The herald., 1893-10-26
/ ONLY A STORY. ).

-
1t was rather remarkable ball, this.
Not only were most Of the bigwigs of
Brisbane present, as well as the girls.for
q hundrad 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-
e0lately frCm hempen ropes or confinsd
In convict prisons for the greater ire
manning part of their mortal lives.
But theyswere a rough and readyCom-
niunity in ethose days, taking life, as it
came.
Edith GaSton, as Tyroiese damsel,
was charming. Every one saidS SO, and
you could see,by the bright eyes'and sat
isfied face of tgee girl that she knew it.
One of her partners Whispered to her
10 take note of "a certain handsome fell
low in cavalier dress.
'That is the celebrated Murphy" he
paid. Keep it dark. He's not such a
brute as the rest. There's a4speck of the
devil in him, but he's notxso 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 theihandsome
cavalier.
His opportunity soon came Edith was
waiting for her next partmer-waiting
with evident impatience, moreover. Her
neat little foot tapped the floor more
than once, and she frowned. She was
hot used to being neglected.
Mr.. Murphy didno hesitate. He, with
fascinating bow, asked if he might be
privileged to fill UP the gap which had
Accidentally Che laid sweet stress upon
the word) occurred in her programme.
After the dance the cavalier was loatE
10 let her go. He took her into a cool
bower of palms, and for five minutes they
talked on equal terms.
81 consider that you have done me
an unforgetable favor in condescendane
20 dance with me-" said the bushrauger
flor I've not doubt you know who'll am
better than the police"
II admit that have an idea of6t," re.
piled the girl, with light laugh. "Why
don't you become"-
Respectable? Is that it?"
'.Well, more or less. You know it is
hot much of profession, this picking of
pockets, is it now?'
There was real earnestnessli i'm the girls
eyes as she said these words.
The cavalier looked hard at his COM
panion. There was deep seated regret
learning and mnch else in his expression
10 Edith assured herself afterward.
1T ii l.
the blood runs in my veins, Miss Castor"
laid Mr.. Murphy. .'Never. l am your
,ervant, remember Nthat. And now l 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
aad disappeared from the room. 1t was
more of q relief than seemed reasonable
when she ascertained later that he had
hot 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 we'll with you
You know as wells Inc there's rogues
About, but they II respect your reverence's
cloth, make no doubt"
Mods and good wishes were exchanged,
and then Mr.. Jones and his man began
10 ride out of Brisbane toward the inte-
Nor. They had journey of about 100
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-
tected by small but effective band of
bushYangers, of whom Captain Murphy,
rs he was called, was the leader
Even then the parson was not scared.
He had but little money with him, and
ais 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,
Is they said in Brisbane, are our protec-
don"
They were at length only an hours
ride from the station where they pro-
posed to pass the night. The parson had,
fact, just lit a fresh pipe, convinced in
lis own mind that nothing was about to
iappen, when suddenly the scrub parted
III both sides of them, and from out the
,oweriDg underground OF the forest
,tepped six men of the approved, oz rather
lne much dlsepproyed, uushr2nger type.
MT. Jones had, in fact, begun to turn
put his pockets before being bidden, when
the chief Of the robber band politely
ttopped him.
''No, no" he said, with smile. "Only
four clothes, sir. You and your man
will be well cared or-somewhere-for
tweek or two, and | am going to be the
sew vicar of Leyburn. have 3 fair