38

XXV. A PROPOSAL 245

XXVI. GOOD AND EVIL 252

POST SCRIPTUM 257

Grey Town.

An Australian Story.

CHAPTER I.

THE PRESBYTERY.

Grey Town looks down on the river and the ocean, its streets climbing up
the small hill upon which the town has been built. It is a pleasant
place in which to live, where, in winter, the air is warm, and in summer
a cool breeze from the ocean tempers the hottest day. At the feet of the
town the ocean beats restlessly on the narrow strip of beach that
fringes the shore. On the distant horizon one may often see the black
smoke, sometimes the hull, shadowy and indistinct, of some passing
steamer. But only the smaller steamers or ships can enter the bay, for
there are reefs and sand-spits, to touch which would mean destruction.
Beside the town, the River Grey enters the ocean. When the tide is high,
and the river swollen by heavy rains, there is a turmoil of waters at
the bar, ocean and river contending for mastery. Then the river, banked
up at its exit, overflows the low lands that lie to the east of the
town, turning a green valley into a muddy lake. At other times the Grey
valley is green and pleasant, excepting where the masses of grey rock
from which it has its name jut out over the river.

At the highest summit of the town stands the Catholic church, the
presbytery beside it. Years ago, when Father Healy came to his new
parish, he found an acre block, vacant and forlorn, the very summit of
the highest hill above the town.

"This has been destined for my church. In accordance with precedent, I
shall build here," said the priest.

The agent to whom he made the remark laughed doubtingly. He knew Grey
Town, man and woman, intimately; the peculiarities of Ebenezer Brown,
owner of this plot of land, were well known to him.

"You can whistle for this site. It belongs to Ebenezer Brown," he said.

"Ebenezer Brown has his price, I presume," remarked Father Healy.

"He will sell this land--to an ordinary man--for twice its real value.
To you he will not sell at any price."

"He shall have his price--from you. It will be worth four times its real
value in a few years. Go and buy the land."

Thus was the site acquired, to the great indignation and consternation
of the late owner.

"I might have named my own price if I had known who wanted it," he
growled.

"You named your price, exactly double the