Cirrus@Austlit

Ralph Wilton, clerk in a Melborune merchant's house, cashes a cheque for his friend, Rupert Steel, his employer's son - the cheque give to him by an fellow clerk, Tom Meeson. Ralph is accused of forging the cheque after Christmas and resigns his job to prove his innocence - leaving his wife Marie and their son dependent on his return. Unable to find Rupert he decides to seek gold in Port Darwin but is drowned after a shipwreck off the Queensland coast. When Rupert - who has neglected Marie since his return - hears the news he visits Marie and begs her to marry him. She refuses but falls ill after struggling to support herself and the child - and Rupert finds them a house when she leaves hospital ... Meanwhile Ralph is not dead; he makes some money pearling and then heads west to the gold strike in the Kimberleys. He meets Meeson dying there and obtains a written confession, omitting Rupert's part in the forgery and returns home with hold as well. He arrives on week before Marie, who received home of his letters, is to marry Rupert. He claims her back, happiness is restored and Rupert sails for England. Glimpses of the Australian frontier. Interesting comments about women's waiting roles while men act. (PB)