Little Falls transcript., 1885-01-23
by FvE GlGN ANTAGONIST.
"And You are going home?"
"Yes. I am going home"

opposite me. But then Gurney was
down on his luck, and that was hardly
to be wondered at, when a young ne'er-
do we'll like me could realize in two
brief years the wealth that he had
toi]ed for patiently during haf-a-score
in vain.
"And you'll settle down in that old
country and be a steady practical man
for the future?" he said, looking at me
wistfully.
"Yes, and I'll marry jamie, and make
her happy and proud of ME; and you'll
visit us, Gnrney, won't you, to SEQ how
have taken all your good counsel and
my own good luck to heart ?"
"Maybe, maybe; I don't PROMISE" !"
smiling thoughtfuljy and stroking his
silkcn beard as he spoke; "but you
have had rare fortune, young one; and
you d. we'll to sit down now, and con-
a !.':l how to do the very best will. your
self. It is not everyone who finds him
self at tN cnty five with q University
education and realised fortune, and a
sweet faithful girl waiting for him at
home. But that is the way OF things
chance gives you that because you were
bad boy to begin with, while /, who
was as steady always Us Rhatlamanthus
and the remaining judges, have hand
full of nuggets for my whole capital and
a grave under the wattletrees to mark
the end Of my love-story. Hardly fair,
liz it, young one?"
"Horribly unfair" answered warm
ly, "but your turn will come; it always
does to the deserving and patient. And
as to nae, why my end is not seen yet.
Call man huppy till he is dead. aud
know"
a fam smile broke ever his face.
"Do you think envy you or grudge
you anything? Oh no, I am not such a
bad fellow as that. / would not take
from you one g]eam Of your content
ment If could. [ am satisfied both for
you and tor myself Prosperity is the
pabulum you will thrive on, while I
should be the same under any fortune
We were on our way together down
the main street Of Iarrangower he COM
ing from the store where he had been
disposing Of some gold dust to an agent
who paid three-pense an ounce more
for it than the bank price, from tho
New South Wales Bank, whence / had
been drawing my fortune in the bulk of
ono hundred pound British notes
1T is scarcely safe to carry all that
around here" an acquaintance vensured
warningly, as was buttoning the mon
ey into the pocket Of my moleshin trou-
sc1s.
Il shall take the number Of the notes
by-andby," [ answered carelessly.
"You know T shall sail for England
next week.
sand why not have that money trans
ferred to the bank there for safety, and
your own comfort in travelling, and a
hundred reasons?" the man asked in
surprise.
''i like it this way; like the feel of
il about me, and convenience is alto
yether u matter OF oproion."
Then l went out whistling not
through dcarth, bnt through, abundance
Of thought. That bulky roll represent
ed love and triumph, and reconciliation
with the family at home, who had
feignad to despair Of me once.
''Oh, jamie, jamie, how fond and
faithful you have been!" ! thought
tumultuouslv. "Heaven helping me-,
my fi1ture Will be wortnier Of You than
my past has been"
And then had encountered Gurney,
and, linking my arm in his, we had
walked down the street together while I
dilated to him on my prospects.
"fou go to Europe next week, and I
start up the country tomorrow, ard it
may be we shall never meet again." he
ss1a regrctflllly.
"Ihen let us drink stirrup-cup at
parting," I sand, drawing him towards
the open door Of Tho Kangaroo.
"A stirrnp cup Of water, if you will. :"
''praaching again" I said pettlshly.
mo, not preaching; only urging YOU,
by our friendship, to make me- happy"
"Nhat is it to you"
II like you; want to know you safe
befoI you leave me-"
twisted myself away from him i'm
patiently
Nc man has ever called me q drunk
ard" l said
"No, certainly not, and I want to
make sure nc man ever will"
T. hesitated, looking at him doubt
fuilv.
Surely it is in the hour of our great
egs triumph that we should most read
lily bring our sacrifice to the altar"
"All right" I said, bl1,shing. 81
promise"
4'promise what?"
"'ro abstain from intoxicating drinks
NJ beverages for ever" laughing un
comfortably.
he stretched out his big hand and
graspcd mine.
II aru satisfied about you now. young
one, never was before. Heaven bless
you" And then we sauntered into the
saloon together, and drank glass Of
ginger-beer. amicably chatting in "
desultory way.
Group ps Of two and three were scat
tered here and there about the bar,
chatting noisly for the most part,
though q few drank deeply in sullen
silence; but except the lounger by the
door, who stood with his hands plunged
deeply in his pockets, and his slouch-
hat drawn low over his restless eyes,
each man had some mate to reflect his
humnr or contradict it.
@That is the italian fellow" I whis-
pered nodding towards him.
Eyes: cleaned out or thereabouts," :"
Gurney answered in low tone, aud
then we turned to leave together.
As we passed ont some impulse