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

STd.GS0 ascending night or worn
stone steps and going through long,
dark passage. "A great door was thrown
open at the end and he was confronted
by blaze of light which dazzled him
at first, until. his eyes becoming accus-
toned to the illumination, he realized
that he stood on the threshold of
splendid hall in the old keep, which
had possibly once been the bunquetng
hall Of the castle. Long lancet win
dows upon one side, their loaded frames
filed with rich painted glass. looked
out upon the sea- whose waves beating
ceaselessly Ipon the bluff below filed
the room with subdued murmur like
strain of hushed and vibrant music,
such was the elevation Of the tower
The room was massivcly and splen-
didly furnished with heavy antique
furniture. The stone walls were COW
cred with hanginCs of rich old tapestry
from the famous looms of Arras. Here
and there W ere portraits of distinguish
ed members Of the Westbrooke family
women renowned for their lustrous
beauty or men who. holding the castle
at different times, had made their
names famous by their bravery and
skill. The prisoners feet sank into a
thick, soft, luxurious carpet stretched
upon the stone flags of the old floor.
Writing at n large table standing
near the center of the room and COW
erred with condelabra sat a bewigged
old man of commanding presence dress
cd in a naval uniform covered with or
ders and STAYS hespesking high rank
Farther away, with her back turned
to the light and to the door by which he
had entered young woman sat, ap-
parently reading intcntly. One glance
at the graceful curve of her neck and
the exquisite Doise of her head told
him It was she. Forgetful of every
thing else, he would have stepped for
ward had it not been for the restrain
ing hand of the sergeant.
1.-The prisoner, m lud," said the lat
ter, saluting.
The admiral continued his writing a
moment and then, looking up, fixed his
eyes keenly upon the young man. His
first glance told him that he had TO
deal with no ordinary prisoner. He
rose at once and bowed with the cour-
tesy Of finished gentleman.
"Huve the goodness to step forward,
sir a ~ be seated" he said, pointing to
the chair. Sergeant, remain on guard
where YOU are
With an equally low bow TO the older
man, O'Neill took 4 few steps in his
direction and sat down on the indicated
chair in front of the admiral, facing
him and tbs woman beyond, who, still
intent upon her book or lost in thought
had not yet noticed his entrance. Pris-
oners, in fact, being everyday occur
rences NJ the castle in these troublous
times, had ceased to interest her. Still
the unusual complasance of the old
man as expressed by his voice and
manner attracted her attention. She
looked up from the book without turn
ing her head and listened
Il am sorry to subject you to any
annoyance, sir" continued the admi
raj but the rules are very strict, and
l must abide by my own regulations
We apprehend descent upon our
coast by the notorious piEatc. John
Paul Jones"-O'Neill started violently
and bit his lip, but said nottingham
it is my duty to take unusual precau-
TONS" added the speaker Il must
ask your name, your station and bust
ness here"
Il am tho said O'Neill quietly, but
with his glance fixed on the powdered
head showing over the chair back OPP
posite him,
There was a commotion at the other
side of the table, Lady Elizabeth
sprang to her feet with hurried eX-
clamation, dropped her book to the
floor and then turned quickly and step
ped toward the other two. O'Neill and
the admiral both rose at the same
time.
She was on grande tenue, her hair
rolled high and powdered jewels spar
king about the snowy throat, which
rose from the pale blue silk of her
corsage.
at is she cried
"The Marquis de Richemont. at your
service. madomoiselle." O'Neill inter
ruptcd quickly, bowling low before her,
fearing lest in her surprise she would
betray him,
Good heavens, Elizabeth, what is