Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-08-06
CHAPTER XxV-Continued.
Observation-Disclosures
Uoyyright by a. C. McClurg & Co.

She turned her head, and l felt her
,vps searching the dim outline of my
tsce OuestiOningly.
"Of course l did everything I knew"
,5e replied. "Why should 1 not? You
are here, Captain Carlyle, for my sake;
lowe you service"
"Aud must l be content merely with
that thought?" 1 urged, far from
nIaased. "This would mean that your
orIv interest in me arises from graft
ude"
"And friendship" her voice as conf
dentiaI as my own. There is no rea-
son why you should doubt that surely"
ST would be easier for me to under
stand, but for the memory of what l
ana bond slave"
Your meaning is that true friend
shin has as a basis equality?"
Does it not? Can real friendship
exist Otherwise?
NO" she acknowledged gravely.
sand the fact that such friendship
does exist between us evidences my
faith in you. l 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 a family of gentlemen.
You held position of command, won
By your own efforts. You bore the
part Of a man in revolution if guilty
Of any crime, it was political one, in
10 way Sullying your honor. / have
every reason to believe you were false
" accused and convicted. Consequent
" that conviction does not exist be-
tween US; you are not my uncle's serv-
ant, but my friend-you understand
ne 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?"
Eyes" 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 l have escaped.
feel that your skill and courage will
bring US safely to land. l am no long
er afraid, for I have learned to trust
you. You possess my entire conf
dence"
But do you understand fully?" /
Questioned anxiOusly. "All have done
for you would have been done for any
other woman under the same cOndi-
tons 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 a delight, joy.
Ihave served Dorothy Fairfax for her
own sake-not as l would any other"
Did you not suppose l knew"
Her glance flashed into mine through
The Star-gleam, with sudden message
Of revealment.
You knew-that-that it was you
Personality served?"
'Of course 1 knew. A woman is
never unaware of such things. Now,
ever l must tell you the truth. /
NOW you care for me, and have cared
auce nrst we met. An interest no less
"'etul has led me to seek your ac-
sualntanCe, and give you my aid. Sure
II Is not unmaidenly for me to con-
1eSS this when we face the chance of
Death tOgether?"
But" | Stammered, ST can scarcely
oeleye you realize your words. IL
o7e you Dorothy"
And is it not also possible for me
70 lOve?"
1ou-you mean, you love me?"
love you-are you sorry?"
Sorry I am mad with the JOY of
yet stricken dumb. Dorothy Fair
al, have never even dared dream of
,-'n message from your lips. Dear
Sf girl, do you forget who 1 am?
wat my future?''
forget nothing" she said, proud
1t is because 1 know what you
y mat my heart responds. Nor is
.'| future so clouded. You are to-
rree man If we escape these
rus for whether Roger Fairfax be
N~S~Nf IC Will uSScI SSSh yOu
san 10 hold in servitude. If alive he
-, Join his efforts with mine to OBJ
pardon because OF these serv-
and We have influence In Eng
~ Yet, should such effort fail, you
sailor, and the seas of the world
nee It is not necessary that your
' ~ ny the English flag"
LOU give me hope-a wonderful
ana courage" her hands firmly
p'lg mine. Courage to fight on
y. AN ! would have that my gift to
~ Geonry. We are in peril STILL
:, 81 peril. but you will face 1t beside
AAoWing that whether we live or
y nore."
CHAPTER XVI.