Hardy had permitted
him to use.
Then he leaped into his saddle and galloped off, waving his hand,
as he crossed the river, to the group which were still standing in
the veranda watching him.
For a few days after this Maud was unusually quiet and subdued, but
her natural spirits speedily recovered themselves, and she was soon
as lively and gay as ever.
About a fortnight after the departure of Mr. Cooper an event took
place which for awhile threatened to upset all the plans which they
had formed for the future.
One or other of the girls were in the habit of frequently going
over to stay for a day or two with Mrs. Mercer.
One evening Hubert rode over with Ethel, and Mrs. Mercer persuaded
the latter to stay for the night; Hubert declining to do so, as he
had arranged with Charley to go over early to Canterbury to assist
at the branding of the cattle at that station.
In the morning they had taken their coffee, and were preparing for
a start, when, just as they were mounting their horses, one of the
men drew their attention to a man running at full speed toward the
house from the direction of Mr. Mercer's.
"What can be the matter?" Charley said. "What a strange thing that
a messenger should come over on foot instead of on horseback!"
"Let's ride and meet him, Charley," Hubert said; and putting spurs
to their horses, they galloped toward the approaching figure.
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