Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-11-21

RAIN, Sir, 1 TGGiu take ner Tor Gel
ter or worse as could" replied tn
Irishman smiling.
Unfortunately for you, that is ;
privilege propose to exercise myself,
said the Englishman sternly.
'"The world will doubtless share m!
regret, SIR said the Irishman auda
ciously, a bitter pang in his breast a
this unlocked for news.
"Now I'wish to- know who you are
and how you come here and what you
are doing-an explanation, STRIP asked
the officer.
II am not accustomed to give ex
plantations save to those who have the
right to demand Them" replied O'Neill
Il have two rights, SIR"
'"They areY
"F'irst. l am betrothed to 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 it from her own lips or not
at all; as to the second, you will see /
have a similar right of my own"
"Will 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 | force the knowledge from
him?"
"If you wish him ITO have the infor-
nation, Miss Howard. you would, |
think, better give it him. Otherwise
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, sis Major
Edward Coventry, the son of my guard
ian, Admiral Westbrooke."
"And your betrothed, Elizabeth; you
forget that" added Coventry"
II 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 Ergiishman in great astonish-
ment and perturbation opened his
mouth to speak, but he was interrupt
ed by the quicker IIishman.
''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
suavely. Your friends on the Ranger
are 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.
win you tell me or not, Lady Eliza
beth, who this person is and how you
came here?' said Coventry impatient
y, with mounting color at all this by-
play.
"This is lieutenant of the American
Continental ship Ranger, Captain John
Paul jones'
"The' ID numbering pirate!' ex-
laimed Coventry holly.
"Stop!' cried O'Neill, stepping for
ward with his hand upon his sword.
You shall neither swear before a lady,
lor shall you in this scandalous man
Ter disparage the ship of which l have
ne honor to be the first lieutenant nor
sperse the character of her captain. |
Withdraw your words or you shall an
Wer to me with that which hangs by
our side" |
Il fight only with gentlemen said
coventry cody.
my custom, replied O'Neill prompt
r is III tie r!ain the same as your
Wn, bCt sometimes make exceptions.
which am willing to do in this in
lance. require you Immediately, in
family, to apologize to me for your
emarks''
"And if | refuseY
II shall strike them down your throat
nth my hand"
IS death, sir! How dare you,
eggarly adventurer, talk thus to me,
n officer a major, in the army of his
raclous majesty King George, Gov
ntry, a Westbrooke!'
IF you were an angel from heaven
would make no difference to me, for
would have you know, sir, that am
as good house as-aye, a better
lan-your own, descendant of
ings"-
can Irishman, l infer?" said Coven:
y sneering.
"You are correct sir, and my people
Ave been chieftains for thirty genera
ons"
"Ah, in IrelandY' The manner Of the =
1estion made it another insult but
NELL restrained himself under the
eat provocation and answered coldly:
Where else, sir, and where better? 9
$ for me, I am temporarily an officer u
yonder ship, the Ranger. flying the O
lg Of the American republic, but / q
n lieutenant in the navy of his mai II
ty Louis XVI. My father is mar "
al of France. Will you draw nowr' a.
cried, stepping forward impetuous. J
ii