Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-23

this person.! he demanded imperlOuS-
ly. Elizabeth started violently.
major Coventry. Edward" she
cried.
Are you a Lady MADAME said
O'Neill in equal surprise, addressing
the astonished girl and paying no at
tention to the officer.
For what else do you take her, sir?''
interrupted the officer, bristling with in
dignation.
Faith. sir, l would take her for bet
ter or worse as / could" replied the
Irishman smiling.
unfortunately for you, that is a
privilege propose to exercise myself"
said the Englishman sternly.
THE world will doubtless share my
regret, sir" said the Irishman auda-
ciously, bitter pang in his breast at
this unlocked for news.
"Now l wish to know who you are
and how you come here and what you
are doing-an explanation, sir" asked
the officer.
II am not accustomed to give ex-
plantations save to those who have the
right to demand Them" replied O'Neill.
Il have two rights, sir"
''They are"
First, am betrothed to this young
lady," said the officer. Second, this"
laying his hand upon his sword.
Either Of these may be sufficient
from your point of view, neither of
them from mine. AS to the first, l
refer you to the young lady herself:
I will have 1t from her own lips or not
at all; as to the second, you will see I
have a similar right Of my own"
"Will you, Lady Elizabeth" said the
young officer. addressing her formally,
"have the goodness to inform me how
you came here and who this person is,
or shall l force the knowledge from
himw
'If you wish him to have the infor-
nation. Miss Howard, you would, I
think, better give 1t him. Otherwise
do not see how he is to get it." said
O'Neill grimly, his dark face flushing
with anger.
This gentleman" said the girl faint
ly, pointing to the officer. lis Major
Edward Coventry, the son of my guard
ian, Admiral Westbrooke."
And your betrothed, Elizabeth; you
forget that" added Coventry"
Il almost wish l could" she replied
sharply, gathering courage. "You re-
mind me Of it too constantly for it to
be pleasant and at no time so inoppor-
timely as at the present"
The Englishman in great astonish-
ment and perturbation opened his
mouth to speak, but he was interrupt
ed by the quicker Irishman.
"Why so. Mistress Howard"
Lady Elizabeth, II you please, sir"
said Coventry.
Lady Elizabeth, then. l thank you,
DIR, for the reminder" answered O'Neill
suavely. "Your friends on the Ranger
are all interested in your welfare, and
I am sure they are glad In my person
to meet with and congratulate the for
tunate gentleman who aspires to your
hand" He smiled bitterly at her as he
spoke.
will you tell me or not, Lady Eliza
beth, who this person Is and how you
came here? said Coventry inpatient
~, with mounting color at all this BY
play.
This is a lieutenant of the American
Continental ship Ranger. Captain John
Paul Jones"-
1.-THE id numbering piratew ex-
claimed Coventry hotly.
stop" cried O'Neill, stepping for
ward with his hand upon his sword.
you shall neither swear before a lady
nor shall you in this scandalous man.
ner disparage the ship of which have
the honor to be the first lieutenant nor
asperse the character Of her captain.
Withdraw your words or you shall an
swer to me with that which hangs By
your side"
Il fight only with gentlemen" said
Coventry coldly.
my CUSTOM" replied O'Neill prompt
~, lis in the main the same as your
own, but sometimes make exceptions,
which I am willing to do in this In
stance. I require you Immediately, in
stantly, to apologize to me for your
remarks"
And II I refuseY
II shall strike them down your throat
with my hand"
as death, sir! How dare you, q
beggarly adventurer. talk thus to me,
an officer. major, in the army of his
gracious majesty King George, a Cow
entry, Westbrookew
III you were an angel from heaven
'twould make no difference to me, for
l would have you know, sir, that am
OF as good house as-aye. a better
than-your own. a descendant At
kingS'-
IAN Irishman, inferY' said Coyen-
try, sneering.
you are correct, sir, and my people
have been chieftains for thirty genera
TONS"
al, IA AACAon0t uc LuduueE VI I0S
question madeTit another insult, but
O'Neill restrained himself under the
great provocation and answered coldly:
Where else, sir, and where betterf
As for me, am temporarily an officer
Of yonder ship, the Ranger, flying the
nag Of the American republic, but
am lieutenant in the navy of his mai.
esty Louis XVI. My father Is a mar
shall Of France. VIII You draw nowY'
he cried, stepping forward impetuous-
".
"A brilliant array. Of titles. surelyi
Pity 1t lacks other confirmation than
your word. I scarcely comprehend the
catalogue" replied Coventry coldly.
II shall endeavor to enlighten you as
to my credibility with this" said
O'Neill, drawing his sword. "Now will
you fight or notf"
"And If I persist in my refusalT'
asked Coventry, who was playing for
time.
"At this juncture l shall be under
the painful necessity of killing you in
the presence of your betrothed; so
draw, my dear sir, II not for honor,
for
'Whatr'
."Lifew
ION guardw cried the Englishman.
VRvt hi l..