The Huttig news., 1909-03-27

l fuplly iClt tHeH. FE0 nOW--SHe udu lriven him away ano' She did nst want to think Below, the jeweled courier awaited her, and a sudden truth came like blow, sending the hot blood leaping along its ways; he, too, would claim her lips. With low cry she sank to her knees, hiding her shamed face from the girl in the mirror, covering those wanton lips with a low moan of pain.
 "Lilias!" Her mothers voice held note that she dared not disobey, and with little sebbing underbreath, halfuttered prayer for miracle to happen, the saucy witch of Hes;slands no longer, but timid frightene.r girl, vent slowly down the stair, trailing the white robes step by step, and wish ing that taose same steps would take her down, down, and out of sight she came.
 My Lord of Wycherly noted the It, tie shudder that went through the girl as she yielded her hand to his-and laid it to future accounting His eyes gloated over the whiteness of throat and shoulders as he bent above her. Lilias followed her mothers retreating form. with agony in the glance It had come, and no miracle was at hand.
 Madam Margaret has told me that l may hope he was beginning, when the rattle of hoofbeats up the avenue sent the red blood rushing to her fin ger-tips. There was a faint murmur of voices, and Lilias drew away hur- riedly as the squire, followed by Bel lairs, paused in the doorway. Margaret" roared the squire, with never word to my lord What mean you, dame, to leave the lass alone? Iris time l camel. And he strode to the girls side and drew her head against his shoulder.
 Dame Margarets eyes went from Belairs in the doorway to the squire, holding Lilias away from Wychery. A fleeing instant of eye to eye; them You mistake l left her not alone, but with her betrothed husband. Lord Wycherly has honored our child with his proposals and I-'
 Blood of Mary, madam, And you have dared to set my word at naught, Harry. The squire, speeches., pur- pie with wrath. pointed to Wyeherly. Bellairs cleared the space at bound, slashing his glove across the smiling face that blenched never so little And you carry sword, Sir Cory don?" To which Bellairs replied When and where you will, so 1t be soon. Dame Margarets kinsman, will act for you, l doubt not
 "Hushl" Dame Margarets slow glance went from one to another, and the quiet scorn of it ahashed them. What tavern brawl have you brought to our midst Harry Bellairs?''
 The danes tone was warranted to daunt the bravest, but the squire's fighting blood was up.
 "Silenee,' he thundered Woman, an you will have it. then hear it. Ton pothouse gallant that comes a pran- eing here to perjure honest men thinks not enough of the lass he fain would WOO. but he must bring his Lon don drab a trailing at heel This night We found her, Harry and I. down at the inn, clamoring for this great lord Moreover, tis wife she claims to be. no thanks to him. who hired his hounds to strangle her when he had done with her. Tis a rare tale, if 1t be truei"
 "A lie, most damned lie," Reused at last from his pose. Wycherly made one step toward Dame Margaret, but | the sound of struggle in the hall ar l roc cd inn, .foi, is,d and the woman, breaking from the hold of the servants. flung herself at the dame's feet, holding up her strip of parchment.
 Dame Margaret shrank back from the heap of rags and tatters With an effort she took the parchment and there was silence between them as she read it through. while the woman, crouching, moved not or spoke
 My Lord of Wycherly, it were best to remove your lady from this house. whose roof you have betrayed"
 Wycherly started. the mark of the blow lost in the deeper red of his dark | face. as that cold voice scared it's meaning barring all doubt She had read and judged. With a derisive laugh he stirred the crouching figure with his boot. Arise. my Lady of Wycherly Since you have travelled l far. and are somewhat stained there by, and the hour grows late, it were we'll to seek the inn" The squire stood aside with averted face as the two passed out.
 Lilias heard her fathers heavy tread die away beside Dame Margaret's l lighter footsteps. She was left with Bellairs What would she see in his eyes? Everything was against her. Nothing could make it right, nothing; and yet, she had not intended 1t. If only one little moment could have been hers in which to utter her de testation of Wycherly She raised her head. Slowly. slowly her eyes sought his. He was very near to her. She could hear the quick come and go of his breathing, and still he made no 1 sign, uttered no word.
 The curved mouth grew piteous as