The Mena weekly star., 1919-04-24
CHAPTER III.
Dorothy Fairfax.


 stronger. had been ordered to deck by the surgeon. The last batch of pris. oners, after their short hour of recre- ation, had been returned to the quar. ters below, but was permitted to re- main alone undisturbed.
 was still standing there absorbed when a voice, soft-spoken and femi- nine. broke the silence.
 May I speak with you?"
 l turned instantly, so thoroughly surprised my voice faltered as gazed into the upturned face of the ques- tioner. She stood directly beside me, her head uncovered Instantly my cap was off, and was lowing courteously. ''Most certainly" with quick side glance toward the guard, but l am a prisoner"
 "Of course know that" in smiling confidence. "Only you see I am rather a privileged character on board. Per haps you may be punished if you talk with me-is that what you meantT
 'sI am more than willing to assume the risk. I have made few friends for ward, and am even bold enough to say that I have longed for a word with you ever since first saw you aboard"
 "Why especially with me7p
 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 mel"
 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 wavered.. But she possessed the courage of pride, and her hesitancy was short.
 You imagine l cannot answer. Oh, but can; know who you are; my uncle pointed you out to me. I am travelling home with him to Maryland. l am Dorothy Fairfax. He was pres ent at your trial before Lord Jeffrfes. You are Geoffry Carlyle, in command of the ship that brought Monmouth to England. heard 1t all.'
 "All7 What else, pray7"
 Her eyes opened widely in sudden surprise and she clasped and unclasped her hands nervously.
 Do you really not know7 Have you never been told what happened7"
 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 servi- tude beyond seas," I 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 impediately. Then influence was brought to bear-some nobleman in Northumberland made direct appeal tc the king. That was what angered Jeffries so.p
 "An appeall For me? Good God not Bucclough-was it he, the duke? P
 Yes; it was whispered about that the king was in his debt-some word of honor, and dare not 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?"
 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 in hangman's knot. l can think of no other reason for his interference. knew nothing of his action"
 "I am glad it became my privilege 10 tell you. Besides, Captain Carlyle" 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 seai'
 Largely necessity, ana to some ex- rent no doubt sheer love of advcn lure. l was 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 servant I always loved the sea, and at fourteen--to get out of his sight, think largely--was appren. ticed to the navy, but lost my grade in the service by mere boyish prank. His influence then would have saved me, but he refused to even read my letter of explanation. l dared not re. turn home in such disgrace. and conse- quently drifted into the merchant serv. ice. It is story quickly told"
 "Yet not so quickly lived"
 "No, 1t meant many hard years. on all the oceans of the world. This is the first message reaching me from the old home"
 (To Be Continued Next Week.)
 
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