However, as little time as possible was lost. Both Farryher and McDermott, who happened to ride over to the Grange that morning, joined in the pursuit; Farryher fulminating dire threats against Master Harry, for his daring abduction of the young lady; and McDermott avowing, with oaths peculiar to himself, that it was the rummiest start ever he heard of. I shall not attempt to describe the chase-if chase it might be called, where the runaways had obtained such a start. Suffice it to say, that neither whip nor spur were spared; and that the good nags chosen for the occasion did their devoir bravely. By evening, the party clattered into Branxholme. Now, if the kind reader who has followed this veracious narrative so far, imagine that Bob Charlton and his friends arrived too late; that the knot had been already tied, and that Mrs. St. George (Miss Charlton no longer) implored her papa's forgiveness; that floods of tears were shed, and so on-if the reader imagine that that is all that remains to be told, he is very much mistaken. Harry St. George, as he might have anticipated before he undertook so rash and ill-advised a proceeding, was unable to find any minister of religion ready to credit his hastilyconcocted narrative, or to perform the marriage-ceremony. Questions were asked, and delays required, which were fatal to the lovers. There was not another town within eighty miles, and it was impossible to push for it without affording some rest and refreshment to the young lady. Mr. St. George was at a nonplus. As they were discussing a meal which Harry had ordered at the principal hostelry, the sounds of horse's hoofs broke in upon the ears of the lovers. "By Jove, they are here!" exclaimed Harry, leaping up and running to the window. And, sure enough, a few minutes afterwards, the door flew open, and in rushed Mr. Charlton, Frank Farryher, Tom McDermott, and McTavish. "So, sir," exclaimed the enraged parent, "we 've caught you, have we! And a pretty rascal you are!" "Oh, papa," pleaded the trembling Flora. "Don't speak to me, you disgraceful girl-I blush for you," roared the indignant squatter. "By Heaven, sir," said Frank Farryher, excitedly to Harry; "if it were not that I think you unworthy of notice, I'd blow your brains out." "And I'd punch your head for yer," followed the practical McDermott. 'Upon my soul, you've got a pretty cheek—I'm blest if you have n't! "To dare to think of marrying this lady-" "Gentlemen," replied St. George, when his antagonists paused at length for breath-" gentlemen, you are rather too many for me. If you'll excuse me, I'll leave the field for the present in your possession." And, turning abruptly, he left the room before any interference could be offered. A moment afterwards, he was seen to ride furiously down the street. "As great a coward as he is a scoundrel," observed Bob Charlton. "Flora, my girl," added he sadly, "I did hope that your choice would have fallen upon a man." It was resolved that the party should remain at Branxholme for the night. Two or three hours passed away. Charlton was smoking pipe after pipe in gloomy silence. His tobacco seemed to have lost its flavour, as also had the wine which he had ordered, but partaken very slightly of. Frank Farryher was drowning chagrin in a game of billiards, and Tom McDermott was holding forth to McTavish and a select party in the bar. Suddenly a knock came to the door, and a waiter informed Mr. Charlton that a gentleman wished to speak with him. "Show him in," said the squatter. “Who can it be, I wonder?" But upon the gentleman himself entering the apartment, Bob Charlton leaped from his seat with an exclamation of pleasure. "What, Hilbert! my old Trinity chum! what has brought you from Gippsland so suddenly?" "Why, I wished to surprise you, old fellow," replied the other, a stalwart, but jovial-looking man, who had long passed his prime, but bore his years bravely. Hilbert and Charlton had been college friends, and had come to cast their lot in Victoria at about the same time; but their stations were far apart, and it was but seldom that they saw each other. After first greetings had passed, Bob Charlton said, "I feel truly glad that you 've come, Hilbert; for at the present time the advice and assistance of a man like yourself is valuable.". "Why, have you been getting into trouble then? Dropping money, eh?" asked Hilbert. "Nothing of that sort," returned Charlton. moments." "Listen a few But as he spoke the door again opened, and Mr. St. George walked quietly into the apartment. "How dare you, scoundrel, intrude yourself here?" said Charlton.. "Softly, softly, my dear friend," said Hilbert; "this is harsh. language." 66 "Harsh?" cried the other. This young villain here, whom I received upon the station and treated like a son "Wished to treat you as a father-in-law, I believe," interposed Hilbert." But I think there's a mistake here. This is my son." "Your son?" exclaimed the petrified Bob Charlton. "My scapegrace son-Harry St. George Hilbert," replied the other. There was a pause. Bob Charlton stared from one to another with an expression of semi-idiotcy. Suddenly he recovered himself, and shouted, "Flora." 66 'Yes, papa,” said that young lady, gliding into the apartment. "Did you know that this gentleman's name was Hilbert?" "Yes, papa." "The d- -1 you did! And when did you find it out?" "Two days ago, papa." "And why, in the name of all that's wonderful, did n't you tell me?" "I meant to, papa; but you were so cross, and threatened to force me to marry Mr. Farryher, and so, and so—" "And so you concerted with this pretty gentlemen to terrify your old father half out of his senses?" "Yes, papa." "It is, indeed true, Sir," said our hero. "So, Mr. Farryher," added he to that gentleman, who, with Mr. McDermott, had re-appeared upon the scene, "I'm quite prepared to blow out your brains, if you think proper; or to indulge in a second round of hard blows, Mr. McDermott, if you feel inclined." But neither gentleman cared about breaking the peace. An eclaircissement, of course, ensued. Harry, an erratic fellow, had taken the strange whim into his head to visit his father's old friend, whom he had not seen since he was a boy, in a different name, and under an assumed character. This had been easily managed. Harry fell in love with Flora, but resolved only to woo and win her as a penniless adventurer. Ausus et afflictis melius confidere rebus. I have little to add. It was clear enough that Frank Farryher's hopes of a matrimonial alliance with the house of Charlton were destined to be nipped in the bud. But he was too much of a philosopher to break his heart about the matter, and had too much good sense to press claims for the hand of a young lady who had so unmistakeably manifested her preference for another. As for Tom McDermott, we have seen how his love-suit prospered; and, upon Harry's identity being established, he was the first to congratulate Mr. Hilbert, junior, and to swear that he had believed all along that the young fellow had not been the greenhorn he had represented himself to be. Next day there was quite a jovial return journey to Charlton Grange; and, in due time, the wedding was celebrated. There was such a flow of champagne as was quite unprecedented in the district; and strong waters and malt liquors were so abundant in the kitchen that not one of the “hands" was able to turn his hand to anything for the ensuing three days. LITTLE THINGS. T SAMUEL HAWKER BANKS. HE little things which make life fair 'Tis these, we oft so lightly heed, BERTIE AND I. DERWENT M. COLERIDGE. ERTIE and I— All one autumn afternoon Bertie and I— Down by the harbour's side we sat, And we talked and gossiped of this and that, Hand locked in hand, by the harbour's side, And she crooned her story of struggle and strife; A story of love-and a woman's life. We there agreed to be man and wife, I wonder if ever we shall be wed, I only know that to Heaven I'll pray, |