The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-10-24
ONLY A STORY.

oAV11 "A NJ
1t was rather a remarkable ball, this.
Not only were most of the bigwigs of
Brisbane present, as well as the girls for
q hundred miles inland-at least. the
best of them-but it 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 it
came.
Edith CASTOR, as a Tyrolese damsel,
was charming. Every one said so, and
you could see by the bright eyes and sat
isfed face of the girl that she knew it.
One of her partners whispered to her
70 take note of a certain handsome fell
low in a cavalier dress.
THAT is the celebrated Murphy" he
said. Keep it dark. He's not such a
brute as the rest. There's a speck of the
devil in him, but he's no so very far
wrong at heart"
Now, being a 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-waitlng
with evident Impotence, moreover. Her
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
q fascinating bow, asked if he might be
privileged to fill up the gap which had
accidentally Che laid sweet stress upon
the world occurred in her programme.
After the dance the cavalier was loath
to let her go. He took her into a cool
bower of palms, and for five minutes they
talked on equal terms.
II consider that you have done me
an unforgetable favor in condescending
10 dance with me" said the bushranger,
for I've not a doubt you know who / am
better than the police"
81 admit that / have an idea of it" re
Piled the girl, with a light laugh. "Why
don't You become
Respectable? Is that itT
We'll, more or less. You know it il
not much of a profession, this picking Of
pockets, is it now"
There was real earnestness in the girl!
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.
II shall never forget this dance Will,
the blood runs in my veins, Miss CASTOR,
said Mr.. Murphy. Never. | am you.
servant, remember that. And now I sup
pose some one else wants you. Permi
me to take You back into the ballroom.
Edith remarked that almost immedi
ately afterward the handsome cavalie
had disappeared from the room. It wa
more of a relief than seemed REASONABLE
when she ascertained later that he ha'
not been arrested. q
Now, sir" said the carman to tn
Rev. Jeremiah Jones when he had see
that gentleman into the vehicle whic
was to take him to his new sphere Q
work, q hope all win go well with yor
You know as wells me there's rogue
about, butthey1l respect your reverence
cloth, I make no doubt"
Mods and good wishes were exchanged
and then Mr.. Jones and his man bega
to ride out of Brisbane toward the int
rior. They had a journey of about II
rough miles before them ere they coul
get to Leyburn, of which Mr.. Jones ha
been appointed vicar.
Two days later they were still on Il
road. The forest was pretty thick her
abouts, and houses were exceedingly fe
and far between.
Tom had begun TO show q certain an
iety to reach Leyburn-an anxiety tn
Mr.. Jones did not share until he learn,
that they were now in the country
fected by a small but effective band
~bushrangers, of whom Captain Murph
as he was called, was the leader.
Even then the parsor was not scare
He had but little money with him, al
+, his possessions were not of a very valu
6la hind.
II don't think, = he observed, tive ha
muchto fear. My poverty and my clot
as they said in Brisbane, are prot,
ton
They vsepe at. length only an hon
rides freIr the station where they p
posed 10 pass the night. The parsonh s
n(fact, just lit a fresh pipe. convinced
his own mind that nothing was about
hsppen, when suddenly the scrub part
On both sides OF them, and from out
towering underground of the for
stepped sir men Of the approved, ofratl
~---- - $500