Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-12-12
CHAPTER X1.
o'NEILL WILL KEEP HIS HONOR.

kEMSIMNV ana was prepared 10 make the
(SESl assault upon the Notifications
of O'Neill's honor at the most con-
venient season. In order to have a
clear field for his operations, he had
dispatched his son upon an errand
which would necessitate his absence
until the evening. 1t had been with
his full knowledge that his captive
had been allowed to meet and converse
with his ward. He trusted more to the
destinations of that young woman to
effect his end than to any other known
agency, in fact.
Beauty and affection when allied
have ever been most potent weapons,
even when used to promote the cause
of treachery and dishonor. Not that
the admiral himself would have done
anything he considered dishonorable
He would rather have cut off his right
hand, which had done such stout serv-
ice for his king; he would sacrifice his
life. his sons life, anything rather
than leopard it, but he would not hest
tate to cajole the young Irishman into
betraying his leader if he could.
Though he should despise him if he
acceded to the terms he would propose,
yet he would not refrain from making
use of him even to his own undoing. if
possible. Twas the custom of war.
and the obloquy which in similar in
stances has ever been heaped upon the
tempted has not seemed to attach it.
self to the tempter under such cOndi-
lions.
Still the admiral did not rejoice in
the situation. and be could not make
up his mind just how much it was
necessary to offer He had rather an
uncomfortab bic feeling that he could go
very far and then not succeed after all.
Yet the grea tness of the stake for
which he played. he thought. would
Justify his action, for the person of
John Paul Jones was certainly more
coveted than that of any other man
who had ever Warred against the Eng ;
lish flag. The governor had under his
Immediate command two excellent |
Scraps, forty-four, and
the Scarborough, twenty-eight-and if |
through his planning and foresight ,
they should capture Jones and his
ships he might aspire to any honor in
the gift of the king.
Good morning. my dear marquis"
he said pleasantly as soon as the young
lieutenant was ushered into the Office
Good morning to your lordship." an
swered O'Neill bravely.
Il have sent for you to give you the
run of the castle today continued the
much to the prisoners sur
prise. 81 shall be occupied with prep
aratiOns rendered necessary by the ad-
vent of your friends the Americans.
and urgent business required that
dispatch your acquaintance, my Sen !
On an erraud which will keep him
2"-"y NTH evening. Meanwhile l
cave you to the tender mercics of my
ward. the Lady Elizabeth. In the even
ng shall have something of great i'm
oortance to say to you. You will give
ne your parole. of course. and trust
hat you may have pleasant day"
''In the presence of Lady EliZab beth,
sir, all moments are hours Of pleasure
can never sufficiently thank you for
FOUR indulgence. You have crowned
he victim with a chapIel of roses be-
'ore offering him upon the altar" an
;wered the bewildered officer He sus-
)ected something, but in the thought
IF another day with his hearts desire
le resolutely put aside all other things
one day. in the strain of life, so much
gained!
"Never mind about the altar now"
aid. the admiral Enjoy the day, and
perhaps the termination of it may fit
is beginning.
Such Il day as the two young people
passed together comes not often in
'arthly calendars. There was one sub
ect which was forbidden them by hon
II and discretion. They therefore talk
ID of other things and thought only of
hat. and the restraint in which each r
vas held made their true opinions as
pen to each other as the day itself.
hey wandered together about the cas-
lie walls, gazcd out upon the sparkling /
ca and allowed themselves to dream
hdl the uay WOulu never eDO. ln0y
orgot the black future and lived only
n tie heeting moments of the present. g
lis the habit of youth and love-
When the night fell they separated I
to meet again by her ap- Z,
ointment in half an hour in the great +
all, for what reason he knew not. That y
he wished it was sufficient for him. +
here had come into Elizabeth'si head
quaint conceit She wished to sur
rise him. AS she left him she ran r
astily to the ancient wardrobe in her
rivate apartment. in which. with the
rudent forethought of her ancestors. r.
er mothers wedding robe was laid
way in sprigs of lavender. Hastily i
offing her own garments and assisted
y the skillful fingers of her maid. she i,
rraFed herself therein
The body of the dress was of heavily .
rocadcd white satin. worn over mod. I,
rate hoops; the bodice was cut low
nd square across the neck and shout
ers and terminated in pointed q
tomacher Of delicate pale blue. laced