The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-18

to the continent whence l come. 1t
was in the hope of having the privilege
of seeing her that | walked up toward
the castle this evening. | have not the
honor of her acquaintance, monsieur"
"Do you know this man, Elizabeth?'
persisted the admiral sternly his sus-
picions aroused by her actions.
There was evidently some mystery
about his coming, and the girl was
quick to see that to proclaim O'Neilrs
name and occupation would probably
place him in an embarrassing position,
to say the least. She recovered herself
by great effort and, turning languid-
ly away, remarked with we'll assumed
carelesSneSS:
81? Certainly not, sir. have never
heard of the Marquis de Richemont be-
fore in my life'' The statement was
absolutely correct the Irishman's rank
having been kept strictly in allegiance.
O'Neill shrugged his shoulders and ex
tended his hands in confirmation Of her
words.
"Why that cry, then, and your sur
prise, MADAME" questioned the still
unconvinced admiral.
81 know not, sir. ! must have been
dreaming, and the sound of a strange
voice startled me-"
BEG pardon, M lud,'' said the SER
geant, saluting eyer worship, he aXed
If Lady Elizabeth Howard lived ere
wen he was down in the courtyard"
"SiIence. sirrahr' Numbered the old
tain doubts of his ward but himself.
"Do you mean to imply that Lady
Elizabeth has knowledge Of this gen.
tlemau:"
"Oh, ser@eantw said the girl, clasping
her hands and looking at the old vet
eran with all the fascination of which
she was capable.
mo, yer ludship, no, sir. o. course
not; certainly not, yer honor" returned
the man ia great confusion. 81 spoke
by way o shown that's wot he come
for
at WIS in pursuance Of my desire to
see so Sat a beauty that I asked the
question. monsieur"
"Sir, your admiration does me too
much honor" said Elizabeth, courtesy
ing.
81 make Up for the fact that your
regulations does your ladyship too lit
tie, then. mademoiselle," he answered.
Enough Of this" said the admiral
impatiently. 'The girl is we'll enough,
but you didn't come here to look at
her, Gid yoI?"
ION nv t!onor as a gentleman, mon
sieur, for no other purpose"
"Well, give some account Of your
self otherwise, and perhaps if it be
satisfactory, as you have accomplished
that purpose, ! may send you on your
way rejoicing" said the admiral, anus
ed at the extravaganza of the young
man.
"No man could leave the presence of
Lady Elizabeth Howard rejoicing,
sir"
"Damnat1on. STRIP cried the governor
testify. "Are you going to stanu hc-
and handy compliments about all IT,.
like :; French dancing master?"
Il have nothing further to urge 70
my words, my lord, when my excus,
stands in your very presence"
The governor looked at the two
young people In great perplexity.
81 fear, my dear Marquis de Richie
mont" said he ironically. unless you
can give some more coherent account
of yourself I shall be under the pain
full necessity of having you locked up.
in which case the only divinity you
will be allowed to gaze upon will be
the lovely face and figure of yonder
sergeant"
Eyes, yer ludship, r. exclaimed the
sergeant, grimacing
"Silence, sirrahv' Numbered the adj
miral.
"My lord" answered O'Neill, smil-
ing. ''it IL very simple. am an officer
In the navy of the king of France,
making a tour of England for pleas
ure. I came here to this town this
evening. hear Of the great admiral.
Lord Westbrooke, in his great castle,
and the beauty Of his ward, Lady
Elizabeth Howard. 1 am lover Of
the beautiful stand on the cause
way gazing at the castle. Your SOL
diers arrest me and bring me here.
rejoice to find Lady Elizabeth more
beautiful than I have dreamed. A
year and half have only intensified
her charms"
ga year and a half! Dreams, sir!
What mean you by that, pray? What
have the years to do with the matter?
Did you see her year and half
since?' cried the admiral suspiciously
again.
O'Neill started; it was a fatal slip.
but he FASTENED to repair it as best he
could.
81 have seen her picture, sir"
"And where, pray, have you seen her
picture?'
''In the possession of an English Of
fcer friend of mine whom l met at
Liverpool year and half ago." an
swered O'Neill audaciously.
'And who was this English officer,
pray. who displayed my pictures? in
terrupted Elizabeth, with an appear
ance of great agitation.
Major Edward Coventry, made