Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-03-18
By CuRRAS RICHARD oREENLEY
Copyright, by Dailv story quo. Coz

lady mother. What think you of my
fortune, Sir Henry Bellairs?"
Mistress Lilias Halliday swept her
silken skirts in a hooking courtesy,
her eyes aslant under demure lashes
al the tall youth who stood just within
the great door of Heathlands, and who,
or all his six feet of comeliness well
set ont from the crown of Saxon
fairness TO the russell boots of his
hunting garb. writhed helplessly under
her badinage. his tongue refusing the
light answer that alone could save him.
1t booted him little that he had
the squire's consent TO WOO Lilias
That had been his since the Witch of
lIeathlands" was a slim lass of II
years, and the two fathers, over their
wine, solemnly contracted the boy
and girl. And he had wooed, but the
winning was another matter. Now,
came thunderbolt out of the blue
OF this lovers sky, in the guise of
Dame Margaret's kinsman, the Lon
don gallant, already upon his way.
posting down from London to visit his
aunt, Dame Margaret Halliday
Harry Bellairs had small room to
doubt the fact that his stock had
gone down hopelessly in the scale; for
this marriage that would bring to
Lilias the delights of the court, the
triumphs, that had filled her own
dreams as a maid she was scarce civil
TO him; and Lilias-the girl, too, drank
in the magic of court scenes in long
draughts from the fountain of her
mothers gossip, and she, too, turned
with the wind, and would have none of
him.
The squire knew naught of the web
that his women were weaving. He
held the day not far distant, when
Netherlands and Bellairs hall should
be joined in one fair property to
stretch from hill and rolling down to
seaward for broad English miles. He
had scant grace for my Lord Wycher-
ly, limiting darkly to Bellairs of GER
tain stories that had leaked down
from London; though to Dame Mar
garet he said never a word.
Lilias preened herself before the
long mirror, nodding the dainty head
over the rim of her fan. pouting the
red lips in saucy speeches.; then crit
ically examining each small finger, as
she swept her lowered gown across
the polished floor of the dark old
hall, thoroughly conscious of the love-
lorn giant in the doorway-"Dost
think he will deem me mere milk
maid-he who is in daily converse with
train? These cheeks of mine! They
will run red, when / would have them
delicately fair; and-that freckle! 1t
is on my nose, just here! You have
marked it. Harry, and you are no court
gallant Wycherly! My lady of
Wycherly! 'Tis a sweet name. Me-
thinks a title would well become me!
What think you of this courtesy? I've
practiced me, night and day, and"
'Lilias!" Bellairs sprang toward her,
but with little laugh she was gone,
peering at him from over the baluster.
Stay where you are, Sir Goliath of
Gath! La! What twitter you have
put me in" and she made as IL to
hide her face. but the look within his
eyes sobered the mischief in hers.
'Lilias!" Bellairs came a little
closer. She had never heard that tone
from her old playmate-'It is useless
for you to play at the game with me-
] am but a plain man, knowing not
court ways. If the mere name of this
of to mo /.
IL you care not how deep you trail
my heart in the dust on the mere
word of his coming; | can scarce hope
for grace in his presence. Dame Mar
garet has set her face against all that
comes from Bellairs hall; even to The
sending back of the falcon that
tanned for you, by the lad that brought
my mother died too soon; but | know
that when the east wind blows upon
the heath, it is death to all things
warm and lovely. Take back the
troth you have already broken in
spirit" he came a step nearer, and
this time she did not shrink from him
only hung her head. You are free to
wed my lord OF Wycherly!"
"Quarreling again? You saucy bag
gage Pray Harry will show the
selfsame patience when you keep the
hearth of Bellairs hall; else there1
be such a tanning of my pretty shrew
passing Will Shakespeare's Inning
III"
Something in the two faces brought
the squire to a sudden pause. Whats
this? Speak out, boy! This be some
petticoat politics beyond the fathom
ing of honest men, such as we be
but"
Bellairs stepped before Lilias
There is little to say, 1t seems, but
that Lilias is minded to have none oil
me; therefore | have given her back
. her troth, rather than be fouted be
fore this gamester of st. James. You
hand. squirrel IT'S time Bellairs said
farewell to Heathlands!"
You young jackanapes, III" the
squire sputtered and choked. Before
speech came. Bellairs was gone, anC
Iilias crouched, torlorn heap of gay