An Outback Marriage

"But, Gavan," she said, "what have I done?"

"Done, little girl? you've done nothing. It's all my fault. I've

lost heart over things lately, and it will only harm you if we keep

up this pretence of being engaged. Nothing can come of it."

"Why not? Why can't we wait?"

"Wait! To be stuck in Tarrong all my life among these people, and

up to my neck in debt! No, little woman, as soon as ever I can

get things squared up, I'm off out of this, and I dare say we'll

never see each other again. I've made a mess of things here, and

I'm off somewhere else."

It seemed almost incredible to her that a man could so throw up

the fight; and then a thought flashed into her mind.

"It is not because Miss Grant has come that you do this?"

He laughed with a well-simulated indifference.

"Miss Grant!" he said, "I have only seen her twice--that day on

the coach and last night."

She seemed to study the question, still holding his hands, and

looking up into his face. The light in the room was stronger, and

there were sounds as if some of the household were stirring.

"So we must say 'Good-bye!'" she said, "just because you are short

of money. Gavan, I would have thought more of you, had you told me

you were tired of me and were going in for the other girl. I think

I could have respected you at any rate; but to sneak out on the

story of not being able to afford it--"

His face darkened, and he began to speak, but she stopped him,

and went on in a passionless sort of voice. "Some one is coming,"

she said, "and we must say good-bye; and since you wish it, it is

Good-bye.' But I'm not a child, to change my fancies in a day, so

I won't promise to forget. And I think you have treated me very

badly, so neither will I promise to forgive. I had set my heart

on you, Gavan. You seemed to me--but there, it's no use talking.

I suppose I should be meek and mild, and--"

"But, Ellen--"

"No, don't interrupt me. It is the last talk together we shall

have. I suppose I can go governessing, or nursing, to the end of

the chapter. It seems a dreary outlook, doesn't it? Now go, and

remember that I do not forgive easily. I had built such castles,

Gavan, and now--" She slipped quietly from the room, and was gone.

Gavan Blake drove home, feeling a trifle uneasy. He had expected

some sort of outburst, but the curious way in which she had taken

it rather non-plussed him.

"She won't stick a knife in herself, I suppose," he mused. "Just

like her to do something unusual. Anyway, she has too much pride

to talk about it--and the affair had to come to an end sooner or

later."