Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-03-11

where her lips had pressed it he kisset
il himself.
In short time the prisoner was
brought forth. The court-martial, in spite
of his impassioned defense, had declared
him guilty by vote of four to one. II
had appointed daybreak on the following
morning for his execution. He had made
n formal and indignant protest against
the injustice of the sentence and had re-
| peated his request for counsel, for de-
lay in the execution until he could COM
muuicate with Commodore Pauding, or
| at leas. until he could plead his case be-
! fore the district commander. When these
| pleas had teen denied him he had refused
| to say another word. This was the end of
all his dreams and hopes, but he was de-
termned that no one should see him
blanch or quiver.
He walked across the wharf and up the
hill with as erect a bearing and as steady
a step as if he were pacing the weather
side of quarter deck. Through the
latticed window Ellen watched him with
love and pride. She would have discov-
cred herself to him, but she thought it
best not to do so, as it might attract at
tention to her and so interfere with her
plan.
SO soon as the escort had delivered him
TO the sentry he was again locked in the
strong loom When the soldiers had de-
parted old Jim unlocked the door and
entered thc room. The prisoner was off
his guard, thinking himself private. He
stood leaning against the casing looking
out o. the window He could see stretch
of the blue water of the inlet. There
lay the Ellen where he had failed. Be
yond her. swinging at her anchor, was the
Greyhound. upon which he had set forth
with such hopes of success, where he had
been so happy Well, it was all over
now. They would hang him in the MORN
ing. He had protested against it because
it was his duty and because he would
fain have lived to serve his country. But
his heart was dead within his breast,
Ellen had killed hope. trust, everything
Stranger" whispered Jim softly, II
hev somethn' fer yo'."
"For me?" asked Smith.
"A letter." said the soldier, fumbling
at the breast of his coat writ by the
young missy"
He tore it open feverishly. He glanced |
at the contents, and a look of JOY came
over his countenance.
Thank God thank God!' he murmur-
ed that she was true ~
IF you'd a knowed her as long as l
hev" said Jim severely. you'd a-knowed
there wasn't a better woman under heav-
en- than little missy
Il believe you | wronged her. Could
you bring her here for minute?"
1T would be as much as my life's
wuth," said Jim, shaking his head sadly.
Il done more than I'd ought to anyway,
but | was sorry for the girl. l let her
in"
"Was she in here?" interrupted Smith.
"Yes, while yo' was bein' tried. She
set in that cheer an writ the letter at the
table"
my friend" said Smith. 81 have no
money. | wouldn't insult you by offering
you any if | had. but l wish to give you
my watch. | want you to take it from
me as mark of my gratitude. No, don't
refuse. Time is of no value to me now.
|. die in the morning Keep it, and thank
you again and again.
Ihankee. sir, said the old man, tax
ing the watch, a handsome piece of jew
nlry. II don't need-'
But | want you to have this. | don't
know where it could be more worthily be-
slowed You did it for her. Good-by."
He deftly ushered the soldier to the
door. lie wanted to be alone. The refer
ence to the cot was plain to him. The
girl he loved was not false. She had
been in that room. The keys to freedom
lay there. He went to the table where
she had leaned her arm and kissed the
place where she had written the letter.
Then and not until then did he 60 to the
cot. A loaded revolver. He was armed
for defense. An iron bar. He could
wrench off the bars of the window! Here
was a way to freedom!
Ito be continuedl