The Huttig news., 1909-03-27
By cuRRAN RICHARD oREENIEY
Copyright, by Daiiv story rup. eo.
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t0opyflght, Dy Daitv story fup. toD
 "A great lord of the court. and he s coming to woo little me. so sayeth my lady mother. What think you of my fortune, Sir Henry Bellairs?"
 Mistress Lilias Halliday swept her silken skirts in moeking courtesy, her eyes aslant under demure lashes at the tall youth who stood just within the great door of HeathlanGs, and who, for all his six feet of comeliness, well set out from the crown of Saxon fairness to the russet boots of his hunting gafb, writhed helplessly under her badinage. his tongue refusing he light answer that alone could save him. It booted him little that he had the squire's consent to WOO Lilias. That had been his since the Witch of Heathlands" was a slim lass of 12 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 a thunderbolt out of the blue of this lovers sky. in the guise of Dame Margarets 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 horelessly in the scale; for since the dame had set her heart upon 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 nausht of the web that his women were weaving He held the day not far distant. when Heatherlands 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 seant grace for my Lord Wycher- ly, limiting darkly to Bellairs of cer- tain stories that had leaked down from London though to Dame Mar. gaYet he said never word.
 Lilias preened herself before the I long mirror, nodding the dainty head over the rim of her fan, pouting the red lips in saucy speeches.; then crit ] ieally examining each small finger. as she swept her lowered gown across the polished fcor of the dark old hall tborou1blxr ooncoiouc of +lo Iovo 1 born giant in the doorway-"D Dost l think he will deem me a mere milk maid--he who is in daily converse with 1 the duchess and the ladies of her train? These cheeks of mine, They 1 will run red. when l would have them 1 delieately fair; and-that frecklei It is on my nose, just herei You have marked it. Harry. and you are no court gallant. Wyeherlyi My lady of 1 Wycherly, 'Tis a sweet name Me thinks a title would we'll become mel What think you of this courtesy? I've practiced me. night and day, and
 "Lilias!' Rellairs sprang toward her, but with little laugh she was gone, pesring at him from over the baluster.
 Stay where you are, Sir Goliath of Gath, La What a twitter you have put me in." and she made as if to hide her face, but the look within his eyes sobered the mischief in hers.
 "Liliasi' Bellairs came a little closer. She had never heard that tone from her old playmate-"It is useless for you 10 play at the game with me. l am but plain man, knowing not court ways. If the mere name of this lordling has set you off to fout me: if you care not how deep you trail my heart in the dust on the mere word of his coming; l 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 I tanned for you, by the lad that brought it. Lilias. I know not woman ways my mother died too soon. but I 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 cane a step nearer, and this time she did not shrink from him, only hung her head You are free to wed my lord of Wyeherly!"
 "Quarreing again? You saucy bag gage, Pray Harry will show the selfsame patience when you keep the hearth of Belairs hall; else therell be such tanning of my pretty shrew, passing Will Shakespeare's limning, I'll
 Something in the two faces brought the squire to 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. it seems. but that Lilias is minded to have none of me; therefore I have given her back her troth rather than be fiouted be fore this gamester of St. James. Your hand, squirel 'Tis time Belairs said farewell to Heathlands!"
 You young jaekanapes, Tll--" the