The GIRL WHO HELPED NED KELIY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 742, 15 August 1929, Page 5

The GIRL WHO HELPED NED KELIY

/;.!/

CHARLES L. TAYLOR

[ Copyright ]

CHAPTER A'.—Continued. | She knelt beside him and examined ■ ils injured ankle. “You poor boy,” said tenderly. “It must be very painful. I’ll pet you home. You take my horse,'and rn walk.” won't do anything of the sort,” Ba *d* the colour mounting his * neeks. “I’ll be all right after I twt a bit.” She knew he was lying. Well, then, if you can get up behind me, we ll go that way. Do you think | 3rou can manage it?” "It's very good of you. I’ll try.” : ’ |th her help he struggled up, and bounded lightly into the saddle. Steady, there, Kathleen,” she said, patted her horse’s neck. “Watch » te P> old lady. Are you all niat? * ‘‘Quite all right.” She laughed. Just hang on to me if you feel 1 you want to.” . J^ ey r °de in silence for some dis- , Ce ‘ . Ey ery little while she turned ! see how he was faring, and each I ,® ae m et her with a smile. ons are you going to stay at she asked. know - Just as long as he Deeds ms, i suppose.” e needs you very much, but he’s Poor as a hunted dingo.” ah! now but I’ll try not to bo him Ur( c. on kim. I might even help rirvl You didn’t know’ I was r ich, did you?” J??. laughed again—a merry little “N°. I didn’t know that.” oidn’t Ned tell you?” ne paused before replying. v ou o? u meaQ the few notes he gave

SD p p D , ce raore he wondered at the lonely 3 hiU. hiCh news travelled in thoso »k * able to get something for !L 01d couple with that,” he said. Ned gave it to you.” von - oas * liked with. What do I’d better buv for them?” did not reply. Heed**’ * ’° U °£ anything they is Jfe Can of lots of things, but—painful?” It was that shp did not wish to pur“A K® dlßcu -'s>°n. be i ut "Py at times, but it'll soon j.-.f' 1 f'Sht —thanks to you. I’m "ay” * m ,a *ti n S you out of your ' V>ot a bit. I wanted to see Sam.

I can take that letter to Jacobson's for him.” "You’re a wonderful girl!” He noticed the colour rise to her cheeks as she replied. “Many peoplethink different from that.” "Then they don’t know you.’’ They lapsed into silence again, and neither spoke until the smoke from Jackson’s chimney was seen. "We’re nearly there,” said Kate. “You’ll be glad to finish this ride.” “No, sorry.” Jackson saw them as they reached the edge of the clearing, and came running toward them. “Why, Kate, what’s the matter?” he said, in alarm. “This young fellow sprained his ankle, and I was lucky enough to come along and find him.” “But the letter—the letter ” “It’s all right, Mr. Jackson,’’ said Rriant. ‘-‘lt's quite safe, but Jacobson hasn’t got it yet.” The old man’s relief was plainly visible. Between them they helped Briant off the horse, and led him, limping painfully, into the hut. For once Mrs. Jackson's hard, wrinkled face softened, and pity shone in her faded eyes as she helped to make him comfortable on the bags she had spread on the floor in frout of the fireplace. Kate Kelly took off his boots and handed fce letter to Jackson, who almost snatched it from her, and put it iu his pocket. Jack’s foot was badly swollen, but when it was bathed in hot water and bandaged he felt some relief.

From the inner room Jackson produced a bottle of brandy, and the fiery liquid put new life into Briant. Then Kate and the old couple left him. He could hear their voices outside the hut, but was unable to detect what they were saying. Occosionally he heard Ned's name mentioned, and several times his own. When they returned Kate bent oyer him and offered him her hand, which he eagerly seized. “Good-bye and good luck!” “Good-bye, and thank you again. I shan’t forget your kindness.” She flashed a smile at him as she went through the door. CHAPTER VI.—A PLEASANT INTERLUDE. “Did Kate take the letter?” The old man nodded. “Is it safe for her to ride through the bush alone?” Jackson's laugh had a uote of defiance in it. “Safe! Who’s gin’ to interfere with her? She can take care of herself sure enough.” “Supposing the police ” “They wouldn’t dare!” Briant remained In the hut all night. Mrs. Jackson wouldn't hear of

his going to the shed. For hours he thought of the girl who so strangely had confe to his assistance. What a damned topsy-turvy world it was, to be sure! Nature had intended her for something very different from tliis, he was certain. He was certain, too, that Fate had played Ned a scurvy trick when it had sent him to roam the bush a fugitive with a price upon his head. His injury revealed to him a side to Mrs. Jackson’s nature he had hardly expected to find. Cold and relentless she had appeared to him-*-a woman from whom hardship had sapped ail feminine instincts. Instead he found a' kindly old soul to whom nothing seemed a trouble if it could help him to early recovery. “You are very good to me,” he said, giving her withered hand a grateful squeeze. To his surprise she walked away, but he noticed, as she went through the door, she held her apron to her eyes. Jackson, too, hatl been most solicitous as to his comfort, while Spot, the dog. kept him close company all the time, every now and then placing his

paw on liis arm as i£ expressing sympathy and affection. For a whole day he lay there. Jackson appeared only at meal times, and Mrs. Jackson had much to occupy her time, so that he was left pretty well to himself. Kate did not come that day, but the day after when he was sitting on a box by the fire she arrived. "I’m glad to see you so much better," she said, with a pleased smile. “I’ve brought you something I hope you’ll like.” From a basket she carried she produced a jar of what looked like meat, and half a dozen appetising-looking cakes. “When Mrs. Jackson warms up this rabbit I’m sure you’ll like it. We cook it in a different way to most people. “Did you cook it?” he asked. She nodded her head. “Then I’m certain I’ll like it.” Kate laughed merrily. “I’m going to be sure of it. I’m going to stay and watch you eat it.” “Please do.” he begged. Apparently the meal was satisfactory to both of them. Jack swore he had never tasted anything better, and the girl’s -pleasure was expressed in her glowing eyes. “You’re a fine cook,” he said, giving her hand a grateful squeeze. “When do you expect to get about again?” she asked. I “Probably tomorrow —I hope so, at ; any rate.” j “I thought a lot about you last night,” she told him. 1-Ie turned eagerly to her. “What did you think?” “T was wonderiug why you were here—what brought you to the bush. You’re not one of us. I know that.” “One of you—how ” “You belong to a different class.’’ “Oh, nonsense!” “But you do. Fellows like you don’t hump their bluey just for fun. What made you do it?” He smiled a little wanly. “T’m sorry, but that’s something 1 can’t tell you.” “You can’t trust me?” “There are some things that are sacred. I wish I could tell you. but, ! believe me. I can’t.” “I shouldn't have asked you, I know.” “Can’t I help you?” he asked after a pause. “In what way?” “When you go to Ned. I’d like to save you some of those lonely night rides. Do you know, you’re the bravest girl in all the world!” “Brave? Who wouldn’t be to help her own flesh and blood? That’s onlv natural. Oh. I wonder how long it can last? ... I wonder!” A look of despair had crept into her eyes. “I can help.” urged Jack. “Won’t you let. me he’p you—and Ned?” “They wouldn’t let you.” “I think Ned would trust me.” • “I know—t know. but. ” “I’m sorry for you. I’m sorry for all of you. .Still, there might be a way out.” “Oh. if there onlv could be!” she i cried, with i pathetic gesture of utter hopelessness “I wish I could talk to Ned.” he saic! wistfully. She hesitated for a moment. Then she said ip a half whisper, "You might have a chance tonight.” He looked at her in surprise. "Is he coming here?” She nodded her head ! Jack’s heart leapt. He longed for

another meeting with the notorious outlaw. He wanted to know more of the man with whose deeds the whole country rang. “Are you staying till he comes?” ha asked with obvious eagerness. “I’ve stayed too long now. Goodbye!” As she left Briant’s thoughts again flew to the other girl—Ned’s girl, whom he was so anxious to meet. Was she as attractive as Kate, he wondered. CHAPTER VH. A CLOSE CALL Ned Kelly coming tonight! The thought thrilled Briant as much as fii*> presence of the outlaw's sister had pleased him. “What’s the matter with you. boy?” Jackson asked when he came in for his midday meal. “Can't 3 r ou sit still?” Try as be might, Jack could not conceal his excitement. At last he blurted out, “I can’t help it, Mr. Jackson — I’m too excited!” “Ain’t much to get excited about, sittin’ still nursin’ a bad foot, is there?”

i “You know why it is. I know who’s j coming tonight !” > The old man started as though shot. | and Mrs. Jackson dropped a knife on » her plate with a clatter. “Did Kate tell you?” Jackson de- i - manded. “Yes ’* i The grizzled bushman and his wife j . exchanged glances. The announce* I * ment seemed to stagger them. “Oh, don’t look so serious,” Jack pleaded. “You ought to know by this time I’m to be trusted. If I wasn’t surely there wouldn’t be much danger. with this foot of mine. If I were as anxious to capture Ned as you are to save him, I couldn’t do very much * in my condition, could I?” I That seemed to reassure them, and they went on with their meal. Jack ’ noticed, however, that the old man * was quieter and more thoughtful even ’ than usual. Pie noted, too, that the glances which Mrs. Jackson cast at 1 him every now and then seemed to - convey that there was still a doubt in her mind. , The day was interminably long to ; Eriant. whose mind constantly was occupied by thoughts of the antici- - pated visitor Neither Jackson nor his wife ap- 1 peared at all concerned. Evidently Ned was no stranger to that humble ; home. They shared none of the young fellow’is imaginative flights. The pos- I sibilty of a police raid and a fight did not seem to occur to them. If it did j their self-control was magnificent. The hours went slowly by. As day- j light gave place to dusk and dusk *o j darkness. Jack eagerly listened for ! boofbeats. Jackson sat by the fire, j j meditatively, puffing his blackened j clay pipe, and his wife's knitting j

j needles clicked industriously. If ! their expected visitor had been a I farm neighbour instead of the man i for whom the whole Victorian police j force was searching, they could not S have betrayed less emotion. It was I all part of the desperate game which they had learned to play so well. ; A gust of cold night air smote Jack, I and he looked round —to see Ned j Kelly quietly closing the door behind him! So silently had he entered that no one was aware of his presence until he was inside the hut. The old couple greeted him quite casually, and Jackson moved up and made room for him on the stool on which he sat. “It’s a cold night,” remarked the bushranger as he took his seat. Then he turned to Briant. “How’s the ankle?” “Getting on quite all right now, thanks,” Jack replied, still wondering at the means by which even trivial news reached the gang. He noticed that Ned was less sprightly than on the occasion of their first meeting. He appeared to be tired and de pressed. A pot of stew had been simmering j by the fire, and from it Mrs. Jackson | served a huge plateful, which the bushranger ate ravenously. “It’s good to get something hot after days of tinned stuff,” he said, smacking his lips. “They’ve been giving us such a run lately we haven’t been able to do much cooking.” Briant could not help feeling pity i for this fine upstanding young Aus- ; tralian who was playing a losing game ! with Fate, and plaj-iDg it bravely. He I hobbled over to where the outlaw sat. “I wish you'd let, me help you,

l Ned,” he said. “I believe I could. “It wouldn’t be good for you,” Ned i replied iu a tired voice. “They’d i get you in the end, and I wouldn * : like that.” ? “But, I could help you to get out i of the country,” Jack persisted. A spark of hope lighted the bushranger’s face, but it lingered just for j a moment. 1 “That’s the only way out, Ned. You t can't go on like this for ever.” -1 “No, I suppose not,” he said, with a sigh. ; | “You’re tired, Ned —you’d better put j[ up here for the night,” Mrs. Jackson i j suggested. “T„et him have my bunk,” said Jack. “The shed is the only place he could j sleep in,” the old man cut in. \ ! Briant did not appreciate the sigui- " j ficance of that remark, but later on |he understood it. He learned many * things during the next few days—j every one an object lesson in the , sacrifices men and women were prepared to make on behalf of a criminal hiding from justice. “Better have a drop of brandy—you look as how you could do with it,” r Jackson went to the inner room for 3 a bottle and poured out a stiff drink. 5 “Not too much,” Ned said, indicating his limit with his fingers. They sat silently for a while. !t * occurred to Jack that the bushranger * and his friends had much to say, but 1 were doubtful of the wisdom of saying c it before him. So he hobbled to the door. “I'm going over to my bunk for a while. I shan’t be long.” * “Better take this stick and be carel ful of that foot of yours.” the old man said. , CTo be continued daily)