The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-04
ENTER MAJOR COVENTRY.

her ashore upon rocky beach four or
i've miles away from a fort at Biyken-
head which guarded the mouth of the
river which gave entrance TO the har-
Dor, not caring to venture his ship in
any closer proximity to the fortifica-
tons and the war vessels probably in
the river. 1t was risky performance
at best, but he trusted to the known
speed of the Ranger and his own sea-
manship TO effect his escape in case the
ship should be discovered and pursued
in force.
Once on shore it would not be a diff
cult matter for the lady and her maid
to procure Il conveyance to take them
to the city, little farther inland. The
melancholy duty of landing the two
women, by special request, had been al
lotted to the first lieutenant, much to
the disgust of the various midshipmen,
who conceived that the matter of TAX
ing charge of boats appertained more
properly TO one of their number.
The farewellS were soon spoken by
the grateful girl to the officers, who
had done their very best in making the
the tedium of the voyage, and to the
captain, who had been kindness and
consideration itself. The young lieu
tenant, still somewhat pale from his
adventure, had clothed himself in a
handsome full dress uniform and. with
a splendidly jeweled sword swinging
by his side, came on deck from his
cabin. the envy of all the others.
The ship had been hove to, the ac-
commodation ladder shipped, the whale
boat was lying at the gangway now,
and the three passengers at once took
their places in the stern.
"See Miss Howard safely landed, Mr.
O'Neill.'' said the solicitous captain.
leaning over the rail. land assure your
self as far as possible of her ability to
reach the town without harm and then
return at once. In any event do not
leave the beach. We will watch you,
sir"
"Aye. aye, sir" answered O'Neill.
"Shove off-out oars-give way! and
the little boat at once shot away from
the side, and, under the impetus given
by the watchful men, dashed toward
the not distant shore.
Miss Howard should have been ra-
dainty happy at leaving the Ranger
and in her proximity to Liverpool,
where she was about to meet not only
friends and family connections, but
one who was destined to be something
more. This person was Major Edward
Coventry, gallant and distinguished
young officer, the son and heir of her
guardian, Lord WeStbrooke, and to
whom for many years-from infancy.
in fact-she had been betrothed. But
an unaccountable tinge of sadness how
cred over her lovely face. though she
stroye to conceal it under an affectation
of lightness and gayety.
AS for O'Neill, lie made no effort
whatever to hide his misery. The i'm
questionable young Irishman had fallen
deeply in love with Elizabeth Howard.
He had fallen in love thousand times
before, but not in this way, and the
heart which had withstood the sue
cessful assaults of the brilliant beau
ties of the gay court of France had lit
orally succumbed at the first sight of
this beautiful English girl whom be-
nignant fortune had thrown across his
path.
She, and she only. was his fate. then
and thereafter new and hitherto
unknown feeling had been excited in
his heart at the sight Of her. In that
hour in the boat when he lay with his
head upon her knee. when he had look
ed up at her, heaven had opened before
his gaze, and to his disordered fancy
she had seemed an angel. Each pass
Ing moment discovered in her new
charm, and he loved her with the i'm !
petuosity of boy, the doting passion
of an old man and the conservation Of
a devotee.
With the daring of his race, he had
not hestitated to acQuaint the girl with
his passion. either. though it was stale
news to her. There is nothing a woman
discovers more quickly and more GER
tainly than the feelings of a man who
loves her. That she had laughed at
his ardor had not in the least deferred
him from persisting in his attentions,
which she had not found unwelcome,
for he thoroughly understood the value
of determined pursuit. She had told
him that they were like two ships sail
ing the great sea. whose paths had
pened TO cross for moment. Iney
meet, nod to each other, and pass on;
the deep swallows them up, and they
see each other no more forever.
He~had vowed and protested that it
would not be so; that England was q
little country and Admiral Westbrooke
a great man; that she could not be any
where without attracting the attention
of the world-she could by no means
hide her light; that he would withdraw
from the American service, which he
could honorably do at the expiration of
the present cruise, and search the
whole island until he found her-all of
which was pleasant for Der tn hear. of