Part 9 (1/2)

CHAPTER VI

THE LADY OF BARELLAN

It was a ride of tentownshi+p to Barellan, and from the Murray's selection another two ed that Ailleen should ride out to a certain point and wait there for the Murrays to co for her), and then the three could ride on until they met dickson, as to come out to meet them

Ailleen had her horse saddled, and ay immediately after the early breakfast, and the school in the enjoyment of the holidays, watched her as she rode down the road and away into the bush It was quite possible that Nellie Murray and her brother -place, and Ailleen rode at a full canter so as not to waste time on the way She had covered more than half the distance when she heard a shout behind her, and, reining in her horse, there ca and aher na her

”Why, how did you get as far as this?” she asked as he rode up ”The Murrays were to be by Price's Waterhole, or I was to wait for them there, and ere to rin on his face and a shi+fty look in his watery eyes

”I didn't think Nellie would care to coo right on together,” he answered

”You didn't think?” she asked ”What did Nellie say? It was her suggestion that----”

”Yes, I know; but--we don't want her You come on alone I'd rather you did Mother won't want to have a crowd about the place It's only you she wants to see,” he said, interrupting her, and speaking quickly

”And let them wait all day for me when I said I would meet them? What next?” Ailleen exclaimed; and as there was a suspicion of ruffled te her horse forwards, as she could not move about herself

As the horse started, dickson brought his round in front of it

”Here, I say,” he said, ”it's no good playing the fool like that We don't want the others You come by yourself”

For answer Ailleen turned her horse round fro, he leaned forward and caught hold of the bridle

”I'o,” Ailleen exclai hiry

”I don't want, and I won't have, the others,” he retorted, retaining his hold of the bridle

The thin switch Ailleen carried fell across the back of his hand sufficiently hard to induce hio

”If I tell Nellie what you said?” she rerin still on his face and his eyes shi+fting ”I only wanted to see if you would let theirl looked at him steadily

”willy dickson, don't tell me lies,” she said severely; and he evaded her look ”If I had not proain”

She set her horse at a canter without waiting for him to reply, and rode steadily on, he after her, till Price's Waterhole was reached It was a soon surrounded by sturdy ti-trees, and with its surface almost covered by the blooms and leaves of pink water-lilies, over which a ed insects were ski

Under the shade of the trees two horses were standing, and on the bank of the lagoon, watching the dragon-flies as they flashed to and fro, Nellie and her brother were sitting

Fashi+ons do not change with the month in bush communities, and Nellie's hat was one of a pair with Ailleen's--they both came out of the same lot froiven to them, for they ide of brim and small of crown, and the bri bendable, up or down, for, thin veil the dust and ht not be especially beautiful of themselves, but many a ht of one, with the fresh face of a bush irls'

hats were alike, so were their costumes Marmot kept more brands of tobacco than varieties of dressrey dress has ure of native worth and a carriage as free and graceful as that of a bush-bred girl The likeness between the two, however, did not extend beyond the clothes they wore, and beyond the fact that both were attractive Where Ailleen was fair as a Saxon, Nellie was dark brown of hair and eyes, slight in build, and quick in temper