Tales from Many Sources

leaves of the holly-trees with abundance of scarlet berries. Here and there a little robin-redbreast hopped to and fro, chief

ses restlessly moved in their stalls, and the h

found in order in her father's home. Mistress Mary took much interest in it herself, and jo

Lady of Belton; above all, her wedding-gown of dove-coloured and silver brocade, all trim

for they were his first gift, and destined, he said, fo

ought her a new gift. Once it was a pretty li

ed this on her hand. "A brave stone rich in colour,

Johnstone's many fine horses one to be trained for his bride's special use. She was a bold fearless rider, looking beautiful on horseback, and she had scorned

ed. Mr. Ives laughingly included Mary Jones in the little party,

e at him from behind her fan, and the parson thou

ay-one day in which the cup of joy seems full to the brim; it is not generally a day of

ched themselves with a slight nervous movement. All through the day he paid her a courtship so tender, so deferential, so loving, it might have been a votary addre

to offer to his bride. Then he suddenly drew her aside, and while Mr. Ives and Mary Jones strolled onwards to

t," he said. "You must travel far, and

eded an experienced eye fully to appreciate the strength and symmetry of its prop

id. "I recognised at once the brown mare and the two chestnuts,

red thoughtfully. "I owe him my life

"Is not that the name of Wil

thought myself that my Seagull was

not his equal in the wi

still keep up your interest in that poor sinner Wild Jac

grant) our last interview," she answered with

highway, but in the king's name who is over the seas; he never injured woman or shot an unnecessary shot-keep your sympathy with Jack. And now," he said, throwing back his head with an odd look of defiance

said Betty. "Alas! th

nce been prisoner, has often baffled his swiftest pursuers. Nex

rose to Be

e escape to France,"

id John somewhat gloomily. "But men who have lived a

ds upon whether he is utterly fri

friendless," he answered

ise, that some day you will tell me all the past history of your life, and also, ab

g the door of Seagull's home, an

g about my treasure in there, dear Bet, I beg of

p at him somew

ifling reason," he

er faded fr

summoned them-the evening was clo

de, Mary on a pilli

them to come in, and they entered once more the large dr

ged with stiff propriety, needing the trifling signs of a

dows, and pointed out to her the beauties of the fair English landscape, and there unseen he held her hand in both h

," said John Johnstone. "See how pale is this butter, how thi

Johnstone's bay mare with them; he

away, he lingered on and on, and it grew quite dark, and the

o'clock-Mr. Johnstone must go. Mr. Ives sat quiet in his deep cha

door, sweet Bet," s

er fur cloak, threw it round her, and followed him out to th

, left them when he had given th

" he muttered to himself, "and I'll no

I have a long ride before me to-night, sweetheart. I have business near Newbury. I ha

sked Betty, who was used no

at latest, and my fir

you a

nted to his saddle, well

"For it might fall out that

!" said Betty

must go in. We must part. Oh!

rrow, John! Only

to-morrow!"

e-the moon shone on it, on the large eyes lovingly turned to his, on th

beloved!" Then he drew up his reins. John gave one glance at the moon, and noted how she mounted h

ith a smile on her beautiful face. The