The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-09-23
CHAPTER TX.
TIE PICTURE on THE WALL,

TIE PICTURE on THE WALL.
~ S'NEILL?" said the admiral, in
ny much bcwildcrmcnt. ED
ESanfT9a ward, this is your friend
&8S2J the Marquis de Richemont."
Edward. do not speak" cried Lady
Elizabeth distractedly.
"Ah, Elizabeth, my love and duty to
you, but not speak? About what,
pray? What mean your"
els this gentleman, the Marquis de
Richemont, your friend or not, sir2
Cease this byplay, Elizabeth. 1 will
have an eX%planation," demanded the
now thoroughly aroused admiral.
"AIy friend? Quite so,' said Major
Coventry, smiling. Though l was 1g-
norant that he n n marquis, he is
none the less welcome. l am exceed
ingly glad to see him again. You, too,
l presume, E~liZabcth?"
"Glud even as YOU arc" she replied
deliberately, now seeing that further
conccalmcnt was useless.
But o called him O'Neill," con-
tinuod the admiral.
"That is my name, sir" said O'Neill
calmly, recognizing the uselessness Of
further evasion. 81 nm one Of the
Irish O'Ncills, formerly of County
Glare, now in the service of the king of
France" lie could not have said 1t
more proudly had he been the king
himself.
"Tlc last time / saw you you were
on the Ranger, that American Cont
mental ship" continued Coventry.
"As n prisoner, sir?" cried the adj
miral.
GAS an officer, my lord" answered
the Irishman.
"What, sir? And nov you are
Second lieutenant Of the American
Continental ship Bon Homme Richard,
Captain John Paul Jones, at your serv-
icc," was the dauntloss reply.
Good gad" said the admiral. as 1t
possible? And you, Ellzabcth-you
have deceived me nlso. You knew this
man!"
Eyes, sir; but not as the Marquis de
Richemont."
"You have met this gentleman be.
forc?"
"Yes, sir"
"Whcre, may I ask, and when?"
"About n year and q half since, Sir.
You remember when the Maidstone
was wrecked? He saved mo from
death then, and after Captain Jones
put me ashore, you know
"He spared my life, too, as we'll sir,
Mt that time" said Coventry; "they
both did"
you seem to be a good hand at saw
ing lives, Lieutenant O'Neill, marquis
dc Rlchcmont. Perhaps you can think
now of some way Of saving your own"
remarked the admiral sarcastically.
otis useless to me now, my lord,
and not worth the saving" answered
the young man calmly. "But 1 would
not have o mar the approaching
nuptials of your son and ward by an
execution. Let me Mt least live until
tho wedding. l shall be more willing
to die thcn," he added softly.
"You came here for what purposeT
continued the admiral, disregarding
the latter words of the young man as
utterly irrelevant.
"To find out the number and force
and disposition Of the ships in the
harbor."
"At the instance off,
Captain Jones, sir"
1.-THE numbering pirate!"
II have resented such language and
proved its falslty upon the person Of
your son, sir" burst out O'Neill step
ping forward, his hand upon his sword.
Shall 1 impose the same lesson on the
father?"
"You are a prisoner, sir" replied the
admiral imperturbably, land are here
at my pleasure to receive, not to give,
lessons. Stand back, sir! Sergeant,
bring In a file Of men for a guard. De-
liver up your sword at once, sir, to
Major ~Coventryv
"Your lordship is master here. !
obey" answered the Irishman, shrug-
cling his shoulders, and, drawing his
sword, he rendered it to Major Coven-
try, who stepped forward reluctantly
to receive 1t.
Gather" he said respectfully, $50
far as my knowledge goes Captain
Jones is certainly a gentleman. Had
1t not been for his ~magnanimity and
that of my friend-I may still call you
that, sirT"
81 am vastly honored, sir, I am
sure"
tiny friend, the Marquis de Richie
mont, you would be childless today.
AIau IL hoI ueei lor inc courage OIL tnlS
gentleman, Lady Elizabeth here
ooh, sir" cried Elizabeth impetu-
ously, they are men of honor. / pray
you, release this officer and let him
go free. Nay, never shake your head;
I ask 1t as n wedding gift to me, SIR"
"Afy liberty your wedding gift, made
moiselle? 'Neverl" interrupted O'Neill
firmly.
"Say no more, either Of you" said
the admiral decisively. "You, sir, came
here as an enemy, a spy"
moi so, sir. I came here in the uni
form Of n French officer"
but that is not the uniform Of the
flag under which you now serve" con-
tnued the admiral keenly. "You may
secure some consideration, however, at
my hands as representing his majesty