Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-12-12


chalantly helped himself to a pinch OF
snuff. An accurate observer would
have noticed that the trembling of his
hands belied his simulated calmness.
1t was out now! What would the
man say or do? Elizabeth sank back
appalled,. So this was the condition
this was the test. He was to choose
between her and black treachery-dis
hon2rI His answer, what would it be-
Had her idol feet of clay, after ALL
Her fate hung in the balance She
could never survive his shame If he
fell; if not-ah! ---..,,.
O'Neill released the admiral at once
stared at him long moment in horri
fed silence. shrank away from him
and sank down in the chair and buried
his face in his hands for little space
His two auditors waited, hope for diff.
ferent results trembling in either heart
Presently he looked up and rose to his
feet.
"Treachery -dishonor-shame! And
with her innocence and youth and
beauty you bait your trapy' CALCULATED
J O'Neill brokenly. The admiral still
played with his snuffbox. his eyes
averted, his hands trembling still. Was
1t age or
ooh, my God. my Godv continued
the sailor. stricken to the very heart.
ITO raise my hopes to such pitch
to put the cup of happiness to my very
llps-to open the gates of heaven in my
very presence, and couple your propo-
sitions with this-this infamy! | am
lover, sir, you know it WE'LL but you
should not have forgotten that am,
before everything else, gentleman.
How could you do it? 1t ill becomes
your years. he went on impetuously,
in mounting indignation. Il am your
prisoner-your captive, but knew not
that misfortune gave you right to in
suit me thus. My lord, my lord, the
ladder upon which you put my feet
leads down, not up. He'll, not heaven,
is its end.!''
'"Thinkv' said the admiral doggedly,
feeling the game was lost. but, like q
desperate gamester. playing on. 1.-THE
Lady Elizabeth is at the end, where'er
1t be-"
81 love her. God only knows how
Gluch | love her. From the moment /
saw her have had no thought but for
her. could not look her in the face
and be guilty of this thing" The girl
in the picture almost cried aloud for
Joy in this triumph of her lovers hon.
or.
''She shall never know" replied the
admiral II will pledge my word of
honor"
The honor Of the tempter for the dis
honor of the tempted! O'Neill laughed
bitterly
ut has not in forty years Of service
been called in question" replied the
old man. sitting his growing shame.
'Nor has mine" said O'Neill until
this hour. You are her guardian, an
old man. Your gray hairs should pro-
Fect you, bu! It's well for you that l
have no swetd, for swear l would
plunge it first into your heart and then
into my OWN
'Think what it is l Offer" persisted
the other. Compare it to what you
now have in the way of worldly hon
Or What do you care for that bit of
striped bunting and those beggarly reb-
els who have presumed to declare a re-
public? What is republic anyway,
and what function has it in gentle
mans life, pray? What have we to
do with the common people? What
are their aspirations to you? What af-
filiations have you for that low born
gardener. turned pirate and buccaneer
to ravage our coasts. dishonor our flag?
This is the kingdom in which you were
born. Here your rightful allegiance is
due. j offer you for the giving up Of
which possesses you the
favor of your king and the hand of the
you love, every earthly thing
to make you happy. You are an exile,
a wanderer. Il soldier of fortune.
give you a country again
',,And do you. man Of honor. advise ,
me to-
''DamlS, ton. sir! l advise nothing
OuNI' hC NSSISIOu LSrtS Will yOu.
cab. thought so. And what would
Tou do in my place, sir?"
I'm not there, thank God!' said the
I'D man fervently. And repeat-you
must decide yourself"
every good, sir. 1t is true that like
lot that republic. Its principles are
lothing to me. But have found that
gardeners son manage. gentle
nan! You have called ME a landlesS
NAN. an exile, a soldier of fortune
hat, too. is true. But to Captain Jones
nd his service have pledged my hon
r; It's al | have. The stars and stripes
re- become my flag. | wea" the uni
orm. | eat the bread of the United
tates. You may break my heart. de-
troy my life. You cannot break my
7ord There is not power and place
nough in the three kingdoms-no, not
ven on their throne = not beauty
nough even in Elizabeth Howard to
empt me. to compel me to Go that.
az no more. You have your answer!'