The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-10-18
ONLY A STORY.

1t was rather remarkable ball, this.
Not only were most Of the bigwigs of
Brisbane present, as we'll as the girls for
a hundred miles inland-at least. the
best of them-but 1t was an open secret
that some men were present who ought
either to have been swinging discon-
solately from hempen ropes or confined
in convict prisons for the greater re-
manning part of their mortal lives.
But they were a rough and ready com.
munity in those days, taking life as II
came.
Edith CASTOR, as a Tyrolese damsel
was charming. Every one said SO, and
you could see by the bright eyes and sat
isfied face of the girl that she knew it.
One of her partners whispered to hei
to take note of a certain handsome fel
low in cavalier dress.
"That is the celebrated Murphy" he
said. "Keep it dark. He's not such 9
brute as the rest. There's speck of the
devil in him, but he's not so very fal
wrong at heart"
Now, being romantic and strong ma
tured girl, it needed no more than this
confidential hint to excite in Edith an
overmastering interest in the handsome
cavalier.
His opportunity soon came. Edith was
waiting for her next partner-waiting
with evident impotence, moreover. Hel
neat little foot tapped the floor more
than once, and she frowned. She was
not used to being neglected.
Mr.. Murphy did not hesitate. He, with
fascinating bow, asked if he might bt
privileged to fill up the gap which hat
accidentally Che laid sweet stress upor
the world occurred in her programme.
After the dance the cavalier was loatl
to let her go. He took her into a COO
bower Of palms, and for five minutes they
talked on equal terms.
II consider that you have done me
an unforgetable favor in condescendine
to dance with me-" said the bushranger
"for I've not a doubt you know who am
better than the police"
~ admit that have an idea of it," re-
piled the girl, with light laugh. "Why
don't you become"-
Respectable? Is that it?"
"Well, more or less. You know it is
not much of profession, this picking OF
pockets, is 1t nowp"
There was real earnestness in the girls
eyes as she said these words.
The cavalier looked hard at his com.
panion. There was deep seated regret
yearning and much else in his expression
SO Edith assured herself afterward.
81 shall never forget this dance while
the blood runs in my veins, Miss CASTOR,
said Mr.. Murphy. "Never. am your
servant, remember that. And now sup
pose some one else wants you. Permit
me to take you back into the ballroom.
Edith remarked that almost immedi.
ately afterward the handsome cavalier
had disappeared from the room. 1t was
more of relief than seemed reasonable
when she ascertained later that he had
not been arrested.
"Now, SIR" said the carman to the
Rev. jeremiah Jones when he had seen
that gentleman into the vehicle which
was to take him to his new sphere OF
work, 81 hope all will go well with you.
You know as wells me there's rogues
about, but they'l respect your reyerence's
cloth, make no doubt"
Mods and good wishes were exchanged
and then Mr.. Jones and his man began
to ride out Of Brisbane toward the inte-
rior. They had journey of about loo
rough miles before them ere they could
get to Leyburn, of which Mr.. Jones had
been appointed vicar.
Two days later they were still on the
road. The forest was pretty thick here
abouts, and houses were exceedingly few
and far between.
Tom had begun to show certain anx.
iety to reach Leyburn-an anxiety that
Mr.. Jones did not share until he learned
that they were now in the country af.
fected by small but effective band OF
bushrangers, Of whom Captain Murphy,
as he was called, was the leader.
Even then the parson was not scared.
He had but little money with him, and
his possessions were not of very valua-
BILE kind.
81 don't think" he observed, 1--WE have
much to fear. My poverty and my cloth,
as they said in Brisbane, are our protec-
ton"
They were at length only an hours
ride from the station where they pro-
posed to pass the night. The parson had,
in fact, just lit a fresh pipe, convinced in
his own mind that nothing was about to
happen, when suddenly the scrub parted
on both sides of them, and from out the
towering underground of the forest
stepped six men Of the approved, or rather
the much disapproved, bushranger type.
Mr.. Jones had, In fact, begun to turn
out his pockets before being hidden. when
the chief Of the robber band politely
stopped him.
mo, no." he said, with smile. "Only
your clothes, sir. You and your man
will be well cared for-somewhere-
q week or two, and am going to be the
new vicar of Leyburn. have fair
smattering Of theology, acquired during
more serious hours In England. hope,
therefore, I shall not disgrace you"
The bushranger having attired himself
In the parsons clothes, the new vicar Of
Leyburn produced false beard that was
an admirable facsimile Of Mr.. Jones'