The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-07-28

us. IT She refuses me, you may rely upon i, will do my best to promote your suit for as you well know, your happiness stands next 10 my own. But let us talk no more of this. No signs of any rain yet v
 No" replied Arthur. sulilily. as he reflled his pipe, bending his head down so as to conceal his face from his com pAnion.
 Well, this drought grows serious. for feed is tremendously scarce, although or the whole we have no reason ;o com plain, for tha; las, mob of cattle we took 10 For, Phillip realized frst-class prices, and we are much better of than our neighbors. With the down-cor,ing of the rain we must start after s;ore-ca,tle. which expec, will be hard 10 ge, in this part of the colony"
 Arthur assen.ed wit a rod of the head 10 the observations of his cousin. and then. proceeding to locker. took there from jar of spirits. which. w.:h two i glasses and a jug of water. he placed upon the table-the water was procured from small bu, perennial spring, a priceless treasure in the district which flowed from the base of rock a: some little distance from the house.
 That's right" :" exclaimed Robert. Let's be mery--le,'s drink to the old hut. our first home in the colony-ay. and to the grand new house Hepburn $ Hope as the old man calls i,,' .' Here's to the old hut. and to Hep. burns Hope, and success to your love making, Robert replied Arthur tossing of his glass with gayesy he did no; feel. Do you sleep here ,o-night:'
 "Yes, lad I'm too tired to ride home tonight" said Robert, stretching ou. his arms and legs lazily. for during the las, two days he had been riding from run to run. making inquiries after valuable imported bull which had gone as.ray. and of which he had not been able to find any traces. Tin regularly done up. tired as dog, though I fancy can ride as tar and as long as any m m in the coll ony. Ba, you'll go to the Hope. Of course for. although there's no feat of ] bush-rangers or black fellows, don, think it wogld be nigh, for both of Us 70 be away al the same time; do you. Arthur.
 No. COZ I'll sit with you l,ile while and then I'll r.ie home-keep watch and ward over the treasure of your near,. said Arthur, with tinge ot bi.,er- ness in his voice. which he coeli no; suppress.
 No more of this. fe,olned Ro5er, I though; We had agreed na; b refer 10 the sublec; again.
 Bu; i, can, be unplelsan, to you. persisted Arthur, with ! laugh. as he re- nlled his glass.
 Bu: i; Is to you. mate replied Robert: /" and wha, causes you pain does the like to me. Well. shall no; be long before I'm oti' to Bedfordshire. for mus, be up early; and you. with some of the men. had better be here be;imes ,o-moy4 row morning. While the air Is sill we had better burn the grass around the hr. it ough, ;o have been done before-for fl a gale should come from the nor.h- ward. the place will be reduced to dus. and ashes before we know wha: We are about. should be sorry if the old shan,y came 10 grief for the sake of the happy time we have spen. ,a l..
 Alter another pipe and several ae;emps 10 induce Arthur 10 toiu ,n conversation, ,il oi whi ,h proved fy:iie ani ] tnai ,onk around the house. and a; ,ae sNy. nom which. ai intervals. the moon saone brightly. tinsins the murky mo;ionless clouds wit. lines Q: silver. and i.,.inS in shifting sleams upon the .ie eNpanse o. totes;-tanse which lay around. Robe,; began 10 make preparations for fe;uins 10. the night.
 Don't drink too nuch of tha, stuff. lad" ne said, as he pulled otf his top. boots. Is good friend Is drop of grog, but unfortunately a friend we can, readily shake of If we make 100 much ot him. Don, fall in;o ,ha, mistake. Ar thar.
 Never mind ne Bob In vel. ab.e 70 take care of myself" repnei Arthur, ,es,i.y
 No otienss lad don, doab; k, ] Ne-.hank Heaven. with t,. the.r faal;s never heard of Hepburn ye; who was a drankari.
 Bu, they say I'm no, a Hepburn. :" remarked Arthur. in an actlm ,aloGs tone. I'm like the Roher;sons my mothers side
 Pshaw Ot wha, are you talking ; iegr name Is Hepburn. lsn', II, NoG se Hepburn blood in your vens. and the true hear, of Hepburn beats ia yoG. bosom. doesn'. i,: Well you ms, ex. clse me !: l, grows late and can scarcely keep my eyes open. Bu, don, stop too long and Rober, was going to add. Don't drink too much" bu: was afraid of rousins the temper ot his cousin When you 90. if I'm asleep. lock the door and pu, the key under ii don; suppose anything is likely to disturb me but, It strangers should turn up. lock vii. give the alarm. he said. IS he suoked the head ot thoroughbred Scotch collie, and then. with last good night. wen, into the inner room
 Good night. Robert, and pleasaa, dreams replied Arthur. mooiily. IS he resumed his attentions to the spirit IT. alter which he hs fresh pipe. and sa, with his arms resting upon the table.
 Through the halt-cpen door he could dimly see the form of his cousin; he saw him knee. by the li,,le beis;ead. and he knew he was offering up the simple