Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-03-26
CHAPTER Ill.
Dorothy Fairfax.

Dorothy Fairfax.
We were not far from two hundred
miles east of the CapeS. / had been
closely confined to my bunk for two
days with Illness but now, somewhat
stronger, had been ordered to deck by
the surgeon. The last batch of pris-
OnerS, after their short hour of recre-
alton, had been returned to the quar-
tiers below, but was permitted to re-
main alone undiSturbed.
| was still standing there absorbed
when voice, soft-spoken and femi-
nine, broke the silence.
MAY | speak with you?"
l turned instantly, so thoroughly
surprised my voice faltered as I gazed
into the upturned face of the ques-
toner. She stood directly beside me,
her head uncovered. Instantly my cap
was off, and l was bowling courteously.
'Most certainly" with a quick side
glance toward the guard, "but 1 am
prisoner"
"Of course know that" in smiling
confidence. "Only you see am rather
a privileged character on board. Per-
haps you may be punished if you talk
with me-is that what you meant?"
81 am more than willing to assume
the risk. have made few friends for
that / have longed for a word with
you ever since first saw you aboard"
"Why especially with me?''
Rather hard question to answer
at the very beginning" smiled back
at her. "Yet not so difficult as the
one shall ask you. am only one of
fifty prisoners, scarcely cleaner or
more reputable looking than any of
my mates. Yet surely you have not
sought speech with these others? Then
why especially with me?"
Even in the growing dusk 1 could
mark red flush mount into the clear
cheeks at this insistent question, and
for an instant her eyes wavered. But
she possessed the courage of pride
and her hesitancy was short.
"YOu imagine I cannot answer. Oh
but can; know who you are; my
uncle pointed you out to me. l am
travelling home with him to Maryland
/ am Dorothy Fairfax. He was pres
ent at your trial before Lord Jeffries,
You are GeOffry Carlyle, in command
of the ship that brought Monmouth to
England. l heard it ALL"
"All? What else, pray?"
Her eyes opened widely in sudden
surprise and she clasped and unclasped
her hands nervously.
DO you really not know? Have you
never been told what happened?"
"Only that 1 was roughly forbidden
to speak, called every foul name the
learned judge could think of, and then
sentenced to twenty years penal servi-
tude beyond SEAS" / answered soberly.
Following that I was dragged from
the dock, and flung into a cell. Was
there anything else?'
"Why you should have known. Lord
Jeffries sentenced you to death; the
decree was signed, to be executed
Immediately. Then influence was
brought to bear-some nobleman in
Northumberland made direct appeal to
the king. That was what angered
Jeffries so.''
IAN appeal! For me? Good God !!
not Bucclough-was it he, the duke?'
yes; it was whispered about that
the king was in his debt--some word
of honor, and dare rot refuse. The
word of mercy came just in time, or
dering Jeffries to commute your SEN
tence. At first he swore he'd hang
you, king or no king, but his nerve
failed. My uncle said he roared like
a bull. This Bucclough; is he not
your friend?"
l hesitated for an instant of indeci-
sion, looking into her face, but the
truth would not be denied.
Scarcely that" / said soberly. "Nor
can / solve entirely his purpose. He
is my brother, and am the next in
line. We are not even on speaking
terms: yet he is childlesS, and may
feel some measure of dislike to have
the family end in a hangman's knot. I
can think of no other reason for his
interference. knew nothing Of his
action"
Il am glad it became my privilege
to tell you. Besides, Captain Carlyle"
simply, sit may also help you to un-
derstand my interest. If you are of
the Carlyies of Bucclough, how hap
pened it that you went to seal"