Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-30

TuDttb ~ ANtlII Shu surviving VI klNc
Elizabeth time to collect herself, with
the appearance of the greatest sang
froid himself, though his heart was
beating so rapidly he could scarce
maintain his composure ION these is
lands has heard Of the beauty of Lady
Elizabeth Howard. Her reputation as
a woman of charm has even extended
to the continent whence ! 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, Eliza bethf"
persisted the admiral sternly, his sus.
picons aroused by her actions.
There was evidently some mystery
about his coming and the girl was
quick to see that to proclaim O'Neills
name and occupation would probably
place him in an embarrassing position.
to say the least She recovered herself
by a great effort and, turning languid-
~ away. remarked with well assumed
carelessness:
81? Certainly not. sir. I have never
heard of the MARQUIS de Richemont ba
fore in my life" The statement was
absolutely correct, the Irishman's rank
having been kept strictly in abeyance.
O'Nell shrugged his shoulders and ex.
tended his hands in confirmation of her
words.
why that cry, then, and your sur
prise, madam" questioned the still
unconvinced admiral.
nat I tot kor
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"
silence, sirrah" Numbered the old
admiral, who allowed no one to enter.
tain doubts of his ward but himself.
"Do you mean to imply that Lady
Elizabeth has knowledge of this gen.
tleman?'
ooh. sergeant" said the girl clasping
her hands and looking at the old vet
eran with all the fascination of which
she was capable.
"No, yer ludship. no, sir. o. course
not; certainly not. yer honor" returned
the man in great confusion. Il spoke
by way O. shown that's wot he come
for"
1T was in pursuance OF my desire to
see so great beauty that | sked the
question monsieur"
sir. Your admiration does me too
much honor" said Elizabeth courtesy
ing.
II make MP for the fact that your
reputation does your ladyship too lit
tie, then. mademoiselle. he answered
Enough Of this" said the admiral
impatienty. THE girl IL well enough.
but you didn't come here to lock at
her, did you?"
On my honor as a gentleman, mon
sieur FOR no other purpose
well. give some account of YOUR
self otherwise, and perhaps if il be
satisfactory, as you have ACCOMPLISHED
that purpose, | may send you on your
way rejoicing" said rho admiral. anus
ed at the extravaganza Of the Young
man
NO man could leave the presence OF
Lady Elizabeth Howard rejoicing,
sir"
"Damnatiou, sir" cried the governor
testify Are you going to stand hero
and handy compliments about all day
like French dancing MASTER"
Il have nothing further to urge for
my words, my lord, when my excuse
stands in your very presence.
The governor looked at the two
young people IN great perplexity.
Il fear. my dear Marquis dc Richie
mont" said he ironically, unless you
can give some more coherent account
of yourself | shall he under the pain
full necessity of having YOU locked UP.
in which case the only divinity you
will be allowed to gaze upon will he
the lovely face and figure of yonder
sergeant"
Yes, yer ludship, T. exclaimed the
sergeant. grimacing.
silence, sirrah!" Numbered the ad-
miral.
MY lord" answered O'Neill smil-
ing, lit is very simple. am an officer
in the navy of the king of France,
making tour of England for pleas
IRE. | came here 10 this town this
evening. hear of the great admiral.
Lord Westbrooke, in his great castle.
and the beauty of his ward Lady
| Elizabeth Howard. am a lover OF
the beautiful l stand on the cause
way gazing at the castle Your SOL
disrs arrest me and bring me here. |
rejoice to find Lady Elizabeth more
beautiful than have dreamed A
year and half have only intensified
! her charms"
"A year and a half, Drea ms, sirl
What mean you by that, pray? What
| have the years TO do with the natter
Did You see her year and a half
since?' cri~d the admiral suspiciously
again.
| O'Neill started 1t was a fatal slip.
but he fastened 10 repair il as best he
could
II 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 | met at
Liverpool a year and half ago an
swered O'Neill audaciously.
And who was this English officer,
pray, who displayed my picture| in
terrupted Elizabeth. with an appear
ance of great agitation.
Major Edward Coventry, made