The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-05-02
An INTERCEPTED
Death SENTENCE
"A Story of Joseph Chamberlain
By JOSEPH HEATING.
By JOSEPH HEATING.
Copyright, by Joseph b. Bowles.)

0OCSoSSOSSOIIS
Copyright. by Joseph b. Bowles)
When Denis Cavanagh, the honor
able member for Rathkeale, Ireland.
left the House that night he felt tired
and lonely.
When he put his latch-key into the
door he felt as if he were letting him
self into dungeon. He struck
match and found on the hall table
the brown envelope of telegram.
Gable I'm army headquarters,
central Africa, this morning to OCal-
laghans. Their poor son Tim court
martialed and sentenced to death for
mutiny. Old people heart-broken.
Save their boy. Biddy."
This was a message TO try a man.
For Denis ample affection and admir-
alton for the loving wife who signed
ever said or did extraordinary impor-
lance in his eyes; and he took it that
she meant him to save the life of the
unfortunate Private Tim O'Callaghan
of the Seventeenth Wicklow rangers
even If he had to fight all the laws of
the British empire.
And one little thing could stop him
from saving his "misfortmate towny"
Tim might already have been shot.
The thought of this gave Denis a
twist:
"Begor! if he is-Biddyll never
speak to me agin.;
That evening at ten O'Clock saw the
honorable member for Rathkeale be-
fore a vigilant constable on guard out
side an ominously closed door.
The policeman cast wary eye upon
Denis as he came up. But all the
same, he touched his helmet respect
fully to the honorable member"
is Misther Chamberlain inside?"
said Denis, casually, as it were, throw
ing a side nod at the closed door.
'He--is-in his room, sir"
Would We tell him that Misther
Denis Cavanagh. member for Rath-
keale, would like a word with him?"
'T-dare, dare not, sir Orders
must not disturb on any account. I'm
portant orders-affairs-"
I'm going in, anyway" said Denis.
The policeman dared not lay hands
upon a member of parliament-with-
out the sergeant-at-arms beside him.
But his body shrank in agony under
his uniform as Denis-himself in a
quiver-put his knuckles TO the oak
with the whisper of a knock.
A low but penetrating Come in.'
intensified the horror of the situation.
Denis took off his hat, twisted the
door-knob, and accepted the invita-
ton.
He saw a green-shaded electric light
shining mildly upon a litter Of papers,
blue, white and yellow, and the tall,
grave statesman sitting at the table.
Mr.. Chamberlain looked pale and
tired
Well Cavanagh?"
Before ] say a word, sir ! must
ask you to put no blame on that po-
lisman outside your doore" Denis
made straight point at the shrinking
uniform at the open door He did all
he could to keep me out. faint he's
to blame for disturbing you. 'Tis I'm
to blame entirely"
Mr.. Chamberlain smiled at the earn
estness of this.
We'll, Cavanagh, I'll forgive him
for opening the door, if you'll close
it,"
Denis went to the door, winked
magnificently at the policeman, and
closed the door.
"Now-what can do for you, Cav.
anagh?"
Mr.. Chamberlain said this in the
tone of man who can do nothing at
all for the suppliant.
"Ye can do Private O'Callaghan a
good turn, sir.
Denis stood at the opposite edge of
the table, looking down over the
green-shaded lamp anxiously at the
severe expression of the great minis.
ter.
Il will spare you five minutes, Cav
anagh, but no more. Frankly, my
time is mortgaged TO the hilt."
SOS poor Tins, too. sir"
But what can l do? The court
martial sentence must be carried out, y
Mr.. Chamberlain pulled out a paper
from a bundle on his left Look at
that; and perhaps You will see. then,
the helplessness of O'Callaghan' S
case"
Denis took the paper. But the min
listers tone chilled his heart and al.
most took the sight from his eyes.
Il cant read II" said he, putting
the paper down by the lamp.
Mr.. Chamberlain gazed steadily at
Denis. He saw how keenly the Irish
man felt about this insignificant sol
der. He took up the paper and said
grayely:
The information here is precise
O'Callahan's officer gave an order
which was openly disobeyed. When
they got into camp the officer was
bound to report the INSTRUMENTATION
But as O'Callaghan's fighting record