The daily Alaskan., 1919-04-26

that I have longed for word with you ever since I first saw you aboard"
 "Why especially with me?"
 Rather a hard question to answer at the very beginning" l smiled back at her. "Yet not so difficult as the one I shall ask you. I 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 I could mark a red flush mount into the clear cheeks at this insistent question, and for an instant her eyes wayered. But she possessed the courage of pride, and her hesitancy was short.
 You imagine I cannot answer. Oh, but can; I know who you are; my uncle pointed you out to me. l am travelling home with him to Maryland. I 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. I 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 happenedH"
 "Only that I was roughly forbidden to speak, called every foul name the learned judge could think of, and then sentenced to twenty years penal scrVi- tude beyond seas" I answered soberly, Following that I was dragged from the dock, and flung into 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.'
 An appeal! For me? Good God not BucclOugh-waS it he, the duke?'
 Yes; it was whispered about thai the king was in his debt-Some word of honor, and dare not refuse. The word of mercy came just in time, or dering JcffrieS 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?"
 I heSitated for an instant of indeci- sion, looking into her face, but the truth would not be denied.
 Scarcely that" l said SOberly. "Nor can l solve entirely his purpose. He is my brother, and I 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 ip a hangman's knot. l can think of no other reason for his interference. l knew nothing of his action"
 .'I am glad it became my privilege to tell you. Besides, Captain Carlyle v simply, it may also help you to un- derstand my interest. If you are of the CarlyleS of Bucclough, how hap pened it that you went to sea?"
 "Largely necessity. and to some ex- tent no doubt sheer love of advCn- ture. l was,a younger son, with very little income. There were then two lives between me and the estate, and the old duke, my father, treated me like a servant. I always loved the sea, and at fOurteen-tO get out of his sight, think largely-waS appren- .iced to the navy, but lost my grade in tke service by a mere boyish prank. His influence then would have saved me, but he refused to even read my letter of explanation. I dared I;Ot re- turn home in such disgrace, and cOnse- quently drifted into the merchant serV- Ice. It is a story quickly told"
 "Yet not so quickly lived"
 "NO, it meant many hard years, on all the oceans of the world. This is the first message reaching me from the old home"
 "I have seen that hOme," she said quietly, "and shall never forget the impression 1t made on me. A beauti- ful place. I was there on a coaching party, the first summer I was in Eng land. l was a mere girl then, and everything seemed wonderful, l have been away from Maryland now for three years. Nothing else would sat isfy father. Maryland is only colony, you know"
 "Your home is at Saint Mary's|
 "Lower down the Potomac. Have you ever been thereT
 Twice; once as mate, and the last time as master of ship. My latest voyage in these waters was made nearly two years ago."
 'It is not so strange then, is It, that I should have felt interested In youT she asked suddenly, as though justify ing herself. When Uncle Roger first told me who you were, and then ,ex-