Morris tribune., 1904-01-23

"And is he well?' said the old adj
miral, striving to school himself into
composure. "That charge, you know,
Pearson. l think we need not press
it now" he added.
"No, not now, nor ever, sir,' said
Pearson mournfully. Compose your
self, my dear admiral: he"-
81 am veteran" said the admiral.
| II have looked death in the face for
fifty years Speak plainly. You would
say that he is dead"
| "Not yet, sir" answered Jones
| gently.
"Where is he? Take me to him"'
Gle lies aft there on the quarter
deck, sir" f<a,' IL ~ ~
The little group around the dying
man made way for the old admiral. He
knelt down on the deck opposite Eliz-
abeth, not needing the others, and
gazed long and earnestly in the face of
the dying officer. a
'"The last of his line" he murmured,
"and he is gone!' A single tear
! trickled down the weather beaten
! cheek and splashed upon the face of
the young man. "Will he live to know
me, think you?' said the admiral sim
ply to the surgeon.
81 think so, yes" replied the physi-
| clan. AS if he had heard the question,
Coventry opened his eyes. There was
recognition in them.
| "Father," he murmured family.
"My boy-my boy" said the admiral,
bowling his head and striving, manlike,
but in vain, to conceal his emotion.
"Ycu told me-not to see you-again.
1 tried to obey" said Coventry faint
~. 1.-The charge
Il cit is withdrawn; dismiss it. You
have done nobly, Captain Pearson
says, and fought like hero. You are
forgiven ~ commend you," said the
old man, ca itching his other hand. 5
*"Ah, so," said Coventry, smiling
YEARLY "Now must 60"
"Not YETI cried the admiral
"I-my lord"-, said the young man,
wandering again, "may it please the
court-may it please the COURT He
struggled for breath. Lift me up,"
he said. .,asHsat ,t4 a.ra@
."'Twill be his end" said the doctor,
lifting a warning finger. a
Lift me up!'' cried the dying man
more strongly than before. The ad-
miral nodded. The young Irishman
lifted him little. aGrfa. -.s.r
+ 'Higherr he cried. O'Neill lifted
him to a sitting position. :l
5s''Not guilty, my lord" said the young
man resolutelyf in loud, clear voice,
throwing his arms out before him ard
still smiling. The. blood gushed from
his lips. and when they laid him back
his plea was heard in that higher
court before which the rich and the
poor must all finally appear, befo.e
which the admiral and the sailor
equally must plead. is,-a i.s
'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away; blessed be the name Of
the Lord" said the chaplain OF the
| Scraps reverently. The men stood
around him in silence broken only
by the woman's sobs. @a
Gle has died like a hero SIR" said
| Jones at last. removing his hat. land
I venture to say that no one Of his
gallant race in all the years of their
history has ever made a better end
"Ah,'' said the admiral. rising and
mournfully regarding the little group.
Elizabeth praying by the side of his
son and O'Neill still supporting his
head, Il made my plans. tempted
this honorable gentleman to do
shameful thing. He refused, and it
has all come back upon me- I've
wrought my own undoing. gentlemen.
The hand Of God has worked his will,
not mine | am punished: am over
ruled. He has written this old man
childless:- go down to my grave alone
forever alone" ...,~. .-.. ..,s n.4. &C.,.
"Not So answered O'Neill. rising.
"You have Elizabeth. Let me. too
peace. sir"' said the old man. wav-
Ing him back. The young cling to-
gether-think of each other-there is
nothing left for the old. Our ways lie
apart. l bear you in no unkindness; |
wish you well. Elizabeth. / had hoped
to call YOU daughter. Twas my, own
pride defeated the wish. May you be
happy with this honest gentleman! He
deserves you even as did this. my SON"
"A1y father-my father cried the
girl. catching his hand. !
The old man shook his head; his lips
trembled, Gray faced and broken, all
his years upon him. he turned away
unsteadily. as if to 60. to his barge.
stop. SIR" cried Pearson .'You for
get we, are not in possession Of the
ship. We are prisoners" he whispered. |
"Ah, yes" said the admiral: ~ had
forgotten it. Well. it matters little to
me. Captain Jones'" he continued,
turning to the little Scotsman and
proffering his sword. with a painful |
gesture. 81 am your prisoner..it seems"
Sir said the little captain, and |
twenty generations of gentle, blood |
could not have done it better. ''allow
me to match the act of an American
sailor against the word of an English |
officer. You are free, my lord. Your
boat awaits you. If ! can do aught"-
D. - - l.r,