Cirrus@Austlit

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)