An Outback Marriage, page 179 by Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson
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power--of putting the solicitor in the box to explain how this document came into its present state. Let Mr. Blake go into the box."
But while the little Judge was delivering his well-rounded sentences, Blake had slipped out of Court and made off to his lodgings. He had failed in everything. He might perhaps keep out of gaol; but the blow to his reputation was fatal. He had played for a big stake and lost, and he saw before him only drudgery and lifelong shame.
He had reached his lodgings, half-turned at the door, and saw behind him the Court tipstaff, who had been sent after him.
"The Judge wants you back at the Court, Mr. Blake," said the tipstaff.
"All right. Wait till I run up to my room for some papers. I'll be down in a minute," and he ran upstairs.
The tipstaff waited cheerfully enough, until he heard the crack of a revolver-shot echo through the passages of the big boarding-house. Then he rushed upstairs--to find that Gavan Blake had gone before another Court than the one that was waiting for him so anxiously.
CHAPTER XXIX.
RACES AND A WIN.
After the great case was over life at Kuryong went on its old round. Mary Grant, now undisputed owner, took up the reins of government, and Hugh was kept there always on one pretext or another.
Considine and his wife stayed a while in the district before starting for England, and were on the best of terms with the folk at the homestead, Peggy's daring attempt to seize the estate having been forgiven for her husband's sake.
Mary seemed to take a delicious pleasure in making Hugh come to her for orders and consultations. She signed without question anything that Charlie put before her, but Hugh was constantly called in to explain all sorts of things. The position was difficult in the extreme, although Peggy tried to give Hugh good advice.
"Sure, the girl's fond of you, Mr. Hugh!" she said, "Why don't you ask her to marry you