Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-11-13
CHAPTER TX.
z PICTURE ON THE WALL

CHAPTER TX.
THE PICTURE ON THE WALL.
TN0 'NEILLw said the admiral, In
IO much bewilderment. Ed
WIN{RN ward, this is your friend
VRf2dD the Marquis de Richemont."
Edward, do not speak, cried Lady
Elizabeth distractedly.
"Ah, Elizabeth. my love and duty t.
you. but not speak? About what,
pray? What mean your
rs this gentleman, the Marquis de
Richemont, your friend or not, sir?
Cease this byplay, Elizabeth. l will
have an explanation" demanded the
now thoroughly aroused admiral.
"My friend? Quite so," said Major
Coventry, smiling. Though l was ig-
norant that he was a marquis, he Is
none the less welcome. l am exceed
ingly glad to see him again. You, too,
I presume, Elizabeth"
Glad even as you are" she replied
deliberately, now seeing that further
concealment was useless.
But you called him O'Neill," con-
tinued the admiral.
THAT is my name, SIR" said O'Neill
calmly, recognizing the uselessness of
further evasion. Il am one of the
Irish O'Neills, formerly of County
Clare. now in the service of the king Of
France" He could not have said it
more proudly had he been the king
himself
THE last time saw you you were
on the Ranger, that American Cont
mental ship" continued Coventry.
"As a prisoner. sir7' cried the ad-
miral.
"As an officer. my lord" answered
the Irishman.
What, sir? And now you are
Second lieutenant Of the American
Continental ship Bon Homme Richard,
Captain John Paul Jones, at your serv.
Ice" was the dauntless reply.
Good gadr' said the admiral. els It
possible? And you, Elizabeth-you
have deceived me also. You knew this
man"
Eyes. sir; but not as the Marquis de
Richemont."
you have met this gentleman be-
foreY
Eyes, SIR"
where, may ask, and whenr
about year and half since, sir.
You remember when the Maidstone
was wrecked? He saved me from
death then, and after Captain Jones
put me ashore, you know
He spared my life, too, as well, sir,
at that tme." said Coventry; ''they
both did,"
"You seem to be a good hand at saw
ing lives, Lieutenant O'Neill, marquis
de Richemont Perhaps you can think
now Of some way Of saving your own"
remarked the admiral sarcastically.
"'Tis useless to me now. my lord.
and not worth the saving" answered
the young man calmly. but I would
not have you mar the approaching
nuptials Of your son and ward by an
execution. Let me at least live until
the wedding. I shall be more willing
to die then," he added softly.
you came here for what purposeT
continued the admiral, disregarding
the latter words Of the young man As
utterly irrelevant.
ITO find out the number and force
and disposition Of the ships in the
harbor."
AT the instance Off,
Captain Jones, sir"
1.-The numbering pirater
x have resented such language and
proved It's falsity upon the person Of
your son, sir" burst out O'Neill step
ping forward. his hand upon his sword
"Shall impose the same lesson on the
father"
you are a prisoner, sir" replied the
admiral imperturbably, ''and are here
at my pleasure to receive. not to give,
lessons. Stand back. siri Sergeant,
bring in file of men for q guard. De-
liver up your sword at once, sir, to
Major Coventryv
"Your lordship u master here. I
obey" answered the Ixishman, shrug-
ging his shoulders. and. drawing his
sword. he rendered It to Major Coven-
try, who stepped forward reluctantly
to receive 1t.
Father" he said respectfully, $50
far as my knowledge goes Captain
Jones Is certainly q gentleman. Had
1t not been for his magnammity and
that Of my friend-I may stf1l call. you
that, sirY'
II am vastly honored, sir, I am
sure"
my friend, the Marquis dc Richie
mont you would be childless to-day.
Had it not been for the courage Of this
gentleman, Lady Elizabeth here
''Oh, sir" cried Elizabeth impetu-
ously. ''they are men Of honor. I pray
you. release this officer and let him
60 free. Nay, never shake your head;
ask 1t as wedding gift to me. sir"
my liberty your wedding gift made
moiselle? Neverv' intercepted O'Neill
firmly.
Say no more. either Of you" said
the admiral decisively. You sir, came
here as an enemy, a spy"
mot SO. sir. came herein the ,uri-
form Of q French officer"
But that is not the uni form Of the
flag under which you now serve" con-
tnued the admiral keenly. You may
secure some consideration, however, at
my hands as representing his majesty
the king. God bless him! by revealing
the circumstances and plans and the
ultimate purpose Of yo,ar rebellious
captain"
Clearly an impossible proposition
said O'Neill, bowling.
but, stop" said the admiral. "Now
that l recall 1t. you gave me your word
CT honor that you cam here to see
this lady"
And that is true, sir. I might have
escaped to my ship witt ease, in,pos-
session of the infOrms aion I desired