An Outback Marriage - Page 33/145

"I'll borry them two old draught horses from Martin Donohoe, and

they'll haul it out. Bedad, some o' that luggage 'll be washed down

to the Murrumbidgee before night; but the most of it is strapped

on. Push along, Mr. Gordon, and tell Martin I'm coming."

With some reluctance Blake got into the waggonette; before long

they were at Donohoe's Hotel, and Mary Grant was soon rigged out

in an outfit from Mrs. Donohoe's best clothes--a pale-green linsey

bodice and purple skirt--everything, including Mrs. Donohoe's

boots, being about four sizes too big. But she looked by no means

an unattractive little figure, with her brown eyes and healthy

colour showing above the shapeless garments.

She came into the little sitting-room laughing at the figure she

cut, sat down, and drank scalding tea, and ate Mrs. Donohoe's cakes,

while talking with Father Kelly and Blake over the great adventure.

When she was ready to start she got into the waggonette alongside

Hugh, and waved good-bye to the priest and Blake and Mrs. Donohoe,

as though they were old friends. She had had her first touch of

colonial experience.