Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-12-20

ton. otherwise she might have sat by
the fire and Joined in the conversation.
The bowling club members had held
their usual weekly meeting, and,
seeming the first frost of the season,
had made it an excuse for mulled ale
and egg sherry: so that Mary was
busy with the flush of her various re-
sponsibilities on her bright CHEEKY
face. She looked in Dicks eyes more
lovely than he had even at first
thought her. He could not keep his
eyes away from her. and he thought,
being accustomed TO conQuests among
women. that she was not displeased
with his undisguised admiration.
Your daughter" he said. Morley
having spoken to Mary about the
wine
My niece" said Morley and the
best and bravest girl in Yorkshire"
Or in any other shire | am sure,
added Parker.
And you may say that, | believe"
said the landlord.
You will excuse the admiration OF
travellers who have seen none but for
eign wenches for five years" said
Dick: lit does ones heart good to see
such a picture of health and beauty as
your niece What did you call herr
Mary" said Morley. Mary Lock
wood is her right name. She was my
sisters child. God rest her. who lies
with her good man in the Kirkstall
churchyard this ten years
And so you took charge of her and
became a second father to herr"
That is the truth. whoever may
have made il known 70 YOU" said Nor,
ley.
Many guests in the house," asked
Foster looking in an opposite direc-
ton from the person addressed. as
was his wont.
No; York coach went through with
full complement of passengers. but
none got down. and she don't change
horses till she gets to Harrogate. Be-
yond yourselves and Squire Belling
ham. married couple from Derby,
and Harry Dunstan. who fishes the
Aire every autumn, we have nobody
in the house not as we have accom-
mediation for many more, not laying
ourselves out for much custom in that
way"
Squire Bellingham." said Foster
touching Dick with his boot
We'll. we call him Squire. cause
his father before him was Squire in
these parts and farmed most of the
land; but his sOn-well. he's more of
q merchant than a squire. for that
matter He does business in wool and
is bit of broker in a way. and a
rare good gentleman. and strong He
once had quot match with my Mary
forget how many yards. thinking to
get the betetr of her by distance and
weight but | won my bet-I tell you
won it. and he give lass a new gown
into the bargain
Old Morley chuckled at the remem-
brance of Bellingham's discontinue.
adding: But he bore no malice. not
he; he is gentleman, Squire Belling-
ham"
Does he live hereabouts. Squire
Bellingham?' asked Foster
HE do. and he don't" said Morley.
do, and he don't" repeated Foster
in his morose, grumpy fashion.
"A traveller may be said to live in
good many places. | reckon said
Morley, evidently thinking be had
said something clever
THAT is true" said Foster.
For instance. take Yourself"
Il live in London" said Foster
OF course YOU do. except and per-
adventure when you live in some good
old hostelry on the road-such for in
stance. not at the same time desiring
to be arrogant. as the saying is; such
for instance, and peradventure, as the
Star and Garter"
You say true" answered Foster
stolidly. 81 make no doubt the squire
is we'll content with the Star and
Carter
"The Squire is not well content
with anything" Morley replied. 1.-The
Squire is as warm as warm can be.
and yet he will go on laying I'D
riches; the Squire is continually on
the road; he buys in this market. he
sells In the other; he is partner i'm the
bank at Leeds; he buys cattle; he sells
wool; and he has one of the finest
houses hereabOuts; and best servants.
a groom as can have no equal: but be-
ing a bachelor. he is restless like: and
must have occupation, as he SAYS:
though. mind YOU he don't care for no
occupation in which there hain't good
sale and barter. and the like; though
there is no more charitable Squire in
all Yorkshire"
And brave man to boot. hear
say"
III you mean brave In the sense
that he neither fears heaven nor hell
because he is good man, and has no
reason to; If you mean that he makes
no account of highwaymen and the
like. II you mean that he is ready to
back his opinion with his money on
any question-why Squire Belling.
ham is brave man; but IL you agree
with me in thinking that to be prop
erly brave you should also be eau
tious. then l think we shall come to
the conclusion that the Squire is not
brave in the right way, but rash
rash, sir, reckless. decidedly reck-
less"
In what way is he reckless?"
I'm riding alone and sometimes at
nightfall with large sums of money
in his possession, with gold and notes