The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-10-09
CHAPTER XII.

IL miral roughly, furious with
SI-=--T rage at being baked in this
go way, though, In spite of him
sell, his heart eXulted in the nobility
of the man. Look, you beggarly Irish
man. he exclaimed, turning the sur
prised young man about before he
could recover himself Look on the
picture of her whom you reject! Gaze
upon it! If you love her, say whether
or no your high flown sentiments of
honor can stand against that pros
pect." 1t was his final appeal, win or
lose. He had staked all upon the throw
There in the great frame stood the
most beautiful picture that the eyes of
either man had ever seen. Elizabeth
was standing. One tiny hand clutched
tightly her heaving bosom; the other
arm was stretched out with appraised
palm like a goddess in command. The
light of the fiickering candles cast sub
tie shadows upon her face. The dusk
of the room intensified the illusion and
spiritualized her beauty. O'Neill look
ed at her with all his life in his gaze.
So glorious, so splendid, so perfect
creature would shake the very soul of
honor itself!
The admiral had played his last card.
This was the end of his resource, and
he watched the Irishman with all the
intensity of tiger about to spring on
its prey. The moments fed. He knew
that he had lost Elizabeth had risen
IN the stress of her anxiety. The strain
had been too much for her. She had
been about to intervene between them
when the glances of the two men ar
rested her step. She waited, one little
foot outstretched, her body leaning
forward slightly, picture of triumph,
her eyes as two lambert flames playing
upon her lover. He watched her in
awestruck silence sank on his knees,
stretched out his arms, murmuring
softly:
Thou knowest that l love thee!
have dreamed sometimes that in hap
pier days thou mightest have given me
thy heart, but could not take it with a
bar sinister of shame between us!
No Was she moving? Was that
some trick of the wavering light?
Good heavensr' cried O'Neill fear
fully, rising. "See-is it a spirit? She
shakes her head. Look you, my lord,
she is alive. The picture fell last
night, you remember 'Tis herself!
Elizabeth. Elizabeth. you have heard
and seen-have l not decided wel?"
How dare you. my lord!" exclaimed
the girl, coming down from the dais
and stepping swiftly toward the aston
ich ,l,o clr l. hoo oh
her. How dare you make my hand
the reward of treachery, my person the
bait for dishonor? And by what right
do you dispose of me without consult
ing me? Am /. a slave, that you force
me upon this gentleman? My word is
given to your son; you yourself insisted
upon it. You would play the traitor
double and would fain make him do
the same. And for what? To compass
the death of one poor man to whom |
owe life and honor, who is only fight
ing for what he calls his freedom!
Shame upon your gray hairs, sir! Oh,
the insult 10 my modesty, to be thus
banded about between two men And
you, sir" she cried in tempestuous
passion, turning to O'Neill. "You do
me the honor to refuse me-to reject
Observation-Disclosures Howard-look
at me-you would have none of me-
"My honor cried O'Neill, amazed
at her sudden change and inconsisten.
cy.
Your honor. Have l any honor, sir?
Would you have left me shadow Of
it between you? Stand back, sir! My
lord, is it thus you discharge the trust
committed to you by my mother-to
give this gentleman opportunity to re-
turn to France and say that he has re.
fused my handT
HE shall not go back to France.
Lady Elizabeth" said the admiral
sterniy.
"Why not, pray?' asked Elizabeth,
faltering. her passionate anger check
ed by the admiral's word and look.
Because lie shall be tried and hang
ed tomorrow as an American spy or a
captured traitor, whichever he may
elect
She stood as if petrifed at these
cruel words.
''It is right, sir" said O'Neill. 81
submit. and if you would make me die
happy say that the hideous proposition
l have had from you was but the test
of my honor
"Oh, sir" cried Elizabeth in agony,
throwing herself upon her knees be-
fore the admiral, forgive me for my
wild, Incorporate speech! l know not
what | say. You have been a father
to me from the beginning, and have
ever loved you as one! l have turned
to you for everything. Unsay your
cruel words! Retract this order You
cannot condemn this honest gentle
man, Dispose of me as you will.
love him-I love him-aye, let the
truth be heard-even for his rejection
of me. Nay, had he not done SO l
would have hated him. Spare his life!
1 will marry Edward, do anything you
wish. Grant tie this BOOM
Il cannot" said the admiral slowly.
81 pity you, from my soul do, and
him as well, but dare not. There l.;
but one thing that would excuse NJ,
clemency to his majesty-there is the
alternative he has noDly rejected. Die
he must or give up his captain!'
"a thousand deaths rather than
thatw answered O'Neill. Rise, Lady
Elizabeth; your appeal is vain. Re-
joicing in your approval of my action,
thankful 10 God that have heard you
say, L love you, l shall die happy"
mo, nor said the girl, spreading her
arms protectingly before him and then
hic oct