Judsonia weekly advance., 1919-09-25
CHAPTER xxv-contInued.
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Copy right BY A. q. MoClurg B Co.

She turned her head, and felt her
face questioningly.
"Of course | did everything knew"
she replied. "Why should not? You
are here, Captain Carlyle, for my sake !;
! owe you service"
"And must / be content merely with
that thought?" l 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 lis that true friend
ship has as basis equality?"
Does 1t not? Can real friendship
exist oiherwisey'
"No," she acknowledged gravely
"And the fact that such friendship
does exist between us evidences my
faith in you. l have never felt this
social distinction. Captain Carlyle,
have given it 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 man in a revolution if 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
~ that conviction does not exist be-
tween us; you are not my uncle's serv-
ant, but my friend-you understand
me now?"
And you would actually have me
speak with you as of your own class
free man, worthy to claim your
friendship in life?"
YES" frankly, her face uplifted
'Why should 1t be otherwise? 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 l have escaped. l
feel that your skill and courage will
er afraid, for | have learned to trust
you. You possess my entire conf
dence.'
But do you understand fully? I
questioned anXiously. "All have done
for you would have been done for any
other woman under the same condi-
tons of danger. Such service to an
of nr
more. But to be with you, aiding and
protecting, has been q delight, 10y.
| have served Dorothy Fairfax for her
own sake-not as | would any other"
Did you not suppose l knew"
Her glance flashed into mine through
the star-gleam, with sudden message
of revealment.
you knew-that-tha it was you
personally | served?"
'Of course l knew. woman is
never unaware of such things. Now,
IL ever, must tell you the truth.
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
y ~ 40 Aiot uiiiiiuiucuiy lOI lie 10 COIl-
fess this when we face the chance of
death t0gether?"
But" | stammered, II can scarcely
believe you realize your words. IL
love you Dorothy
"And is it not also possible for me
to lover"
"YOu-you mean, you love me?"
Il love y0u--are you sorry?"
Sorry l am mad with the Joy of
1t; yet stricken dumb. Dorothy Fair
fax, have never even dared dream of
such a message from your lips Dear,
dear girl, do you forget who l am?
What my future?"
II forget nothing" she said. proud
~. ut is because l know what YOU
are that my heart responds. Nor Is
your future so clouded. You are to-
day free man If we escape these
perils, for whether Roger Fairfax be
alive, or dead, he will never seek you
again to hold In servitude. If alive he
will Join his efforts with mine to OBJ
tain a pardon because of these serv-
ices, and we have influence in Eng
land. Yet, should such effort fail, you
are sailor. and the seas of the world
are free. lot necessary that your
vessel fly Snglish flag"
"You give me hope-a wonderful
hope"
"And courage" her hands firmly