An Outback Marriage

"When you go back to England, Miss Grant," said Blake, "you will

be able to tell them that you have hunted 'possums, anyhow. That

will sound like the real bush, won't it?"

"Yes. And I can say I have been upset in a river and nearly drowned,

too. I'm becoming quite an experienced person. But what makes you

think I shall go back to England?"

"I thought you would be sure to go back."

"Oh, no. We have no friends in England at all. My mother's people

are nearly all living in India, and father wouldn't live in England.

He hates it."

"And do you like Australia?"

"I've only seen about a week of it. Do you know, it seems to me

a more serious life than in England. Look at Mrs. Gordon, what a

lot of people she has dependent on her. The station-hands and their

wives, all come to her. In England she might visit them and give

them tracts and blankets, but here what they want is advice and

help in all sorts of things. You know what I mean?"

"Yes. She is a fine old lady, isn't she? A real character. You will

be sure to like her."

"Yes. I think I shall be very happy here. Father is anxious I

should like this place, as he may come up here to live, and I'm sure

I shall like it. You see, there is work to do here. Miss Harriott

and Mrs. Gordon are at work from daylight till dark; what with the

children, the house, the store and visitors, there really isn't

time to feel lonely. Don't you think people are much happier when

they have a lot to do? Do you live--"

"I live in two rooms and get my meals at an hotel, Miss Grant. I

have never had any home life. I never knew what it meant till now."

"You must come out again when you are down this way. The--what's

that?"

A dog barked furiously in the distance, and the others rushed to

join him from all directions, yelping and squealing with excitement.

The whole party set off at a run, amid cheers and laughter.

"What is it, what is it?" said Mary.

"One of the dogs has found a 'possum up a tree, and the children

will try to get him down. Come on! Mind where you go. The black

shadows are very hard to judge, and sometimes a log or a bush is

hidden in them. There goes Poss over a log," he added, in explanation

of a terrific crash and a shout of laughter from the others. "What

is it, Emily?" he asked as one of the children ran past.

"It's Thomas Carlyle has found one," she said, "and he never barks

when the 'possums are up big trees. He knows we can't get them then,

so he only looks in the saplings. The other dogs find them in the

big trees, but that's no good."