The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. 243 he went home without her. Still, there are yet plucky young chaps beyond the ranges, and I count on bringing one back all right.’’ ‘* But she may not ’’ Wilton began. Giles looked at him quizzically. ‘‘May not?’’ hesaid. ‘‘ Well, I manage things here, and if she does not choose to follow her father’ s advice in such a matter as this, she’ll have to put up with what follows.’ : ““You mean that she would have ‘“T mean that I’d not be bothered any more with her up here,’’ Wilton sat smoking in silence for some minutes while he thought rapidly and clearly. It was very evident that the father had little real affection for the girl, and that his chief desire now was to get her, as he put it, off his hands. It was impossible to conjecture what sort of a man he might be who was to be brought from over the ranges, but whoever he was, Wilton felt, with all the jealous apprehension of a lover, that he would be particularly repugnant to Mary. It was quite sufficient, in his state of mind, to deter- mine him, and he said quickly : ‘‘ There are men this side of the range as well as the other.’’ Giles eyed him critically before he answered. ‘What of that?’’ ‘One of them might be prepared to take your daughter ‘““Meaning yourself?’’ Giles interrupted, leaning forward and looking into Wilton’s face. : ‘““Why not?’’ he replied evasively, not caring for the keen, suspicious scrutiny of the other’s eyes. ‘Well, my lad, because there’s next door to no stock on Meleelee, and what there is belongs to two men; because you’re a marked man with the gang and will never be safe till they’re all wiped out, and otherwise, because you might leave a widow any day, and lump the burden on to me again. And, if you want any more reasons, because I’ve passed my word to two smart young chaps over there that they have first say. One of them came and went, and now the other has a run for it. After that, supposing he shies, too, like his mate did, there may be a chance for Meleelee, but it’s a poor one at any time.’’ > Me CHAPTER XIV.—TuHE TRACK PAsskKs BILLAH. As if to prevent any further discussion of the matter, Giles inquired when Farrell was expected to reach Meleelee. Wilton, feeling irritated at the man- ner in which the other had received his approaches with regard Mary, answered shortly. “What route will he take?’’ Giles asked, ignoring the bruskness of the other’s reply. ‘‘’ That is more than I know, except that he will ety to come round by Dimsdale’s, down the river, for there’s some stock there for him to pick up.’’ ‘When was he to leave Sydney ?’’ Giles asked. ‘‘ About a week since,’’ Wilton answered. Eomicbooks 5}