Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-07-28
THE BLOOD
OF AN
ENGLISHMAN
By LEONA ANSTNE SUFFER-

0ouC6to OlIhCtOTlobs uhu inc CneTuD
Mother" he said. shining again.
your lilacs are stale. detect the odor
OF stale lilacs."
The Cherub's mother was curled up
In a big leather chair and looked al.
most as young and tiny as the Cherub
himself. The Cherub had been think
Ing that she looked very pretty in the
pink dress that was just the color OF
her cheeks. She had been dreaming,
and the Cherub was almost afraid to
interrupt. Perhaps shs was thinking
up a story.
When he spoke about the lilacs she
put out pretty white hand and made
a gesture for him to come to her He
was at her side with a bound and her
arm closed about him. She had a
way, perilous to his dignity. Of hug
ging him at all kinds of unexpected
times.
Your mother will ring for James
and have the vases emptied," she said
with humorous Difference, ringing a
bell near her hand.
THE lilacs are no longer fresh. You
may take them out James," she said
when the servant appeared. He moved
about in silent acquiescence doing her
bidding. The Cherub wriggled from
her lap.
why do you love lilacs so, moth
err" he asked softly, lingering her
dress. The Cherub was old for his
years. Few things escaped him. The
dream came into his mothers eyes
again and he could see that her
thoughts were far away. With child
fish intuition he did not interrupt but
waited silently her answer to his qses-
ton. 1t came at last.
Mother was very happy once
among the lilacs!" she answered, her
mind sweet with memory.
rs 1t a story, mother?" he asked
breathlessly.
YES" she whispered. YES" and he
waited for her to begin. but she was
silent
do you know story that you will
not tell me?" he asked reproachfully
She caught him to her again with a
little cry.
Some day will tell you. but not
now" she said. Il am wee little bit
tired tonight and telling this story
would not help It,"
"Is 1t sad story?" he asked.
NO" she said; ut is a happy
story"
Then how can II make you say?" he
wondered aloud and she answered
enigmatically: Because 1t Is sc
happy"
While he was busy with this puz
Gle the servant entered with letter
His mother stretched out her hand fol
II eagerly but became very white
when she saw the postmark. The
Cherub saw that her fingers trembled
us II another letter from the same
person." he said observingly. 81
should think you would get tired Of
them" But she did not hear. She
was reading the closely written lines
in the bold hand with hungry eyes.
This was the letter.
Ny Dear Little One: am boyishly hap.
by In anticipation OF your surprise wher
you receive this and learn that am II
America. I did not tell you that ! wal
coming because II IL such a long journey
and 1 did not wish 10 give you too Ions
TO think about my coming for fear yot
would conjure up some reason why yot
should send me away as you did once be
fore.
or course you know why I came.
came to America for you. and I will mo-
leave America without you. That summer
you were Ill in England you had so man,
, scruples. Do you remember that you sale
that you felt that you must wait until the
Cherub was old enough to consent to an
other father7 How is the dear little fel
, | low7 II almost seems TO me / know
him. you have visualized him and char
acterized him so well In your dear letters
know him so well that am not afrait
TO take my chances with him. I wor
, you that summer among the lilacs. an
in America now to win the Cherub ant
to take you both back with me-
Tomorrow i shall run down from New
York and be with you after dinner. Un
Ill then, dear one, with love that has beer
gathering force all these years,
ROBERT.
The letter fell from her hands int
her lap and the Cherub saw that he
eyes were shining. He had only
glimpse of her eyes, however. befor,
she caught him and crumpled hin
hBdluSL utI. ne COulu scarcely Dreatnt
and his hair fell down in his eyes.
You always act SO crazy when 70,
get those letters" he said resentfully
brushing his curls from his eyes. Sh,
/, gave little laugh.
II will~tell you that story now" sh,
proposed conciliatingly. The happ,
one" She knew by his shout tina
} she was forgiven for her outrage O
the slumbering man In him. He mes
tied against her knee.
do you remember the summer moth
er left you with grandmother and wen
to England to see II she could ge
strong and well? 1t was that summe
that mother spent the happy hour
among the lilacs. But she met a maj
there who was a personal friend O
the king, the sort of man she woul
like you to be when you grow up. tai
and broad shouldered and splendid an
brave and good"
THE man who writes you the le,
ters that have the lion and shield Of