Chrome Chrome i(A75739 works by)
Gender: Unknown
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1 Out of the Jaws of Death Chrome , 1895 single work short story romance Eileen Varcoe leaves Kent for Australia to carry out her father's dying request - that she restore an inheritance to his cousin Richard Charteris which he had stolen in youth. Jealous of his cousin's fiancee and vengeful for the accident which crippled him and lost his aunt's inheritance, Eileen's father had framed Charteris with a forged cheque, and hidden a will leaving all to Charteris. The latter had migrated to Australia with his faithful betrothed after being acquitted of his aunt's murder. In Australia Eileen meets Dick Brand, station owner, who falls in love with her. Shortly after marrying him Eileen discovers he is the son of Charteris and she runs away fearing she will be rejected. Dick searches for her and fever strikes him down in Melbourne on Cup Day and she nurses him in disguise but leaves before he recovers and two years later he rescues her from drowning when their ships collide in a fog outside Melbourne. All is forgivenand reconciled. Includes strong family sub-plot with Dick's mischievous younger brother Jack and Sister, and later Dick and Eileen's infant son. Closes with narrative of Jack's birthday celebrations - fireworks, plank-walking, dressing up as Aborigines etc. (PB)
1 Tabby Chrome , 1894 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , May vol. 29 no. 348 1894; (p. 493-494) Tragic social allegory of an innocent tabby cat adopted by a refined lady who offers to teach her manners but only succeeds in laying the blame for her misdeeds on the younger cat. Beaten by the cook and cut by glass she is eventually drowned in a tank for catching a canary. Touching; strong class ironies. (PB)
1 The Pedlar's Pack Chrome , 1892 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , March vol. 27 no. 322 1892; (p. 357-360) Australian coastal ghost tale. A traveller on a stormy night glimpses a father and daughter playing music together and on enquiry hears their sad tale. Settling in Australia after the death of his wife and collapse of his fortune, the former English squire and his daughter find happiness for some years. On reaching womanhood the girl falls in love with a worthy neighbour and all goes well until her father discovers he is the son of a convict. He forbids their meeting and one stormy night at a secret rendezvous the young man is killed by a falling rock and the incoming tide. Music is for a time the only solace for the girl, half-crazed by her loss ... Many Australian features in this tale, e.g: Swagman who returns ill news when denied money, love of riding etc; combined with British values, such as music, culture, status distinctions (Questioned a little but 'gentlemanly' code still paramount.) (PB)
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