The Marriage of Esther

nding of their duties, had made friends with their fellow-workers, and found it difficult to believe that they could be the same two men who were

complete and continual mystery. Try how she would, she could not understand him. On one occasion a combination of circumstances led her to attempt to set him right on a certain matter connected with his own department. Much to her surprise and discomfiture she found him not only firmly resolved to assert his own independence, and to resist to the utmost any attempt at interference, but even prepared to instruct if need be. Routed on every side she had fle

elf no labour, sparing himself no pains to ensure the faithful discharge of the duties entrusted to him. Not only that, but he often went out of his way to find work. She watched him and invariably found fault. So surely as his hard day's work was ended, would she discover something left un

r the cook's fire. The wood was tough and the labour hard, but he kept the saw going with endless perseverance. As he

said, but did not d

ating herself upon an upturned box beside him. "I think you will rememb

at-house. I remembered having seen some, and offered to procure the

did. I had fo

the wrong, you might

is my duty to keep

screws shall be on your table on the v

out f

l. I always

hed him, and for the first time became aware

me what brought you to Australia; you said you wou

. I think I said I could not bore y

to understand that

t y

with a little whine, and t

well enough yet to

ever shall know you. You are not

ch experience o

t men, perhaps

that that is a dangerous ad

ways lie far apart. In fact, that whatever my rank ma

sitting and stamped her foot. He looked up a

nkind. I'm sure I never said or

re for misunderstanding you. I certain

litter with her foot. He resumed his sawing. For the space

u are very patien

ye suspiciously. This was too novel and sati

at makes you

he cut is even and the end drops off of its own weight. Most men saw it three parts through, then drive

kind of yo

olded you so often I ought to tell yo

h, and she was not quite certain that she did not like his eyes; but she wasn't going to let hi

profitable occupation for you. One of the boys would have done twice as much i

ce that was not altogether one of discouragement. He looked up just in time to catch it. The result was disastrous. He missed his thrust-the saw slipped and cut his hand. It was not a deep

hrough my stupidity! Quick, give me y

ed, she had drawn her own handkerchief from her

lt. I should not have stayed here worrying

es so close to his-this time without the least

t of my own carelessness. I should have

any more wood. I forbid it! Do you

y much a

e, and he, with a sea of happiness surging at his heart that

moon was just rising over the headland, and the evening was very still; there was hardly enough wind to stir the palm leaves on the hill-top. Further round the island alligators were numerous, and as he stepped on to the beach Ellison thought he could make out on

a perfect night for a stroll it is. Just look at

s your

k you. It is very good of you to take

ted in anyone else. I pity the woman who could fail

. Who was he that he might expect from her anything more than ordinary civility? He was her father's servant, paid by the week to do odd jobs about the place; a position only found for him out of charity by a kind-hearted girl. With a gesture of anger he went briskly across the sands, plunged into the thicket, and strode

she kept repeating to herself.

ertain. Then came the question which was destined to keep her awake half the nigh

hand. He looked up as his friend entered, and one glance at his face told him all he wanted to know. Placing the boot he held in his han

friend was supremely happy,-don't ask me how I knew I saw it,-and yet he sighed in his sleep half the night. This evening he

to-night is concerned. I am miserable, miserable in heart

sho

vil! an

you want it in plain, unvarnished English. You're falling head over ears i

do you

called the English aristocracy. I don't care a jot what brought you to grief-something pretty bad I haven't a doubt-but believe me, and I'm not joking when I say it, if you marry this girl, without really loving her, you'll commit the cruellest action of your life, and what's worse ten thousand times, you'll never cease to regret it. She's

k pretty

onscience. You came into the store and talked politics-Queensland politics, too, of all things in the world-to distract your thoughts. I let you meander on, but I knew of what you were thinking. After that you gave up the mercenary notion and talked vaguely of trying your luck on the mainland. Then she began to snub you, and you to find new beauties in her character. You may remember that we discussed her, sitting

ll give her a w

t to cry off your bargain in the morning

ts again and went out into the still hot night. Having reached

oking at happiness through another man's eyes. For she loves him. If he were not so blindly wrapped up in his own conceit he would see it himself, and the worst of it is he has no more notion of her worth than I have of heaven. With me it is 'Mr. Murkard this, and

the leaves brought back the word

leeping quietly, one strong arm thrown round his head and a faint smile upon his lips. Murka

e no fear. Come what may, I make my sac

ameless secret to the mocking wor

y to complete her business with all possible dispatch and hurry away again. No more did she enter into conversation with him about his work. No more did she chaff

after-dinner pipe when he heard his name called. He recognised the voice immediately and, turning, went a

y for a few minut

work is over. Can I be

sk you to row me across th

th pleasure. Are

te r

mbark. She stepped daintily in and, seating herself in the stern-sheets, assumed possession of the tiller. The expression on his

remarked at length, feeling she must say something. "

him when you wanted to return," he replied. "

ith the management of the boat. She put her hand overboard and played with the water alongside

u think very badly of me?" s

hat on earth can have made

I have never forgiven myself for it. It was very ungrateful of me a

le unkind, but it was certainly not rude. Besides, what I have done for you has all b

morning that you are thinking

king of doi

, won't you? Let us be friends again f

e situation was still sufficiently awkward to deprive them both of conversation. By the time they had recovered enough to resume it, they had passed the hulk

tepped out. "I have enjoyed myself very much

ng to wai

k of such a thing. I shall be sure to

nt sitting here; and, remember, we have just made f

it. I will try not to be

g the jetty. He made the boat fast, and seating hims

her hand of him, and the township lights twinkled merrily ashore. His heart was happier than it had been for some time past, and yet again and again Murkard's words of warning rose upon his recollection. Did the g

passing sweet to love her; but could he do so with a clear conscience? He knew his failing-could he lie to himself? The night affected him; the moon, just rising blood-red above the hill-top, spoke to him of love. Not the love of a lifetime, not the love that will give and take, bear and forbear, thinking no ill, and

nd yet the temptation to stay-to hear from her own lips that she loved him-was upon him, calling him in tenderest accents to remain. He sat and thought it out as dispassionately as he was able, and his final resolve was to go. In this case, at least, he would not think of himself, he would

have grown very tir

I can say I'm tired. It is a beautiful evening. Look a

was a fair breeze, and the water bubbling under the boat's sharp bows was like tinkling music as they swept from the shadow of the pier into the broad moonlight. Again, for want of something to do, she put her hand

not cold,

What could make

I felt yo

ing. I am pe

l put this spare sai

tempt at resistance. In spite of her show of independence, there was something inf

eir own island. High cliffs rose above them, crowned with a wealth of

you know the stor

not being aware that it po

er pass it without thinking of the romance connected w

es

ng-place of a man whom I can remember seeing

ort of

re than that, for the reason that his hair and moustache were as white as snow. He lived in a hut on that bluff far away from everybody. In all the years he was there he was never known to cross the straits to the settlement, but once every three

nk he was q

ctim of some great sorrow, or, perhaps, some man of f

s you imag

t when, however, he lifted the poor body, he caught a glimpse of something fastened round his neck. It was a large gold locket, with a crown or coronet upon the cover. Inside it was a photograph of some great lady-but though he recognised

ictim of fate! I wonder

nable preacher in London, and was nearly made a bishop. He died-bewitched, he said-in a Kanaka's hut over yonder behind the settlement. Then there was the Gray Apollo-but who he was nobody ever knew; at any rate he was the handsomest and most reckl

sympathy for

in the enjoyment of every luxury, started with every advantage in life, and then to come out here to consort with

looked at him, and t

to pry into your secret, b

would never see him again. She had evidently a romantic interest in these shattered lives-could he no

w, while you were away to-night, and I was sitting waiting

at sub

rself, part

-examination do you

e following reason: In the first place, to tell you would necess

is t

ago I swore that I would forget certain things-the first was my real name, the second wa

el

known me a month, that you really know noth

hink I d

d mind to tell you everything, and let you judge for yourself. You are a woman whose word I would t

swe

der the headland by the station. Esther raised no objection, but sat looking before her with parted lips and rather startled eyes. She no

vagant? Courted by everybody, can you be surprised that I thought my own attractions irresistible? My father was a proud and headstrong man, who allowed me to gang my own gait without let or hindrance. When I left Eton, I left it a prig; when I left Oxford, I left it a man of ple

you I wil

tely but firmly showed me their doors. I went to men who at other times had lent me money, but they had heard of my father's embarrassments, and refused to throw good money after bad. Checkmated at every turn, I became desperate. Then to crown it all a woman came to me, a titled lady, in the dead of night; she told me a story, so base, so shameful, that I almost blush now to think of it. She said she had heard I was going to fly the country. My name was

nd you

St. Burden; my father i

. Ellison,

t me like that? You surely do not hate me

I only pity you from

sea. Suddenly he bowed his head and seemed to gasp for breath. Then, turning

out from your memory forever. I was mad to have told you. Oh, Heavens, how c

mortal shall ever dream that I know your hist

e came back to him

l never go back to England again. Th

y God he

why I must go away from here,

recognise the vo

ossible for you to be my fa

ause I am afraid to stay with you, lest

sible! How can

nd he held in his

e known it long since. I mean that yo

o! I cannot l

must! y

let m

ot love m

me go, le

, pressing her close

t you go until

ee that what you have told me make

expected this. Forgive me and fo

p out of reach of the tide. This done, he looked to find her waiting for him, but she was gone. He could see her white dress flitting up the path towards the house. Without attemptin

ding bitter cry. "Oh, God! I was tempted and I f

eeled about and strode off in a different direction. In that instant

worn-out, both mentally and physically. Without undressing he threw himself upon his bed, and slept a dreamless sl