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Updated: June 11, 2025
"I will sit here," Ailleen exclaimed, as she sat on the top of the steps leading to the ground from the verandah. "Ay, ay," the other woman said. "He's no sooner here than he's away. Tell me, dearie, all about yourself. Never mind him; maybe he's gone to get some tea or some fruit for you he's an unselfish boy, a good, unselfish boy."
Ailleen had her horse saddled, and was away immediately after the early breakfast, and the schoolmaster, being in the enjoyment of the holidays, watched her as she rode down the road and away into the bush. It was quite possible that Nellie Murray and her brother might be already at the trysting-place, and Ailleen rode at a full canter so as not to waste time on the way.
She turned as she heard the girl's voice calling, and waited where she stood. "Why, where are you going? And alone, too," Ailleen exclaimed, as she came up; "and with only that rag on your head, and the sun scorching. Why " The elder woman turned a pale, careworn face towards her, and held up her hand. "I ought to have told you I forgot but this I always come alone.
"Well, I can work," Ailleen added, as the other paused. "Ay, dearie; but you'd be lonely, and it's bad to be lonely when you're young." "Then I'll come and take care of you," the girl answered, as she laughed lightly. The woman turned her head quickly and held out her hand, as a smile, soft and gentle, rippled over her face, and almost overcame the fixed stare in the sightless eyes.
Later, when rumour had it that the Lady of Barellan had claimed that Tony and not Dickson must be her son, Birralong was prepared to support her, more especially when it was known that Ailleen had never wavered in her allegiance to the champion of the district.
Ailleen had chanced upon it during the first few weeks of her residence at Barellan, and since she had discovered it she had gone there daily for a ride through the quiet, still coolness of the bush. At first it had been an outlet for the grief she felt, and which did not diminish by being kept to herself.
As the four rode off towards Barellan, Ailleen, with more loyalty than her friend gave her credit for, tried to keep behind with Bobby; but Dickson was in no way anxious to fall in with the arrangement, and instead of following Nellie as she cantered ahead, hung back till the others caught him up. "Go on with Nellie; what are you dawdling for?" Ailleen called out as they came up.
In the confusion of recovering the startled grey neither of the three observed how Mrs. Dickson had walked to where the rail was broken, and stood just beyond it, feeling from side to side, unable to realize where it had gone. Ailleen noticed her, and ran to her assistance. "Tony, look!" she exclaimed; and he, seeing what was the matter, also hastened to her side.
"There is some one coming," she said. "He seems to be riding to the back of the house. I'll go round and see who he is." "Why, of course it's Willy," Mrs. Dickson answered. "Who else could it be?" Ailleen walked round the verandah to the other side, and as the man approached, she was surprised to recognize Slaughter. "Miss," he exclaimed, as he rode up, "the bush is afire all round.
"How do you do, Nellie?" she said simply, as she held out her hand. "And this is the other Ailleen," he added, before Nellie could answer. Ailleen, looking into the clear, open eyes which looked so steadily into hers, and were so different from what she had pictured to herself, took the extended hand. "I am so glad to be able to see you. Oh, I forgot I'm so sorry," she added quickly.
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