
tween a duly constituted court and its
prisoner lie stamped his foot and
looked fiercely at his son.
"Me as WE'LL" said the captain.
Upon the deck of my own ship-to
put this dishonor upon me-"
The prisoner cried the admiral
tmpetuously. "Have him brought on
deck at once. Captain Pearson"
But your ward. my lord-she is with
him." said the captain.
Bring her. too. them" the old man
answered ~passionately.
But the crew-the men-not before
them all?" said Coventry. striving to
gain time.
Before heaven itself the offense was
given" said the admiral. losing all
control over himself In his fury, land
the punishment shall have equal pub
iicity." The midshipman who had has
tened below now came running on deck
In terror.
There's no one there. my lord!
They've gone-escaped. slr!'
"Impossiblcr' exclaimed Pearson.
Escaped" said the admiral. turning
to the captain. Had you no sentry to
watch them, sir?"
Yes. my lord, certainly" said Pear
son.
"Let him be tried and shot forth
with. then. for gross neglect of duty In
permitting
MY lord. the sentry Is innocent"
interrupted Coventry. II replaced
him. alone am guilty"
Worse and worse! You knew they
escaped. sir?' said the admiral.
Il did. Twas to prevent discovery !
took his place." replied his son. bow
Ing. Captain Pearson opened his
mouth to speak. but his superior 81.
fenced him with a wave of his hand.
A bitter fight ragged In the old mans
bosom. but he saw his duty and knew
II must be done. There was a long and
awful pause. When the admiral spoke
again II was In an altered tone. He
had regained his self control.
captain Pearson" he said slowly
and deliberately In a strained and un
natural voice. 'let the court martial
which passed judgment upon the pris
oner be reconvened at once to try Ma
Jor Edward Coventry for disobedience
Of orders In time OF war. for aiding AM
abetting the escape of an enemy AMI
for knowingly declaring a forged order
purporting to bear my signature to b
~correct-in short. for conduct unbecou
ing an officer and a gentleman"
surely not that last. my lord" sai'
Coventry, impulsively raising his hand
In depreciation.
The admiral hesitated. looking Ions
and earnestly at his handsome son
"You may leave or the part about con
duct u~nbecoming an officer and a gen
tleman, Pearson" he answered.
ihanA you. sir. said Coventry
gratefully.
Good heavens. my lordr' cried Pear
son. THE punishment Is death! l
pray you
"Silence, sir!" he cried sternly. "You
have your order. Shall l be more mer.
ciful to this gentleman than to the poor
marine | would have had shot a mo-
ment since for less than he has doneY'
"But he Is your son. Have mercy on
him, my lord!"
80 much the more imperative that
he should receive justice. not mercy,
from me. Besides. from this hour he Ii
no longer son of mlne,' said the old
man indexibly. Let the prisoner be
0pndned under double guard: you will