Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-14
A New Plan Of Escape.

MOON 10 ulStuTD the Tuutiut WVIA
aboard or to cause me any uneasiness.
Sunset brought clouds. and by the time
Il was really dark the entire sky was
overcast. but the sea remained COM
paratively calm and the wind steady.
1t was a pleasant night In spite OF
the darkness, the air soft and refresh
ing. The locker was filled with flags,
representing almost every nation on
earth. dragged these out and spread
them on the deck abaft the cabin, thus
forming very comfortable bed, and
at last induced the girl to lie down,
wrapping her In a blanket. Finally I
found seat beside her on a coil Of
rope. and we fell into conversation.
This was the first opportunity we
had enjoyed to actually talk with each
other alone.
Dorothy said humbly, 'you were
frightened last night. / cannot hold
you to what you said to me then"
you mean you do not wish tot But
was not frightened"
"And you still repent what you said
then? You said, 4 love YOU"
"Yes. can repeat that--l love you"
"Those are dear, dear words; but I
ought not to listen to them. or believe.
1 am not free to ask a pledge Of you. or
to beg you to trust me in marriage"
as not that rather for me to de-
cide?" she questioned archly. II make
a confession now. You remember the
night I met you on deck, when you
wore 3 prisoner, and ted you tina: you
had become the property Of Roger
Fairfax? l loved you then, although
I scarcely acknowledged the truth even
to myself. We>are all alike, we Fair
faxes; we choose for ourselves. and
laugh at the world That is my an
swer. Geoffry Carlyle; give you love
for love-"
II 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 wronged. You have already done
that which shall win you freedom. II
it be properly presented to those in
power. I 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 1t there wreck, while we
escape. The men insist on 1t with good
reason. They have been pirates, and
might be hung If caught"
"And yet to my mind" she insisted
earnestly, shat choice is most dan
gerous. am girl, but If command
ed here, do you know what would dot
would sail this vessel 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 mutinied and
captured the bark, but were later over
come, and compelled to take the boats.
The same plea can be made for you,
Geoffrys only you were there In an eff
fort to save me. It is service which
ought to win you freedom. II the gov
ernor fail me-. will bear my story to
the feet Of the king. l am Fairfax.
and we have friends in England, strong.
powerful friends"
II am convinced" admitted, after
pause, ''that this course Is the wiser
one, but fear the opposition Of the
men. They will never go willingly"
"Ehere is an argument which will
overcome their fear. I 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," laughed. "A beautiful
scheme. Dorothy, yet it might work,
Still. IL know sailormen, they would
doubt the truth. IL 1t came direct from
me, for I am not really one of them"
"But Watkins is. Explain it all to
him; tell him who am, the influence
can WELD in the colony, and then let
him whisper the news to the others.
Will you not do this-for my sakeY
I "Yes," answered; Il believe you
have found the right course. II you
will promise to, lie down and sleep !
Will talk with Watkins now. I may
catch some catnaps before morning.
but most Of the time shall be providing
about deck. Good night, dear girl"
She extended her arms, and drew me
down until our lips met.
"You are actually afraid Of me still"
:! she sai.ii. ;;;SYyisy should you be?''
Somehow, Dorothy, you have al
ways seemed so far away from me I
have never been able to forget. But
now the touch Of your lips has"
Broken down the last barrier7s
Yes, forever"
"Are you sure7 Would you not feel
still less doubt II you kissed me
againr'
held her closely, gazing down into
the dimly revealed outline-of her face,
and this time felt myself the master.
u left her there and CROPPED my own
way forward. I found Watkins awake.
He listened gravely to what had to
say, with little comment, and was evf.
IDENTITY weighing every argument In his