Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-30

[INs% ping short in great surprise.
ksssssMsa;ssss..1 "What is the meaning of
| this? ?" He stood moment as if pctri-
1ieu, and then came nearer. "Who is
this person. he demanded impcrious-
ly. Elizabeth started violently.
Major Coventry. Edward.' she
cried.
care you Lady MADAME" said
O'Neill in equal surprise, addressing
the astonished girl and paying no at
tention 70 the officer.
For what else do you take her. sir?"
interrupted the officer, bristling with in
uiGnation.
Faith. sir I would take her for bet
ter or worse as | could" replied the
lrishman smiling.
"Unfortunate for you, that is a
| privilege | propose to exercise myself"
said the Englshman sternly.
The world will doubtless share my
regret sir" said the 1rishmar auda-
ciorsly, a bitter pang in his breast at
this unlocked for news.
Now | wish to know who you are
and how you come here and what you
nrc doing an explanation, SIR asked
the officer.
Il am not accustomed to give eX-
plantations save to those who have the
right to demand them replied O'Neill.
II have two rights sir"
"They are?'
"Filst, | am botrothed 10 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.
refer you to the young lady herself:
! will have il from her own lips or not
at all, as to the second. you will see l
have a similar right of my own"
"W'il 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 I force the knowledge from
hm?"
IF you wish him to have the nfor-
nation, Miss Howard, you would. l
think, better give it him. Otherwise l
DO not see how he is to get it," said
C'Neill primy, his dark face flushing
with anger.
This gentleman" said the girl faint
L., pointing to the officer, rs Major
Edward Coventry, the son of my guard.
ian. Admiral Westhrooke"
and your betrothod, Elizabeth; you
fois get 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 if you please, sir"
said Coventry.
Lady Elizabeth, then. | thank you,
sir for the reminder" answered O'Neill
suavcly. Your friends ON the Ranger
arc all Interested in your welfare. and
l 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
- go !NN A'l' nv VI lhii laduN J.IlId-
both, who This person is and how YOU
came here" said Coventry inpatient
~ with mounting color at all this by
play.
This is lieutenant of the American
Continental ship Ranger, Captain John
Paul jones'
The ID numbering piratc. cx.
claimed Coventry hotly.
stop" cried O'Ncill, stepning 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.
lthdraW your words or you shall an
sWer to me with that which hangs by
your side"
i heht only with gentlemen" said
Coventry coldly
My custom" replied O'Neill promnt
~, is in the main the same as vour
own, but sometimes make exceptions.
which | am willing TO do in ths i'm
stance. ] require YOU immediately. in
stantly, to apologize to me for your
remarks"
And If rofuse?"
Il shall strike them down your throat
with my hand
"'S death, Sir. How dare you, a
becgarly adventurer, talk thus to me.
an officer IA major, in the army of his
gracious majesty King George, a Gov
entry, Westbrooke"
III you We're an angel from heaven
'twould make no difference to me, for
l would have you know, sir, that | am
or as good a house as-aye, a better
than--your own, descendant OF
kings
IAN Irishman, | infer" said Coven.
try, sneering.
You are correct, sir, and my people
have been chieftans for thirty genera
lions"
"Ah, in Ireland?" The manner Of the
question made it another insult. but
ONeill restrained himself under the