Evening star., 1938-10-02

gained minor triumph The fact that they persuaded
a pilot fly them miles Of wilderness, the fact
that they'd the nerve to do it. raised them higher in
general estimation. Then they struck again with the
announcement that they would hold church service IN
the dining Sundays.
But I'm Catholic mesef Mr.. O'Brien objected.
But Mr.. O'Brien,' said Agnes, we intend to make
it quite undenomlnatonal Just few hymns. and that
nice young Mr.. Toby has agreed to read the lesson
They did it. of course, aided and abetted by Toby
Drewe, who thought it quite the most amusing thing
that ever happened at Nufa. And they had con-
gregation too As Toby pointed out it wouldn't do to
let the poor old dears down. SO they shutfed ln and
Miss Potter played hymns on the piano which had
many dumb notes. and after the first sheepshness had
passed it wasn't bad fun in place where so little out
of the ordinary happened. Besides the two old ladies
were so delighted that it worth wasting halt an
hour and feeling bit of an idiot.
The Sunday service became fixture, and men who
loathed missionaries tumbed for money to save the
heather when Agnes bobbed round with the Clipped
plate from the sdeboard Her gratitude better value
than Mr.. O O'Briens liquor.
Toby Drewe was their staunChest adnirer. and they
always had special smiles for him. When friend who
had flown up from Australia in his own plane to see the
fields offered Toby and King lift South for their leave,
which was due the old ladies disConsolate They
seemed even more distressed than the circumstances
watch the take off
Its naughty OF YOU to run away like this. Agnes
SAID.
Yes naughty and foolish Emmeline nodded,
IN be back, he promised.
I'VE don't think YOU will, somehow" Agnes spoke
with queer significance.
Wait and see,' Toby, taking them by surprise,
kissed each II turn.
well, -" Agnes and Emmeline chorused, covered
with delighted confusion
A cheer followed Toby. he climbed in, the propeller
whrred the plane bumped across the rough field and,
taking wing became shining thing of grace and beauty
in the sky. Nuta went back to work
Not for long a few hours later the Sat0ram came in
three DAYS ahead OF schedule Her arrival always
an event but this occasion it proved to be an even
greater one than when she brought the old ladies'
The manager of Narramln Goldfelds Ltd. opened
his safe and with his staff prepared transfer the
precious contents to the strongroom of the Sataram
The clerk puzzled as he lifted out the first box.
Feels mighty light, he said. "Cripes, look here.
The seal had been broken All the boxes were light, all
the seals broken. Though the lock had not been dam
aged, gold worth S50OOO had been stolen, and sand
and stones put in its place.
In matter of minutes the news spread through the
settlement and an excited crowd gathered. The very
ISOLATION and primveness of Nufa had made that
safe seem the only necessary precautlon.
The sun struck down with hot swords, but nobody
heeded The seethed with agitated voices The Ian
lage was lurid though the two old ladies' were
present The harassed District Officer and the Mortified
manager could be seen hurrying to and fro, holding
bret and earnest conferences.
1t had to come, No names were mentioned, but
the same thought was in a score of minds
All but faith. said Mr.. O5rien. they d never be
doing it Fine Young fellows and ALL the pair of them
si1 ChaDCng
his plane.
The DO will think of that you bet your bte. And
he'll wireless Australia II IS them they re done for.
Even as the words spoken a clerk sprnted OFT
towards the radio station.
Well knew he a crazy guy, but not as crazy
as that OF course, he didn't figure on the SG01am
getting in today