The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-24
CHAPTER XII.
r.-v 49,

Of the Look. you beggariy Irish.
mani" he exclaimed. turning the sur
prised young man about before he
could % himself. "Look on the
picture OF her whom you reject! Case
npou 1t! II you love her. say whether
u no Jour high flown sentiments Of
honor can stand against that pros
Dect." It wal his final appeal. win or
lose. He had staked all upon the throw.
There In the great frame stood the
most beautiful picture that the eyes OF
either man had ' seen. Elizabeth
was standing. One tiny hand clutchec
tightly her heavinG bosom: the other
arm was stretched nj with appraised
palm like a goddess in command. The
light Of the nickering candles cast sub
tie shadows upon her face. The dusk
Of the room intensified the illusion anG
spiritualized her beauty. O'Neill look
ed at her with all his life In his gaze
So glorious. so splendid. SO perfect /,
creature would shake the very eoul Of
honor itself!
The admiral had played his last card
snis vas the end OF his and
he watched the Irishman with all the
intensity Of a tiger about to spring on
it, prey. The moments fed. He knew
that be had lost. Elizabeth had risen
In the stress Of her anxiety. The strain
had beer too much for her. She had
been about to intervene between them
when the glances Of the W men ar
rested her step. She waited. one little
foot outstretched. her body leaning
forward slightly. a picture Of triumph.
her eyes as two lambert flames playing
upon her lover. He watched her In
awestruck silence. sank on his knees.
stretched out his arms, murmuring
softly:
Thou knowest that I love thee! I
have dreamed sometimes that In hap
pier days thou miehtest have given me
thy heart. but ! could not take II with q
bar sinister Of shame between us,
No Was she movingf Was that
some trick OF the waverlng light?
Good heavens.' cried O'Neili fear
fully. rising. .'See-is It a spirit? She
shakes her head. Look you. my lord.
she Is alive. The picture fell last
NiEht rOu tNAItlAibCt- lin GNIStiis
Elizabeth. Elizabeth. you have hears
and seen-have I not decided well?"
How dare you. my .ordr' exclaimed
the girl. coming down from the dais
and stepping swiftly toward the aston
isl,ed admiral. who shrank back from
her. How dare you make my hand
the reward OF t%reachery. my person the
bait for dIshonori And by what right
do you dispose Of me without consult.
Ing mel Am I a slave. that you force
me upon this Rentieman7 Ny word II
given to your son: you yourself insisted
upon II. You would play the traitor
double and would fain make him do
Tie same. And for what? To compass
The death OF n poor man to whom ]
life and honor. who Is only fight
Ing for what be calls his freedom!
Shame upon your gray hairs. sir! Oh.
the Insult to my modesty. to be thus
banded about between two men And
you. sir!" she cried In tempestuous
passion. turning to O'Neiil. "You do
me the honor to refuse me-to reject
me-me-me-Elixa beth H~oward-iook
at me-you would have none OF me-
my honor cried O'Neill. amazed
at her sudden change and inconsisten-
~.
"Your honor. Have ! any honor. sirf
Would you have left me a shadow Of
4 between you? Stand back. sir: Ny
eord. Ii II thus you discharge the trust
committed to you BY my mother-tU
Ueve this gentleman opportunity to ~
suru to France and say that he has n.
euseA my handT
"~t3e shall not go hack to Franco
ilady Elizabeth" said the admiral
sternly.
why not. prayT asked Elizabeth.
faitering. her passionate anger check
ed by the admiraIs word and look.
Because lie shall be tried and hang.
Cd tomorrow as an American spy or .
captured traitor. whichever he may
elect"
She stood 40 1; petri1ed at these
cruel words.
1T IL right. sir" said O'Neili. ~
submit. and IL you would make me die
happy say that the hideous proposition
! have had from you was but the test
Of my honor"
"Oh. sir" cried Elizabeth In agony.
throwing herself upon her knees be-
fore the admiral. forgive me for my
wild. Incorporate speech! I know not
what I say. You have been "a father
to me from the beginning, and | have
ever loved you as one! have turned
to you Tor everything. Unsay your
cruel words! Retract this order! You
cannot condemn this honest gentle
man! Dispose of me as you will. l.
love him-I love him-aye. let the
truth be heard-even for his rejection
OF me-! Nay. had be not done so l
would have hated him! Spare his life!
I will marry Edward. do anything you
wish! Grant me this boon!"
II cannot" said the admiral slowly.
II pity you. from my soul I do. and
him aS we'll. but | dare not. There Is