think he is too slow, I have great
work to talk to him, but he is very kind, and I like him. He seems to
remember you well, and often says you were a game youngster, and could
ride like old Nick himself.

I wrote to the owner of Five-Bob desiring to know if what I heard
concerning his good fortune was correct, and he replied by return post:

My dear little Syb,

Yes, thank goodness it is all true. The old lady left me nearly a
million. It seems like a fairy yarn, and I will know how to value it more
now. I would have written sooner, only you remember our bargain, and I
was just waiting to get things fixed up a little, when I'm off at great
tracks to claim you in the flesh, as there is no need for us to wait
above a month or two now if you are agreeable. I am just run to death. It
takes a bit of jigging to get things straight again, but it's simply too
good to believe to be back in the same old beat. I've seen Gertie a good
many times, and find your descriptions of her were not at all overdrawn.
I won't send any love in this, or there would be a "bust up" in the
post-office, because I'd be sure to overdo the thing, and I'd have all
the officials on to me for damages. Gather up your goods and chattels,
because I'll be along in a week or two to take possession of you.

Yr devoted

Hal.

I screwed the letter in two and dropped it into the kitchen-fire.

I knew Harold meant what he had said. He was a strong-natured man of firm
determinations, and having made up his mind to marry me would never for
an instant think of anything else; but I could see what he could not see
himself--that he had probably tired of me, and was becoming enamoured of
Gertie's beauty.

The discordance of life smote hard upon me, and the letter I wrote was
not pleasant. It ran:

To H. A. BEECHAM, Esq.,
Five-Bob Downs Station,
Gool-Gool, N.S.W.

Sir,

Your favour duly to hand. I heartily rejoice at your good fortune, and
trust you may live long and have health to enjoy it. Do not for an
instant consider yourself under any obligations to me, for you are
perfectly free. Choose some one who will reflect more credit on your
taste and sense.

With all good wishes,
Faithfully yrs,
S. Penelope Melvyn.

As I closed and directed this how far away Harold Beecham seemed! Less
than two years ago I had been familiar with every curve and expression of
his face, every outline of his great figure, every intonation of his
strong cultivated