The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-13
(Continucd.)

lContinuedD
 TT shall never cease to thanI5. vou. |" I returned warmly, conscious suddenly that I was holding her hands. and as instantly releasing them. "It will save me the degradation which I dreaded most Of all--the toiling in the fields beside negro slaves. and the sting of the lash. Ay. it means even more" I hesirated. instantly realizing that ! must not utter those lmDetucus words leapiug to my lips.
 More v she exclaimed. "What more?"
 "This," went on. my thought shift ing into a new channel. GA longer ser vitude. Up to this moment my one dream has been to escape but | must give that up now. You have placed me under obligations to serve. Be tween us this has become debt Of honor"
 But wait" she said earnestly. ''for I had even thought of that. | was sure you would feel thar wny-auy gentleman would. Still there is a way out. You were sentenced as an h. dentured servant. I saw the entry my self It read: 'Geoffry Carlyle. Master Mariner, indentured to the Colonies for the term of twenty years, unless sooner released; crime, high treason Any indentured man, under our Mary land laws, can buy his freedom, after serving 9 certain proportion of his sentence. Did you not know that2' I did know it, yet somehow had never connected the fact before dt- rectIy with my own case. God, what relief; I stood up straight once more in the stature of a man. I hard ly know what wild words I might have spoken had the opportunity been mine; but at that instant the figure of a man crossed the deck toward us, emerging from the open cabin door. Against the gleam of yellow light I recognized the trim form advancing. and as instantly stepped back into shadow. My quick movement caused her to turn and face him.
 "What" he exclaimed, and evil dently surprised at his discovery. 'It is indeed Mistress Dorothy-out here aIore? Twas my thought you were safely in your cabin long since. But prithee-I mistake; you are not alone"
 q was preparing to go in," she an swered, ignoring his latter words. "The night already looks stormy"
 ''But your friend?'
 The tone in which he spoke was insistent, almost insolent in it's de mand, and she hesitated no longer in meeting the challenge.
 ''Your pardon. I am sure-Lieuten- ant Sanchez, this gentleman Is Cap tain Geoffry Carlyle.n
 He stood there stiff and straight against the background of light one hand in affected carelcssness caress- ing the end of a waZed musrache. His face was in shadow. yet I was quite aware of the flash of his eyes.
 "Ah. indeed-somespasse I have not chanced to observe before?"
 "A prisoner" she returned distinct Iy. "You may pernaps remember my uncle pointed him out to us when he first came aboard'
 And you have been out here alone, talking with the fellow2"
 "Certainly-why nOt2"
 'Why the man is a feIOn. convicted of crime, sentenced to deportation"
 ''It is not necessary that we discuss this, sir" she interposed, rather proud ly, "as my personal conduct is not a matter for your criticism. I shall re tire now. No, thank you, you need not come"
 He stopped still, staring blankIy after her as she vanished; then wheeled about to vent his anger on me.
 Carlyle, heyI7 he exclaimed sheer fngly. "A familiar sound that mama in my ears. One of the brood out Of Bucclough?"
 "A cadet of that 1ine," I managed to admit, wonderingly. "You know of them?'
 "Ouite as much as I care to- his tone ugly and insulting. Then an idea suddenly occurred to his mind. Saint Guise. but that would even up the score nicely. You are, as understand it, sent to Virginia for sale?".
 'fYes."
 "For how long a term?"
 "The sentence was twenty years"
 "Hela! and you go to the highest bidder. I'll do it. fellow! To actually own a Carlyle of Bucclough will be a sweet revenge. Twill count fol more than were I to tweak the dukes nose."
 "A very noble plan for revenge,' ] admitted. "And one which l am not likely to forget. Unfortunately you come too Iate t happens, senor, thai l am already safely indentured to Roger Fairfax"
 I turned away, but he called angrily after me:
 DO not feel so sure of that Carlyle l am in the game yet"
 CHAPTER ".