The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1919-11-13
CHAPTER xxV-Continued.
Observation-Disclosures


She turned her head. and ] felt her
eyes searching the dim outline Of my
face ~qucstioningly.
"Of course | did everything I knew"
she replied. "Nvhy should | not? You
nre here, Captain Carlyle, for my sake;
! " you service"
"And must | be content merely with
that ~thouChtr" I urged, far from
pleased. This would mean that your
orsy interest in me arises from graft
tudc."
"And friendship" her voice ms conf
Dental ms my own "Thcrc Is no rea-
son why you should doubt that surely"
1T would he easier for me to under.
stand, but for the memory OF what l
ann bond slave"
"Iour meaning Is that true friend
ship has as n basis equality?"
Does 1t not? Can real friendship
exist otherwise?"
mo-" she acknowledged grnvely.
And the fact that such friendship
does exist between us evidences my
faith In you. | have never felt this
social distinction, Captain Carlyle,
have given II no thought. This may
seem strange to you. yet Is most nat
ural. You bear an honorable name,
and belong to n family Of gentlemen.
by your " efforts. You bore the
part OF a mar In n revolution II guilty
of any crime, II vas n 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 serv-
ant, hut my f~riend-you understand
me nowf"
"And you would actually have me
speak with you rs Of your OWL class
a free man, worthy 10 claim your
friendship in life"
YES" frankly. her face upllfted
"Why should 1t be otherwise7 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 vii
bring US safely to land. ] am no long
you. You possess my entire conf
dence."
But do you understand fully?"
questioned a~nXiouSly. "All have done
for you would have been done for any
other woman under the same Condi
lions OF danger. Such service to an
other would have been q duty. and M
more. But to be with you, aiding anC
protecting, has been a delight. Il JOY
] have served Dorothy Fairfax for hcl
own sak0-not as I would any other
Did you not suppose l knew
Her glance flashed into mine through
the star-gleam, with IA sudden mcssag,
Of revealmcnt.
"You knew-that-that 1t was yol
personally l served?"
"Of course l knew. A woman Il
lever W of such things. Now
II ever, / must tell you the truth.
know you care for me. and have carct
Hateful has led me 10 seek your ac
quaintance. and give you my aid. Sure
ly II Is not unmaldenly for me 10 con
fess this when we face the chance o
death together1"
But" ] s'amncred, ~ can scarcel,
believe you realize your words. l..
love you Dorothy"
"And is It not also possible for IN,
to lover"
"You-you mean, you love mel"
81 love you-are you sorryT"
Sorry am mad with the JOY o.
It; yet stricken dumb. Dorothy Fair
fax, l have never even dared dream o
such a message from your lips. Dear
dear girl, do you forget who l nm
What my future?"
~ forget nothing" she said, proud
ly. ut Is because ! know what yol
are that my heart responds. Nor Il
your future so cloudcd. You nre Ia
day a free man II we escape thes,
perIls, for whether Roger Fairfax b,
alive. or dead. he will never seek yol
again to hold In servitudc. II alive h,
will join his efforts with mine TO ob
tain a pardon because of these scrv
Ices, and we have influence In Eng
land. Yet. should such effort fail. yol
are a sailor, and the seas of the wovlt
are free. 1t Is not necessary that you
vessel fy the English flag"
You give me h0pe-a wonderful
hope"
And courage" her hands frmi,
clnsDing mine. Courage TO fight ol
In faith. l would have that my gift e
you. Geoirry. We are In peril still
Ereat peril, but you will face II besidl
ms. knowing that whether we live o
die We are together, / am not afrai,
any more"