This Man's Wife Part 99

"Yes, mother, dear mother," sobbed Julia, with a pa.s.sionate cry that she could not withhold, and she buried her face in the sick woman's breast.

The sun sank lower, and Julia's low sobs grew more rare, but she did not rise from her knees--she did not lift her tear-stained face, while clasped about her neck, and her fingers joined above the glossy head, as if in prayer, Mrs Hallam's hands, thin and transparent from her illness, seemed bathed in the orange glow of the sweet, calm eve.

All was still and restful on the hill-slope above the beautiful Paramatta River, and from the window there was a scene of peace that seemed to hinder the possibility of trouble existing on this earth.

"Julia," said Mrs Hallam at length; "have you thought of all this-- since--since I have been lying here?"

"Yes, dear, till I could think no more."

"It has come at last," said Mrs Hallam, as she lay with closed eyes.

"It has come, dear?" said Julia, starting up, and gazing at her mother with dilating eyes.

"Yes, my child, our path. I could not see it before in the wild confusion of my thoughts, but I know our duty now. You will help me, dear?"

"Help you, mother? Oh, yes. What shall I do?"

Mrs Hallam did not answer for a few minutes, and then said softly:

"You know all, you say. It has come to you with as great a shock as to me; but I can see our duty now. Julia, he must love us dearly; we are his wife and child, and we must lead him back to the better way."

VOLUME FOUR, CHAPTER EIGHT.

A CONVICT RISING.

"Ah, Mr O'Hara," said Bayle, holding out his hand, "I have not seen you for months. Why do you not give me a call?"

"Because I am a convict, sir," said the young Irishman, paying no heed to the extended hand.

"Oh, yes; but that is past now," said Bayle. "One doesn't look upon you as one would upon a thief or a swindler, and even if you had been both these worthies, a man of my cloth comes to preach forgiveness, and is ready to hold out the right hand to every man who is sorry for the past."

"But I am not sorry for the past, sir," said O'Hara firmly.

"I've studied it all," said Bayle quietly, "and the rising was a mistake."

"Don't talk about it, please, sir," said O'Hara hotly. "You are an Englishman. You could not gaze upon that trouble, for which I was transported, from an Irishman's point of view."

"Then we will not talk about it," said Bayle; "but come, I am no enemy of your country."

"I should say, sir, that you were never any man's enemy but your own,"

said O'Hara dryly.

Bayle smiled.

"There, shake hands," he said. "How has the world been using you?"

"Better lately, sir. I am comfortable enough in the Government office, and now I am helping the commission that is investigating the prison affairs. And you, sir?"

"Oh, I am busy enough, and happy enough. Then it was you I caught sight of in the prison yard a month ago? I thought it was; but it gave me such a chill that I would not look."

"Why, sir?"

"I was afraid that you had gone backwards, and were there again."

O'Hara's hard, care-lined face relaxed, and there was a pleasant smile on his countenance when he spoke again. "I heard about you, sir, in the lines."

"Indeed!"

"The men talked a good deal about you."

"Yes?" said Bayle good-humouredly. "I'm afraid they laugh at me and my notions."

"They do," said O'Hara thoughtfully. "Poor wretches! But you have made more impression and gained more influence, sir, than you think."

"I wish I could feel so," said Bayle with a sigh.

"If you will take my opinion, sir, you will feel so," said O'Hara. "I'm glad I met you, sir, for I have been a great deal in the prison lately, and I can't help thinking there is something wrong."

"Something wrong?"

"Yes, sir. I believe the men are meditating a rising."

"A rising? In Heaven's name, what do they expect to do?"

"Obtain the mastery, sir, or seize upon a vessel or two, and escape to some other land."

"But have you good reason for suspecting this?"

"No other reason than suspicion--the suspicion that comes from knowing their ways and habits. Such a rising took place when I was there years ago."

"Well?"

"It was suppressed, and the poor wretches who were in it made their case worse, as they would now."

"But the authorities must be warned."

"They have been warned," said O'Hara quietly. "I am not one of them now, and knowing what I do of the musket and bayonet and the lash, I lost no time in laying my suspicions before my superiors. Yes," he said, "I was right, was I not?"

"Right? Unquestionably. Such men, until they have been proved, have no right to be free. Then that is the meaning of the extra sentries I have seen."

"That is it, sir; but if the sentries were doubled again, I'm afraid the mistaken men would carry out their notions, unless some strong influence were brought to bear. Why don't you try to get hold of the ringleaders, sir, and show them the madness of the attempt?"

"I will," said Bayle quickly, and they parted; but they were not separated a hundred yards before there was a shout, and Bayle turned to see O'Hara running after him swiftly.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I'm afraid I have spoken too late, sir. I heard a shot out yonder, beyond that house where the new road is being made. A strong gang has been at work there for a fortnight past. Do you hear that?"

Two distant shots in quick succession were heard, and Christie Bayle turned pale, for the sounds came from beyond the house pointed out, and that house was Hallam's.