Page:Hornung - Irralies Bushranger.djvu/139

 "I did," said the girl, honestly; "and I do sympathize with him in a way. Ah, you have been brought up in England; you can't understand. A bush girl might be sorry for a bushranger, but it would pass your comprehension altogether. It is only natural that it should."

"I am not so sure about that!"

The girl had spoken earnestly. It was good merely to find herself saying something that she really felt. But at his tone she threw reserve to the winds, and caught him by the sleeve on the very threshold of the empty stable. If she could prevail upon him not to enter it at all!

"Spare him!" she cried to that end. "Oh, Mr. Fullarton, obey your better judgment and don't go for the police at all. Think what will happen. They may hang him—and he a young man—as young as yourself! Give him a chance to escape; spare him, as you hope to be spared!"

The other, however, only laughed, and entering the stable struck a match. But