Page:Hornung - Irralies Bushranger.djvu/109

 greatest responsibility that has ever come his way."

"That may be so," began Irralie, as if she were about to say a good deal more. But she thought of the night before, and of her great mistake; and she held her peace.

"Aren't you going to supper at all?" asked Young, suddenly.

"No. I couldn't! I've been too much mixed up in this, and I came out for a little air instead. I think I must just put my nose inside the pines."

"Don't go far, Irralie!" "Very well, George. So long!"

She left him, passing through the narrow cut between the forge and the iron-store: partly because that was her bee-line for the beloved pines, and partly she knew not why. There was a small window high up at the back of the store. A human head would hardly have passed through; but when Irralie glanced up at the aperture her heart leapt to her throat. A white shirt-sleeve hung out in the moonlight, and a hand was