The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1919-07-18

/ am not free to ask a pledge of you, Or
to beg you to trust me in marriage"
Els not that rather for me 10 de-
cideY" she questioned archly. II make
, a confession now. You remember the
night | met you on deck, when you
were a prisoner. and told you that you
had become the property OF Roger
Fairfax? l loved you then, although
/ 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; I give you love
for love-"
IL would ask an opportunity denied
me-tO stand once more in honor
among men. l would not be ashamed
before Dorothy Fairfax"
Nor neeG you be-" she exclaimed
~impetuously, her hands pressing mine.
You wrong yourself. eve ms you have
been wrOnged. You have already done
that which shall win you freedom, If
| it be properly presented to those in
power. l mean that it shall be, once
l am safely back in Virginia. Tell me,
what are your plans with-with this
schooner"
'To beach it 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. l am q girl, but if I command
ed here. do you know what | would do?
| 1 would sail this vessel straight to the
Chesapeake II surrender it TO the
; authorities. The men rave nothing to
fear with ne aboard and ready 10 teSti-
fy in their behalf. The q viii
accept my word without a 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
F.! come, and compelled TO take the boats.
! The same plea cap be made for you.
Geoffry, only you were there in an eff
fort to saw me. 1t is 81 service which
ought to win you freedom. If the gov
ernor fail mt, ! will bear my story to
the feet of the king. am a Fairfax.
and we have friends in England, strong.
powerful friends
II ain convinced" I admitted, after
a pause. that this 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. l mean eupidity.
Each sailor aboard has an interest in
English law. Also there must be gOlf
neutrality-suspicious. treasure also. Let
the crew dream that dream II you
will need no whip to drive them into
an English port"
Full pardon, and possibly wealth
with it," / laughed. "a beautiful
scheme, Dorothy, vet it might work.
Still. il / know saiLrmen, they would
doubt the truth. if it came direct from
me, for ] am not really one of them"
but Watkins is. Explain 1t all to
him tell him who l am. the influence
l can WELD in the colony, and then let
him whisper the news TO the others.
VIII ven no; Ito ii.is--for my Sa&ey
"Y,.." answered: Il believe you
s,y. ;uUr:i he r;;:ht course. IL you
= ..~.,e;:r 30 r.. down and sleep |
Will talk with Watkins now. l may
catch some catnapS before morning,
but most of rhe time shall be providing
about deck. Good night, dear girl"
She extended her arms, and drew noe
down until our lips met.
"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 /
have never becn able to forget. But
now the touch Of your lips has
Broken down the last barrier?"
yes, forever"
"Are YOU sure? Would you not feel
still less doubt if you kissed me
again?"
held her closely, gazing down into
the dimIy revealed outline of her face,
and this time felt myself the master.
| left her there and CROPPED my own
way forward. l found Watkins awake.
He listened gravely to what | had to
say, with little comment, and was evil
IDENTIFY weighing every argument in his
mind.
"Tve bin in Virginia and Maryland.
sir" he said at last seriously, land ii
the young woman is a Fairfax. she'll
| likely have influence enough ter do
Just whit she says. I'll talk 1t over
| with the lads. IF they wus only sure
! thar wus treasure aboard Iguess most
of 'em would face hell ter git their
| hands on a share of it."
.aThen why not search and sect"
He shook his head obstinately.
"Not me, sir l don't prowl around
in no cholera ship. loaded with dead
men-not IL / never git rich."