atform raised on four
uprights, and all was open underneath. The sergeant examined it. He
climbed to the top, removed the lid and, striking a light, looked in. The
tank was full of water.

'I am going to hunt over the quarries,' said the trooper in a low voice,
as he mounted. 'Donovan and Keel are taking a run in the paddock, Casey
will try the houses about here. You might keep your eyes open, Hardy.
Perhaps that boy was mistaken, but we mustn't miss a chance.'

Harry nodded, scarcely comprehending what the man said, and Monk rode off
leaving the two alone. For a minute or more they continued in the same
position; then Harry stole to Chris, and kneeling in the shadow by her
side took her hand firmly in his.

'He is there,' he whispered.

'What are you going to do?' she added in a strange voice.

'Why don't you get him away?'

'Away?' she murmured vaguely.

'Yes, yes; I will help you.' His left arm clasped her closely, and his
breath was on her cheek.

She turned her face towards him, and there was a new hope in it, another
spirit in her glorious eyes.

'You are not going to give him up.'

'I can't--I can't do it!'

'Thank God!' she murmured, and there was some thing more than relief for
her father's sake in her tone. He had made a revelation that filled her
with a passion of joy which for a moment drove out the fears and
anxieties that had possessed her heart.

'I love you--I love you, dear,' he continued in a voice ardent,
caressing; 'an' I can't bear to see you suffer.'

She let her face sink to his and kissed him on the mouth, and he clasped
her to his breast and held her, repeating again and again expressions of
his devotion that love made eloquent. Her pale face turned to him seemed
luminous with the ecstacy of the moment. For a brief sweet minute she
abandoned herself to that ecstacy and forgot everything beside.

'I have always loved you, my darling! my darling!' she whispered--'
always. That night at the gate I thought you cared and I was happy, but
afterwards I was afraid. I thought you might hate me for his sake, and I
was wretched.'

'I did try to, Chris--I tried to hate you. I was a fool. I couldn't do
anything but love in spite of myself, an' now I'll help you, dear.'

'No, no, no, Harry; no--you must not!' She put him from her with her
strong arms. 'It is wrong. I cannot let you. It is right that I should
fight for him--he is my father. He has been a good father to me, and I
have loved