The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-04

uttESSMk1 plLS SIu)il III SlcdI Sui ~ lSCs
e2.Y What is the meaning Of
this?" He stood moment as if petri-
fed, and then came nearer. 'Who is
this person?" he demanded imperious-
". 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, would take her for bet
ter or worse as l could" replied the
Irishman smiling.
Unfortunately for you, that Is a
privilege propose to exercise myself"
said the Englishman sternly.
1.-THE world will doubtless share my
regret, sir" said the H1shman auda-
ciously, 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
are doing-an explanation, sir" asked
the officer.
81 am not accustomed to give ex-
planationS save to those who have the
right to demand Them" replied O'Neill.
81 have two rights, sir"
"They are?"
First. am betrothed to this young
lady," sail the officer. Second, this"
laying his hand upon his sword.
Either Of these may be sufficient
from ur point Of view, neither Of
them tenn mine. AS to the first, |
refer yea to the young lady herself:
l will lalHe it from her own lips or not
at all: rs to the second, you will see l
have 4 similar right of my own"
"N'..l you. Lady Elizabeth" said the
young officer, addressing her formally,
'have TIE goodness to inform me how
you came here and who this person is,
or shall l force the knowledge from
him.
eff you wish him to have the infor-
nation. ...iSs Howard, you would, /
think. bc;;er give it him. Otherwise l
do not see how he is to get it." said
O'Neil grizzly, his dark face flushing
with anger.
This gentleman" said the girl faint
~, pointing to the officer, sis Major
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-
tuncly 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. l thank you,
sir, for the reminder" answered O'Neill
Your friends on the Ranger
are all interested in your welfare, and
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.
Twill 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 lieutenant of the American
ship Ranger, Captain John
Paul jones'
"The id numbering pirater ex-
claimed Coventry hotly.
"Stop!' cried O'Neill, stepping for
ward with his hand upon his sword.
You shall neither swear before lady
nor shall you in this scandalous man.
ner disparage the ship of which l 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"
81 fight only with gentlemen" said
Coventry coldly.
my CUSTOM" replied O'Neill prompt
ly, lis in the main the same as your
own, but sometimes make exceptions,
which l am willing to do in this in
stance. l require you Immediately, in
stantly, to apologize to me for your
remarks"
''And if refuse?"
81 shall strike them down your throat
with my hand"
rs death, sir! How dare you,
beggarly adventurer, talk thus to me,
an officer a major, in the army of his
gracious majesty King George, Gov
entry. Westbrooker
If you were an angel from heaven
twould make no difference to me. for
1 would have you know, sir, that am
Of as good a house as-aye, better
than-your own, descendant of
kings
"An Irishman, 1 infer?" said Coven.
try, sneering.
You are correct, sir, and my people
have been chieftains for thirty genera
TONS"
"Ah, in IrelandY The manner of the
question made it another insult, but
O'Neill restrained himself under the
great provocadon and answered coldly:
Where else, sir, and where better?
AS for me. 1 am temporarily an officer
Of yonder ship, the Ranger, flying the
flag of the American republic, but
am lieutenant in the navy of his maj
esty Louis XVI. My father is mar
shall of France. Will you draw now"
he cried, stepping forward impetuous-
Ir