CHAPTER XVII.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 September 1931, Page 5

CHAPTER XVII.

"So," he said softly, "Mr. Stranger, who skulks in the hills, eomes forth from his hiding-place. . . ." Then with suden rage he snarled: "You can go to hell and mind your own damn business, and don't forget I'll get you pretty quick next time I come after you!" "Ah' haven't you come after me to-day?" Gregory inquired elamly. Hart did not immediately answer. He glared malevolently ; then without warning he leapt at the stranger. The other, however, anticipated the move, for he stepped baek and the blow aimed at him fell short. Jess seemed paralysed by the sudden turn of events, for she now crouched against a tree and stared helplessly at the two men who apj peared to be bent on murdering each ! other. When the squatter discovered that his sudden attack had failed, he rushed in and seized the other round the waist. For some time the two men wrestled and fought with great fury, until Gregory succeeded in wriggling elear of the other's grip, then quickly and without pause he jabbed his fist into Hart's inflamed features. The squatter, with a grunt, returned the blow, eausing the stranger to stagger and nearly fall. Eager to follow up his advnatage, Hart rushed in and rained a shower of blows at the other's bowed head. So the fight continued — first one and then the other seemed to secure an advantage. Both | men were evenly matehed, and honours were about equal until the squatter in his excitement tripped over a root and fell heavily. Gregory stepped back gasping, expecting to see the other rise immediately, but Hart lay quite still, and a trickle of blood appeared on the back of his head. "You — you hayen't killed him?" the girl panted. "No," the other gulped. "But I guess he's knocked himself out; he'll come round in a minute or two, so I reckon you'd better get away before he starts to rave again!" But the girl did not move; she started f ascinated at the man who had fought the squatter. "Why don't you go?" the man demanded curiously; "it's safe." "Yes, I know — I'm not worrying about that, I'm just kinda scared that you're hurt. . ." "Me?" The man laughed queerly. "Don't get concerned about me. I don't count anyway, I'm no one!" "You do," Jess persisted. "An' I do worry — you did it for me!" Gregory walked slowly over to the girl, who was still leaning against the tree, but now her eyes were downcast. "Say, Jess! "What?" "You're not really worrying, are you?" "Of course." The man's arms crept about the unresisting form. "Say, it's great to have you worrying over me — I never thought. . . ." "Neither did I, till to-day," she whispered. Gregory stopped and imprinted a kiss on the pale face, and all at once the girl understood the meaning of that which had come to her in the silence of the bush.