The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-10-02

ICTSyFNl and was prepared to make the
49, assault upon the Notifications
Of O'Neill's honor at the most con-
yeniept 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 10 cajole the young Irishman into
betraying his leader if he could.
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-
tons.
Still the admiral GId not rejoice in
the situation, and he could not make
up his mind just how much it was
uncomfortable feeling that he could go
very far and then not succeed after all.
Yet the greatness 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
frigates-the Scraps, fortyfour, 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 brayely.
Il have sent for you to give you the
run of the castle today continued the
admiral, much to the prisoners sur
prise. II shall be occupied with prep
Rrations rendered necessary by the ad-
vent of your friends the Americans,
and urgent business required that 1
dispatch your acquaintance. my son,
on an errand which will keep him
away until evening Meanwhile
leave you to the tender mercieS of my
ward, the Lady Elizabeth. In the even
ing shall have something of great i'm
portance to say to you. You will give
me your parole, of course, and 1 trust
that you may have a pleasant day"
I'm the presence of Lady Elizabeth,
sir, all moments are hours of pleasure.
l can never sufficiently thank you for
your indulgence. You have crowned
the victim with a chaplet of roses be-
fore offering him upon the altar" an
swered the bewildered officer. He sus-
pected something, but in the thought
of another day with his hearts desire
he resolutely put aside all other things
-one day, in the strain of life, so much
gained!
Never mind about the altar, now"
said the admiral. Enjoy the day, and
perhaps the termination of it may fit
it's beginning"
Such day as the two young people
passed together comes not often in
earthly calendars. There was one SUBJ
ject which was forbidden them by hon.
or and discretion. They therefore talk
ed of other things and thought only Of
that, and the restraint in which each
was held made their true opinions as
open to each other as the day itself.
They wandered together about the cas-
tie walls, gazed out upon the sparkling
sea and allowed themselves to dream
that the day would never end. They
forgot the black future and lived only
In the fleeing moments of the present