The Taney County republican., 1919-10-16

81 would ask an opportunity denied
me-tO stand once more in honor
among men. | would not be ashamed
before Dorothy Fairfax"
"NOr need you be-" she exclaimed
impetuously, her hands pressing mine.
"YOu wrong yourself, even as you have
been wrongcd. You have already done
that which shall win you freedom if
1t be properly presented to those in
power. / mean that it shall be, once
/ am safely back in Virginia. Tell me,
what are your plans with-with this
schoOner?"
ITO beach 1t somewhere along shore,
and leave it there a wreck, while we
escape, The men Insist on it with good
reason. They have been pirates, and
might be hung if caught"
"And yet to my mind" she insisted
earnestly, "that choice is most dan
gerous. am a girl, but If command
ed here, do you know what would do?
would sail thisvessel straight to the
Chesapeake and surrender it to the
authorities The men have nothing to
fear with me aboard and ready to testi-
fy in their behalf. The governor will
accept my word without question.
These men are not pirates, but honest
seamen compelled TO serve In order to
save their lives; they mutlned and
captured the bark, but were later over
come, and compelled to take the boats.
The same plea can be made for you,
Geoffry, only you were there In an ef'
fort TO save me. 1t Is service which
ought to win you freedom. II the gov
ernor fail me, will bear my story TO
the feet of the king. ! am Fairfax,
and we have friends In England, strong,
powerful friends"
Il am convinced" I admitted after
q pause, that fhis course is the wiser
one, but fear the opposition of the
men. They will never go willingly"
'There Is an argument which will
overcome their fear, mean cupidity.
Each sailor aboard has an interest in
the salvage of this vessel under the
English law. Also there must be gold
aboard-perhaps treasure also. Let
the crew dream that dream and you
will need no whip to drive them into
an English port"
"Full pardon, and possibly wealth
with IT," l laughed. "A beautiful
scheme, Dorothy, yet it might work
Still, II l know sailormen, they would
doubt the truth, If 1t came direct fron
me, for l am not really one of them"
"But Watkins is. Explain II all to
him; tell him who I am, the influence
can WELD in the colony, and then let
him whisper the news to the others.
VIII you not do this-fOr my sake|
"Yes." | answered; 81 believe you
have found the right course. If you
will promise to lie down and sleep l
VIII talk with Watkins now. l may
catch some catnaps before UOrning,
but most of the time shall be prOwllng
about deck. Good night, dear girl
She extended her arms, and drew me
down until our lips met.
g. "You are actually afraid Of me STILL"
she said. "Why should you be?'
Somehow, Dorothy, you have al
ways seemed so far away from me l
have never been able to forget. But
now the touch of your lips has"
Broken down the last barrier?"
ayes, forever"
"Arc you sure7 Would you not feel
still less doubt II sou kissed me
Rgaln?'
held her closely, gazing down into
the dlmly revealed outline of her face,
and this time felt myself the master.
left her there and CROPPED my own
way forward. found Watkins awake
He listened gravely to what had to
say, with little comment, and was evi
IDENTIFY weighing every argument in his
mind.
'Tve bin in Virginia ard Maryland
sir" he said at last seriously, "and II
the young woman is a Fairfax. shell
likely have influence enough ter dc
Just whut she says. III talk II oyel
with the lads. If they wus only SURF
thar wus treasure aboard | guess mos
Of 'em would face hell ter git theil
hands on q share Of It,"
"Then why not search and seer
He shook his head obstinately.
'Not me, slrl l don't prowl aroun(
In no cholera ship, loaded with deat
men--not If l never git rich"
"Then | will" and got to my fee
in sudden determination. "YOu keel
the deck while | go below. Light TN
lantern and bring it here. If Their
is any specie hidden aboard this hook
or 1t will be either in the cabin 0
lazaret, Aud, whether there IS o. moi