Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-11-28
CHAPTER V.

mere! ne SACld1uGu, sup
Hi1zn,i ping short in great surprise,
VSzSsJ 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.
"NIajor Coventry! Edward" she
eried
"'Are you 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 1 could" replied the
Irishman smiling.
Unfortunately for you, that is a
privilege l propose to exercise myself"
said the Englishman sternly.
''The world will doubtless share my
regret, SIR said the Irishman auda-
ciously bitter pang in his breast at
this unlocked for news.
"Now l wish to know who you are
and how you come here and what you
are doing-an explanation, STRIP asked
the officer.
Il am not accustomed to give ex-
plantations save to those who have the
right to demand them," replied O'Neill.
81 have two rights, sir"
'"They are?'
''First, 1 am betrothed to this young
lady," said he 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 it from her own lips or not
at all; as to the second, you will see 1
have a similar right of my own"
will you, Lady Elizabeth" said the
young officer, addressing her formally,
shave the goodness to inform me how
you came here and who this person is,
or shall 1 force the knowledge from
himw
eff you wish him to have the infor-
nation, Miss Howard, you would, 1
think, better give it him. Otherwise 1
do not see how he is to get it." said
O'Neill, grimly, his dark face flushing
with anger.
''This gentleman said the girl faint
~, pointing to the officer lis Major
Edward Coventry, the son of my guard
ian, Admiral Westbrooke."
"And your betrothed, Elizabeth; you
forget that" added Coventry"
Il almost wish 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-
tunely 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 HowardY !
"Lady Elizabeth, If. you please, sir"
said Coventry.
LADY Eliza beth, then. l thank you,
mir, for the reminder" answered O'Neill
guaveIy. '"Your friends on the Ranger
are all interested in your welfare, and
] am sure they are glad In, my person
% meet with and congratula the for
inmate gentleman who aspires to your
hand" He smiled bitterly at her as he
spoke. = =
will 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
Continental ship Ranger, Captain John
Paul jones' $500:
1.-THE id numbering piratew ex-
eiaimed Coventry hotly.
~Stop" cried O'Neill, stepping for
ward with his hand upon his sword.
"1You 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
3Sperse the character of her captain,
Withdraw your words or you shall an
Bwer to me with that which hangs bv
your side"
II fight only with gentlemen said
Coventry coldly.
my CUSTOM" replied O'Neill prompt |
y, lis in the main the same as your |
own, but sometimes make exceptions.
which l am willing to do in this in. !
stance. require you Immediately, in
Stantly, to apologize to me for your
remarks"
"And if refuse?"
II shall strike them down your throat
with my hand"
as death, sir! How dare you, q
Oeggarly adventurer, talk thus TO me,
m officer, a major, in the army of. his J
gracious majesty King George, a Gov
Antry, Westbrookev
I ''If you were an angel from heaven
would make no difference to me, for
] would have you know, sir, that l am
Df as good house as-aye, a better
4han-your own, a descendant Of
San Irishman. infer? said Coven.
try, sneering.
''You are correct, sir, and my people
have been chieftains for thirty genera
tons"
"Ah in Irelan P' The manner of +ha |