The Odds

ut making my own liv

e animal he had just been riding. Behind her the rays of the Australian sun smote almost level, making of her fair hair a dazzling aureole of gold. The lashes of her blue eyes

s task. It was quite evident that his si

am sure I could make a living, Jack. I'm not the 'new chum' I use

second. "Aren't you

ld boy. But really, you know, I think you've got burdens enough

ore than half the work on the place and not be pa

time filled. I love being useful. It isn't that at all. But all the same, you and Adela are quite complete

een saying t

himself abruptly. His exp

know how she feels, and I should feel exactly the same in her place. Now do be sensible! You must see my point. I'm getting on, you

," he said, gruffly. "But it won't be with my consent-ever-

him by the shoulders. "Now that isn't reasonable of

ntry. It's not a place for lone women. And you're not much more than a child, whatever you may say. It's

hope, as capable. I'm grown up, you silly man! I'm old-older than you are in some ways, even

ms suddenly about her. She nestled to him o

s unexpectedly, and she laid her head upon his shoulder to hide them-"that I can't-live o

right to make a slave of you. I know that.

not necessary to you or to Adela, and-in a way-I'm glad of it. I like to know you two are happy. I'm not a bit jealous, Jack, not a bit. It

"I hate the thought of it," he said. "Giv

head silently

would be a different thing. I would never stand in the way of y

"You think every good woman ou

man waiting for her

m. "I'm not going to marry Fletcher

mpatience. "I never could see yo

rling, a woman doesn't marry a man just because he's not object

o a lot wors

t-in his own sardonic way. And he is a great friend of yours, too, isn't he? That fact

mon hard on Fletch

e eyes very wide.

time," he explained, suffering

astonishment. "Jack! But I

h a shrug of the shoul

ack, what c

een deuced anxious about you often. Australia isn't the place for unprotected girls-at least, not out in the wilds. I've seen-m

it aside instinctively, though he was not looking at her. But the

s. He wouldn't be a magistrate now if he didn't. And when I saw he wanted you, I made up my mind he should have you if I could possibly work it

a great effort. "Then he'd better stop wai

nd marry him? He's such a good sort if you only get to know him well. You've always kept him at arm's length, haven't you? We

till lingered in her eyes. "But, dear old Jack,

happy. I know that. You want to stretch your wings, you say. Well, there's only one way of doing it, for you can't go out into the world-this world-alon

er shoulders again, ho

a suppressed sob. "I'm sure it

ime? A myth, an illusion, that can never come true! You've no right to spoil your own l

with a piteous gesture. "He-s

stroked it. "And if he had-do you think I would ever h

d my life-at the risk of his own," s

of tenderness and contempt. "Women always fall in love with that sort of fellow," he said. "Heaven knows why.

r a space, then lifted her fac

y silly sentiment," he urged. "You can't feel bad abou

fool, aren't I, Jack? Yet-somehow-do y

t away! He's not quite so simple as that, my dear. He probably cleared out of Australia for good as so

ot laughing at me, Jack," she said. "Don't-e

ink she would. She'd say you w

nd very sensib

en that chapter is closed. And-you're

don't know. I can't promise th

e teased by her horrid bully of a brother! She's going to play

a few inconsequent remarks, sauntered away in the direct