erably. When he returned again there was a letter from Mary
Kyley, It was brief:

'DEAR JIMMY,

'We are at Tarrangower. Joy is back with us, well and strong again, and
as pretty as a picture; but the mischief is she doesn't forget the boy
who isn't fit to kiss the boots she wears--meaning your self, you scamp!
'Tisn't a far ride! Maybe you'll come one of these fine Sundays.

'Your middle-aged friend,

'MARY KYLEY.'

Jim spent nearly three days over that letter, and then determination came
suddenly on top of much contrary argument. He would go. No sooner had he
made up his mind than a consuming eagerness to see Aurora seized him. All
other considerations were lost. He must go at once, take her in his arms,
plead with her with all the fervour of his heart, compel her with every
argument love could advance, beseech her with all the humility of the
conquered to be his wife.

Now his love of Lucy appeared as a mere aberration. His overwhelming
eagerness for life, for new faces, scenes, sensations, had whirled him
from the true path of his happiness. Thank God, it was not too late! Joy
alone was his true mate, his true love, the real need of his being, and
he had never loved her as now. The passion came back upon him like a
dammed torrent. His impatience made his mate open his eyes in grave
wonder.

'I want to reach Tarrangower before noon to' morrow, Harry,' he said.
'Can it be done?'

'You could cover the distance in 'bout five hours on a decent horse. But
what's struck you, ole man?'

'The idea that I've been playing the melancholy fool. I've been
questioning life, bargaining with it like a suspicious huckster
--suspecting, doubting, rejecting, instead of opening wide my arms and
taking the good to me wherever it offered.'

'I dunno what you're drivin' at, Jim; but if it means you're goin' to
cheer up I'm all-fired glad to hear it. You've been as miserable as a
dingo in a springer since Eureka.'

'It means that, Harry. Can we get horses?'

'We--meanin' me too?'

'Yes; you'll come with me? I don't know the lay of the country, and I
must go.'

'Oh, I'll go fast enough. You can get horses from Croker, but they'll
cost you a bite.'

This was on Saturday. Jim was in Tarrangower an hour before noon on
Sundays The first digger they met directed them to Mary Kyley's tent.
Mary was busy preparing dinner, but dropped everything, and rushed at the
visitors, half' smothering Jim in a motherly hug.

'Murder! you'