ssier of Caddagat, and great friend and intimate
of the swell Beechams of Five-Bob Downs station. At Goulburn I was only
the daughter of old Dick Melvyn, broken-down farmer-cockatoo, well known
by reason of his sprees about the commonest pubs in town.

Mr Goodchum told us it was his first experience of the country, and
therefore he was enjoying himself immensely. He also mentioned that he
was anxious to see some of the gullies around Caddagat, which, he had
heard, were renowned for the beauty of their ferns. Aunt Helen,
accordingly, proposed a walk in the direction of one of them, and hurried
off to attend to a little matter before starting. While waiting for her,
Harold happened to say it was my birthday, and Mr Goodchum tendered me
the orthodox wishes, remarking, It is surely pardonable at your time of
life to ask what age you have attained today?"

"Seventeen."

"Oh! oh! 'sweet seventeen, and never been kissed'; but I suppose you
cannot truthfully say that, Miss Melvyn?"

"Oh yes, I can."

"Well, you won't he able to say it much longer," he said, making a
suggestive move in my direction. I ran, and he followed, grannie
reappearing from the dining-room just in time to see me bang the garden
gate with great force on my pursuer.

"What on earth is the girl doing now?" I heard her inquire.

However, Mr Goodchum. did not execute his threat; instead we walked along
decorously in the direction of the nearest ferns, while Harold and aunt
Helen followed, the latter carrying a sunbonnet for me.

After we had climbed some distance up a gully aunt Helen called out that
she and Harold would rest while I did the honours of the fern grots to my
companion.

We went on and on, soon getting out of sight of the others.

"What do you say to my carving our names on a gum-tree, the bark is so
nice and soft?" said the bank clerk; and I seconded the proposal.

"I will make it allegorical," he remarked, setting to work.

He was very deft with his penknife, and in a few minutes had carved S. P.
M. and A. S. G., encircling the initials by a ring and two hearts
interlaced.

"That'll do nicely," he remarked, and turning round, "Why, you'll get a
sunstroke; do take my hat."

I demurred, he pressed the matter, and I agreed on condition he allowed
me to tie his handkerchief over his head. I was wearing his hat and tying
the ends of a big silk handkerchief beneath his chin when the cracking of
a twig caused me to look up and see Har