a thousand people to look at 'em, both the girls were flushed up a good
deal. It set them off first-rate. I never saw either of them look so
handsome before. Old Barnes had come down well for once, and they were
dressed in real good style--hadn't overdone it neither.

When the tying-up fakement was over everything went off first-rate. The
bridegroom was a hardy-looking, upstanding young chap that looked as
if work was no trouble to him. Next to a squatter I think a Government
surveyor's the best billet going. He can change about from one end of
the district to another. He has a good part of his time the regular free
bush life, with his camp and his men, and the harder he works the more
money he makes. Then when he comes back to town he can enjoy himself
and no mistake. He is not tied to regular hours like other men in the
service, and can go and come when he likes pretty well. Old Barnes would
be able to give Bella and her sister a tidy bit of money some day, and
if they took care they'd be comfortable enough off after a few years.
He might have looked higher, but Bella would make any man she took to a
slashing good wife, and so she did him. So the parson buckles them
to, and the last words were said. Starlight steps forward and says, 'I
believe it's the custom in all circles to salute the bride, which I
now do,' and he gave Bella a kiss before every one in the most high and
mighty and respectful manner, just as if he was a prince of the blood.
At the same time he says, 'I wish her every happiness and good fortune
in her married life, and I beg of her to accept this trifling gift as
a souvenir of the happy occasion.' Then he pulls off a ring from his
little finger and slips it on hers. The sun glittered on it for a
moment. We could see the stones shine. It was a diamond ring, every one
could see. Then the Commissioner steps forward and begs to be permitted
the same privilege, which made Bella laugh and blush a bit. Directly
after Mr. Chanewood, who had stood quiet enough alongside of his wife,
tucked her arm inside of his and walked away down the church, as if he
thought this kind of thing was well enough in its way, but couldn't be
allowed to last all day.

When they got into the carriage and drove off the whole church
was cleared, and they got such a cheer as you might have heard at
Tambaroora. The parson was the only living soul left near the building
in five minutes. Everybody was in such a hurry to get back to the