The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-08-21

You fished me out?
"Sam did He got boat hook In
your collar. We cast of when yer
went overheard, and cruised about in
the fog hunting fer yer. Who was it
yer was fightin' with. sir?"
"Levere"
That's what told the lads. He's
2 conner, | reckonT
II never saw him after we sank.
Are all the men here7"
"All but those in the forward boat,
sir. They got away furst, an we amt
had no sight ov 'em since. Maybe we
will when it gets daylight. Harwood's
in charge. / give him compass, an
told him ter steer west. Wus tibet
right?"
"All could have told him. haven't
had an observation, and it is ca; guess
work ] know the American coast lies
to that direction but that is about ell
couldn't tell IL II be hundred, or
hundred and fifty miles away.
must have been in bad shape when
you pulled me int"
I'VE thought you was gone, sir. You
was bleedin some, too. but only from
flesh wounds. The young lady she
just wouldn't let yer die. She worked
over yer for two or three hours, sir.
afore he'd any hope"
Her eyes were downcast and her
face turned away. but / reached out
my hand and clasped her fingers. The
mystery Of the night and ocean was
in her motionless posture. Only as
her hand gently pressed mine did
gain courage, with a knowledge that
she recognized and welcomed my pres
ence.
Watkins says l owe my life TO you"
/ said, so low the words were scarcely
audible above the dash of water
alongside. ut will make that life more
valuable than ever before"
She turned her head, and / felt her
eyes searching the dim outline of my
face questioningly.
"Of course did everything knew"
she replied. "Why should / not? You
are here. Captain Carlyle, for my sake
l owe you service"
"And must i be content merely with
that thought? 1 urged, far from
pleased. "This would mean that your
only interest in me arises from graft
tude."
"And friendship" her voice as conf
Dental as my own. "There is no rea-
son why you should DOUBT that surely"
1T would be easier for me to under
stand but for the memory of what /
ana bond slave"
"Your meaning is that true friend
ship has as + ris equality"
Does 1t moi Can real friendship
exist otherwise?'
NO." she aclknf grayely.
"And the fact that ss.ga friendship
does exist between US evidences my
faith In you. ! have never felt this
social distinction. Captain Carlyle,
have given 1t no thought. This may
seem strange to you, yet is most nat
ural. You bear an honorable name,
and belong to a family of gentlemen.
You held position of command, won
by your own efforts. You bore the
part of a man in a revolution; IL guilty
of any crime, 1t was political one, in
no way sullying your honor. / have
every reason to believe you were false
ly accused and convicted. Consequent
ly that conviction does not exist be-
tween us; you are not my uncle's serv-
ant. but my friend-you understand
me nowf"
"And You would actually have me
speak with you as of your own class
free man, worthy to claim your
friendship In life7'
"Yes," frankly, her face uplifted.
"Why should 1t be otherwise7 No man
could have done more, or proved him.
self more stanch and true. We are In
danger yet, but such peril is nothing
compared with what have escaped. i
feel that your skill and courage will
bring us safely to land. am no long
er afraid. for have learned to trust
you You possess my entire conf
dence."
But do you understand fullyr I
questioned anxiously. "Al1 have done
for you would have been done for any
other woman under the same condi-
lions Of danger. Such service to an
other would have been a duty, and no
more. But to be with you, aiding and
protecting, has been a delight, joy.
have served Dorothy Fairfax for her
own sake-not as would any other"
did you not suppose knew"
Her glance flashed into mine through
the star-gleam, with sudden message
of revealment.
You knew-that--that 1t was you
personally served?"
"Of course / knew. A woman is
never unaware of such things. Now,
If ever, must tell you the truth. 1
know you care for me. and have cared
since first we met. An interest no less
fateful has led me to seek your ac-
quaintance, and give you my aid. Sure
ly 1t is not unmaidenly for me to con-
fess this when we face the chance of
death toge.her7"
But" ] stammered, Il can scarcely
believe you realize your words. I'll
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