The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-26

replied the other gratefully. "you
honor me in the thought, but II you
could l should refuse to allow II. You
are the better man. All my life ! have
been a gay. reckless, pleasure seeking
! soldier Of fortune. with never a seri.
GUS purpose until now. and now It is
too late! You are the worthy one. and
you must live to watch over and to care
for her whom we both love. Perhaps
-surely-in days to come she will for
get: time, absence. you know-she viii
reward our devotion-she must-you
will be happy His voice broke. and
be turned away his face and looked
out of the open port. Coventry SHOOK
his head.
"You know her not. sir. She r. not
for me. nor would I take her. loving
you. My love Is too deep for that. MOI
would she come. She will never forget
you" O'Neills heart leaped at this as-
surance.
The ships bell on the deck above
them struck four times. 1t was q
o'clock! There was a little silence
within the screen.
1.-THE hour approaches" said O'Neill
softly at last. II would be alone for a
few moments before-you understand
YES" said the other, rising and
pressing his hand. "Have you nothing
to say. no message to send to'-he
asked magnanimously.
"Nothing-nothing; t Is best SO. You
will come for me at the timer
Yes. and l will stand by you to the
end, like a soldier"
"You do me great honor" replied the
other thankfully. Coventry looked at
him a moment, shook his head and
turned away.
In the prayers of the young Irish
man the face Of the girl he loved would
obtrude itself. 1t seemed but q mo-
ment before he heard the tramp of
armed men coming along the deck.
They stopped before the screen. 1t
was opened. and Coventry. pale as
death, presented himself Mt the open
ing. The screen was promptly folded
back. there were marines fully armed
before it. the chaplain. too, in the
white robes of his Office.
Il am ready. gentlemen" said O'Neill
calmly. May | not go to my death
unbound?" he asked.
AT q nod from Coventry the master
at arms unlocked the letters about his
feet and hands. The prisoner took his
place in the midst Of the little squad Of
men and assembled to the spar deck.
The ships company of marines was
drawn up aft on the quarter deck.
Most Of the seamen of the crew were
arranged in orderly ranks In the star
board gangway. Forward a grating
had been rugged on the bulwarks under
the port fore yardarm. A new rope led
from the grating up through the block
in the yardarm, came inboard to m
other block under the top and thence
through a block fixed Il the deck.
Some sixty or seventy men chosen by
lot from the ships company had hold
of the rope which vas led aft along tho
port gangway. In front of the marines
stood Captain Pearson and his officers
in full uniform. The prisoner was halt
Ell before him.
care you aware. sir" said the cap,
tain gravely, that the hour for tie
carrying out of the sentence Of the
court approachesT"
"Yes. sir" answered O'Neill couI.
teously.
Have you anything to say before
that timer"
II have to thank you all for your
kindness to me: nothing else. SIR"
ALLOW me. sir" said the captain. ito
assure you of the great personal dis
taste and regret | feel at being coEi-
PEELED TO take this action"
"Your feelings do you honor. sir" r.
piled O'Neill gravely. "but it is q mat
ter of duty. Tray 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 commit
nicated with. to extend clemency 10
this Observation-Disclosures which,
Are these circumstances within the
knowledge of Lord Westbrooke. Major
Coventry answered the captain. sur
prised at the unusual nature of the ir-
%terruption.
''They are. sir"
"Have you mentioned them to hiin.
Fave you called his attention specific
Glly to them.X mean?'
tlu ur cOuttuGed.O