The Shadow of a Man

nt through with the empty form, even to putting out the light to rest her aching eyes. And in five minutes her troubles ceased for as many hours; she

t be done at once. It was an ordeal to face, but sooner or later Theodore must be told, and then-good-bye! Obviously the sooner the better, since the thing was settled betwe

be done. And Moya dressed by candle-li

ng in the dining-room, but the chairs were pushed back, crusts left, and tea-cups half full. The teapot felt quite heavy; and Moya took a cup and a bite before going to see whet

g at a canter through the pines. She cut him off at the barracks, wher

Bethune! Forgotten some

nd his smile. Yet Moya ha

Mr. Ives. Whe

must

my br

gone with

pol

e gone to follow

I know!" c

one of them. Very likely he had already made them a present of his suspicions; nothing likelier, or more fitting, than the exposure of her "lover" through

ackeroo remarked. "I shall hav

too polit

g dumps: but indeed it would be deadly at the station

, because they told me what t

you to do?" ask

ence; it's eas

going to do? What does

ve all the information she wanted and he could give. Ives began to appreciate her attractions, and Rigden's good fortune, for

addock, either to count them out, or to shift them altogether if feed or water was failing where they were. A big job i

lly go mustering a

for days before; but last nigh

oya. "I like to he

e hardly knew why. But he was n

hat's the killing-sheep paddock, and it's next door to Big Bushy, which is stocked with our

Moya, like a

it wouldn't do to let our best sheep bog. So we've got to shift e

Only she was suspicious now of every m

a water-bag?" she ask

boss won't let us. So of course I went and forg

tering?" asked s

It's my sight," said the young fellow ruefully; "I'm as blind as a mole. You ought to

said Moya, looking th

ether it's no sinecure for me, though they do give me the fence; an

t really saw was herself upon that lonely verandah all day l

t eyes," she obs

east!" cried

oined Moya, with severity. "I'm sure

wonder," said

have a spare ho

case of a

you have a l

got fo

t her desire wa

e accident, Mr.

ing?" he cried.

id Moya, nodding. "I shall

sure as with the rosy glow of the Riverina sunrise which fell upon him even a

, and rushed to make good his word. Moya h

en they obtained their first unimpeded view of it. This was when they looked back from the gate leading into B

de after their shadows and to talk as they rode, neck and neck, along the fluted yellow

lved to make the most of the first lady he had met for month

nd she was interested on her own

ght (though it was an awful bore), running up the horses (though I can't even crack a stock-whip), and just now the station trees against the sunri

y like to spend a

y dreams. I can't tell why, but I feel it in my bones; it's the light, the smell, the extraordinary sense of space, and all the little things as w

nthusiasm behind the dusty spectacles. There was some

oing to stick

lau

ation books; the owner said my education had been sadly neglected (one for Rugby, that was!) when he was up here t

ou think of do

se; I only came out for the voyage. After that, g

nd the shadows were shortening, and the back of the neck and the ears were beginning to burn. The jackeroo was sweeping the horizon for p

ot have told herself why; for she would not have admitted that i

there's not a grander or a straighter chap in Riverina, and we a

ed no more questions, and they rode a space in silence, Ives glancing si

think I shall have to get you to

asked Moya,

s the one thing we need-a lady. It's the one thing he needs to make him as nearly perfect

Moya. The blood cam

ied. "It was horrid

forced; indeed, the tears were very close to the s

she did say, with vigour. "

r of them was sorry when another gate grew large above the horses' ears, with posts and w