The Odds

en he entered. He read nothing but grim determination. Dot's demean

time?" she murmured t

no fine shades of feeling about Adela. She always w

issing the appeal in the girl's low-spoken wor

mobile countenance would allow, and sat d

ed aloud. "Does that mean I am to draw my own conclusion

yly. "Where did you get this whisky f

ts origin. I got it through Harley. You know

"He is retiring, and another

the only person who could manage th

nning with the hare and hunting with the hounds. They need a younger man with

such a man?"

, but brought back more in the way of experience than gold. He's been working in the Fortescue Mine now for six months,

ou afraid of? Whisky-running

ever trust any man until I know him," he said. "He may be s

y interest in that

n," said Fletch

et Fortescu

twice," s

hated, isn't h

poke with characteristic grimness

," remarked Adela. "But what

y age,"

said, with animation. "I've always wanted to see

e had been sitting quite

e said, as Hill looked towards her. "But per

it if you cared t

e night at Trelevan, wouldn't it? I-I think we are too bus

t? You don't get much fun in life. If you want to see

you," s

up a little enthusiasm! You've sat like a mu

ough it was, was more than she could bear. "I've one or two jobs left

d the door. She barely paused in the kitchen, but fled to her own room. She

motions. She knew not which way to turn to escape the turmoil, or even if she were glad or sorry for the step she had taken. She wondered if H

emory of that past. In the daytime she could put it from her, stifle it, crowd it out with a multitude of tasks; but at night in her dreams that memory would not always be denied. In her dreams the old vision returned-tender, mocking, elusive-a sunburnt face with eyes of vivid blue that looked into hers, smiling and confident with that confidence that is only possible between spirits that are akin. She would feel again the pressur

ms. She believed that Fletcher Hill was a good man, and he had been very patient. She quivered a little at the thought of that patience of his. There was a cast-iron quality about it, a forcefulness, that made her wonder. Had she ever really met the man

ies, in asserting his grim mastery in the face of heavy odds. He was never deterred by circumstances, never turned back from any purpose upon the accomplishment o

the soft turning of the handle, Jack

asleep, l

e bed. "Oh, Jack, co

her's been telling me," he whispered into her ear. "Adela's gone t

lung to him. "I-don't think so," she whisper

d her very tenderly. "He's a good fellow-the bes

old. "He-doesn't want to marry me y

"Don't funk the last fence, old girl!" he

re's no getting back, is there, Jack? Oh, please, do ask hi

" Jack pointed out. "Don't you thi

some constriction there. "He has been speaking to you a

yourself. It is I who think that a long delay would be a mistake.

ter all, it isn't as if-as if I were really sacrificing anything, is it? And y

"He is a fine man, Dot, and he will al

ully good to me, dear old boy. Tell him-tell him I'll marry him as soon as

. "You look very nice

acetown, mind you, the smartest place this side of Sydney-I must be respe

d Jack, "and go while Fletcher is busy there. Y

?" she said, sq

m the ranges. He'll help me. I've got to learn to do w

I know it's for my good. You must let me come and help

"You'll come just whenever you feel like