wnership Waroona Downs flourished, and later he
acquired the largest station in the district. The success he enjoyed at
Waroona Downs followed him. His ownership of Taloona alone made him the
richest man in the community.

But no amount of money could bring back to him the nature which had been
his before the bitterness of betrayal changed him to a misanthropical
cynic. His hatred of women was not appeased by the revenge he had on the
Lambtons and O'Guires. He would not employ a woman; he would not employ
a man who was married; he would not tolerate the presence of a woman on
any of his properties. However valuable a man might be to him as an
employee, instant dismissal was inevitable directly that man announced
his intention of marrying.

In one instance the effect of this rule recoiled almost entirely on his
own head, but that did not deter Dudgeon from adhering to it.

He employed a man, first as overseer, then as manager, and finally as
confidential factotum. Unknown to him, Dudgeon set numberless traps and
pitfalls to test his reliability, and when, on every occasion, the man
came through the tests unscathed, he received so much consideration from
the taciturn old misanthrope, that he was currently regarded in the
light of the heir to the Dudgeon millions.

Perhaps something of the current belief crept into his own mind, for
there came a time when he cast his eyes upon the sister of a neighbour
and, braving the risk of Dudgeon's anger, sought her hand in marriage.
Unfortunately for him she accepted him, and the news, travelling apace,
reached the ears of Dudgeon before the happy lover had a chance to
impart it personally. The old man rode direct to the station.

"I'll have no women folk on my property," he blurted out as soon as he
was face to face with his factotum. "Nor any man who has dealings with
them. Clear out."

It was vain to argue. All appeals to years of bygone service, all
reference to business transactions then pending which would be
jeopardised by the removal of the man who had the negotiations in hand,
were curtly brushed aside. Dudgeon had spoken, and no power on earth
would change him from his purpose. The would-be Benedick had chosen, and
by that choice he had to abide.

From that arose a quarrel with the bank, for the sudden dismissal led to
an important transaction failing for the want of a simple act. The bank
officials, knowing the man with whom they were dealing waited for the
instruc