The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-08-29
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright By A. @. McClurg q Co..
CHAPTER xxv-continued.

II one luTHSu HcF uctu, anu lcil uCI
eyes searching the dim outline of my
face questioningly.
.Of course did everything knew"
she replied "Why should not? You
are here, Captain Carlyle, for my sake;
owe you service"
"And must be content merely with
that thought?" l urged, far from
pleased. srhis would mean that your
only interest in me arises from graft
tude."
"And friendship" her voice as conf
Dental as my own. "There is no rea-
son why you should doubt that surely
1T would be easier for me to under
stand, but for the memory of what
ANA bond slave"
"Your meaning is that true friend
ship has as a basis equality?"
"Does it not? Can real friendship
exist otherwiseY'
NO." she acknowledged gravely.
"And the fact that such friendship
does exist between us evidences my
faith in you. I have never felt this
social distinction, Captain Carlyle,
have given it no thought. This may
seem strange to you, yet is most nat
ural. You bear an honorable name,
and belong to family of gentlemen.
You held a position of command, won
by your own efforts. You bore the
part of man in revolution; if guilty
of any crime, it was political one, in
no way sullying your honor. | have
every reason to believe you were false
ly accused and convicted. Consequent
ly that conviction does not exist be-
tween us; you are not my uncle's sery-
ant but my friend-you understand
me now?"
"And you would actually have me
speak with you as Of your own class
a free man, worthy to claim your
friendship in life?"
yes" frankly, her face uplifted.
~Why should it be otherwise? No man
could have done more, or proved him
self more stanch and true. We are in
danger yet, but such peril is nothing
compared with what have escaped. /
feel that your skill and courage will
bring US safely to land. am no long
er afraid, for I have learned to trust
you. You possess my entire conf
dence."
But do you understand fully?" I
questioned ahxiously. "All / have done
for you would have been done for any
other woman under the same condi-
tlons of danger. Such service to an
other would have been a duty, and no
more. But to be with you, aiding and
protecting, has been delight, joy.
have served Dorothy Fairfax for her
own sake-not as I would any other"
ibid you not suppose knew?"
Her glance flashed into mine through
the star-gleam, with sudden message
of revealment.
"You knew-that-that it was you
personally served?"
"Of course I knew. A woman is
never unaware of such things. Now,
IL ever, / must tell you the truth. /
know you care for me, and have cared
since first we met. An interest no less
Hateful has led me to seek your ac-
quaintance. and give you my aid. Sure
ay it is not unmaidenly for me to con-
TESS this when we face the chance of
death together?"
But" I stammered, II can scarcely
believe you realize your words. FL
love you Dorothy"
"And is it not also possible for me
to lover"
"You--you mean, you love me?"
II love you-are you sorry?"
Sorry am mad with the joy of
it.; yet stricken dumb. Dorothy Fair
fax, have never even dared dream of
such message from your lips. Dear,
dear girl, do you forget who 1 am?
What my future?"
Il forget nothing" she said, proud
ly. 1T is because l know what you
are that my heart responds. Nor is
your future so clouded. You are to-
day free man if we escape these
perils, for whether Roger Fairfax be
alive. or dead, he win never seek you
again to hold in servitude. If alive he
will join his efforts with mine to OBJ
tain a pardon because of these serv-
Ices, and we. have influence in Eng
land. Yet, should such effort fail. you
are sailor. and the seas of the, world
are free. 1t is not necessary that your
vessel fly the English flag"
You give me hope-a wonderful
hope"
"And courage" her hands firmly
clasping mine. Courage to fight on
in faith. would have that my gift to
you, Geoffry. We are in peril still.
great peril, but you will face it beside
me, knowing that whether we live or
die we are together. am not afraid
any MORE"