II
He was gone for nearly two weeks before Valerie knew it. She had thought of him a good deal in the wet days following the night on the sand-hills, and supposed he was keeping in out of the unpleasant weather. She had spent her idle moments speculating as to what turn their next meeting would take. Then in a letter from her father she learned that he had lunched with Dane the day he left for Sydney. She was hurt and angry, without reason, as she admitted to herself. He was in no way committed to telling her of his doings. And then she began to wonder if he had run away from her, and why.
But as the days went by she had less and less time to indulge in her own thoughts. She was drawn and willingly enough into the burning issues of that memorable campaign when the old Liberal Party that Dick Seddon led triumphantly into battle and victory for fifteen odd years crumbled before that mysterious force in the world that brings about a change. The little office became a more strenuous place than ever. Two local girls had been added to the typesetting staff. One of the book-keepers from Roger’s store had been transferred to help Valerie for half his time. The jobbing work was mounting up every day. As Bob was away a good deal now with Roger, the running of the office single-handed was a considerable job for Valerie. She now began at eight in the morning, and was often there till ten at night. But she revelled in these swift days, and had many a thrill over obstacles overcome. She was a person who was warmed by many fires and able to make many burn for her. She got increasing pleasure out of the devotion of Jimmy and Miss Hands, and out of the cooperation of Roger’s com-
