the post. Often with
trembling, always with eager, hands the packets are opened; sometimes
they give satisfaction, and afford subjects for pleasant conversation
for many a day; but at others, and too often, they bring news to grieve
the hearts of their readers. Such had been the case with the Gilpins,
some time back, when a letter with a broad black border arrived, and
told them of the death of a father they had so much reason to reverence
and love. Several changes had taken place in their family circle.
Their eldest brother had married; and their two sisters seemed doubtful,
when they last heard from home, whether or not they should continue to
reside with him.

The two brothers were sitting together in their nicely furnished
dining-room. The dark wainscoting and the proportions of the apartment
reminded them of the one they had loved so well in their far-off home in
the old country. A dray had just arrived from the west, and Green made
his appearance with the letter-bag in hand. Eagerly the contents were
glanced over.

"Arthur, they are coming--both the dear girls, Jane and Susan--and
Willie as an escort!" exclaimed James, in a tone of great satisfaction.

"Oh! it will be delightful. How pleased Fanny and Emily will be!" cried
Arthur.

Indeed, no event could by possibility have caused the brothers more true
pleasure; and, as may be supposed, it formed the subject for
conversation for the remainder of the evening and for many evenings
afterwards. Of course it was necessary for James to ride over to
Prentiss Town to announce the event.

"As soon after they arrive as it can be arranged," was the reply made by
Fanny to a question put to her during his visit. It seemed highly
satisfactory, and was received with strong marks of gratitude.

When James returned home, Arthur was not happy till he could set off to
Prentiss Town. He must have put a question to Emily, not unlike that
which James put to Fanny.

"Perhaps the same day that my sister is," was her reply.

Not long after, James set off for Sydney. Arthur would gladly have gone
also, but what with their own flocks and herds, and the numerous ones
over which they had charge, it was, they thought, scarcely fair to
Craven to leave him so long alone. Of late, too, there had been reports
of wonderful discoveries of gold--nuggets to rival those of California;
and some of the shepherds and stockmen had already gone off to the
region where the gold was rep