Page 52 - An Australian Lassie

The old man's anger blazed fiercely.

"Look here my girl," he said, "you can tell your father it's a bit late in the day for these games. Tell him T've
got the only grandchild here that ever T want. Now--go."

But Betty stood her ground.

"My father didn't send me," she said, and her face went from red to white. "He didn't know T was coming at
all--and--sure's death! he never knew anything about the ghosts. T came to get Cyril adopted because he's
getting tired of cutting wood an' only getting a penny a week."

The old man broke into a hoarse laugh.

"And this time to get yourself adopted," he said.

But Betty shook her head vigorously.

"No, T only wanted to see what sort of woman to be," she said. She walked to the open window.

"T'm not going to adopt you," said the old man, "so go--GO! Never let me see you inside my gates again--by
day or by night. Go!"

And once more Betty took a swift departure by way of the balcony door. And again she left a bonnet behind
her.