Page 182 - A Little Bush Maid

"That’s all right, then. Tell Anderson T think it’s typhoid, and if he thinks we
can move him, let Wright follow the doctor out with the

express-wagon--Mrs. Brown will know what to send to make it
comfortable. Can you manage Bobs?"

"Yes--of course."

Mr. Linton put his hand on her shoulder.

"T’ve got to let you go," he said. "Tt’s the only way. Remember, T won’t have
a minute’s peace until T know you’ve got safely home."

"T’ll be all right, Daddy--true. And T’ll hurry. Don’t bother about me."

"Bother!" he said. "My little wee mate." He kissed her twice.
"Now--hurry!"

Bobs, grazing peacefully under a big gum tree, was startled by a little
figure, staggering beneath saddle and bridle. Tn a minute Norah was on his
back, and they were galloping across the plain towards home.

A young man sat on the cap of the stockyard fence at Billabong homestead,
swinging his legs listlessly and wishing for something to do. He blessed the

impulse that had brought him to the station before his time, and wondered
if things were likely to be always as dull.

"Unless my small pupil stirs things up, T don’t fancy this life much," he said
moodily, in which he showed considerable impatience of judgment, being

but a young man.

Across the long, grey plain a tiny cloud gathered, and the man watched it
lazily. Gradually it grew larger, until it resolved itself into dust--and the