The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-10-17
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he's so amusing when he's vexed! But
how much do you ask for the tish?"
Il didn't mean-to sell It'll"
Why not?"
"I-don't sell fish"
Don't sell fish, She looked at the
clothes, frayed ana worn, the bare
muscular throat. the sunburned legs
You meant to give it to me?'
Yes
The girl laughed. What a funny
boy!'
His cheek flushed from beneath
the matted hair, the disconnected
black eyes met the hooking brown
ones.
"Of course l can't take it for moth
ing" she explained, and it is very
absurd of you to expect it."
Then" with sudden stubbornness.
II viii keep it,"
Her glance grew more severe
Most people speak to me as my
lady You seem to have forgotten.
Or perhaps you have been listening to
some Of those silly persons who talk
about everybody being born equal.
I've heard my father, the governor,
speak of them and how he has put
some of them in his dungeons. You'd
better not talk that way, or he may
shut you up in some terrible dark
hole beneath the castle"
Pm not afraid" The black eyes
shone
Then you must be a very wicked
boy. 1t would serve you right if
was to tell"
You cam"
Then won't! Besides, I'm not a
telltale!" She tossed her curls and
went on I've heard my father say
these people who want to be called
'gentilhomme' and monsieur are low
and ignorant; they can't even read
and write"
Again the red hue mantled the
boys cheek. II don't believe you
CAM" she exclaimed shrewdly and
clapped her hands. Can you now?"
He did not answer Monsieur!
'Gentilhomme!
He stepped closer, his face dark;
but whatever reply he might have
made was interrupted by the sound
of a horses hoofs and the abrupt ap-
pearance, from the direction the child
had come, of a fat. misunderstanding
man of middle age, dressed in livery.
oh, here you are, my LADY," His
tone was far from amiable; as he
bo with a
vicious jerk. "a pretty chase you've
led me-"
She regarded him indifferently. IF
You will stop at the inn, Beppo-"
The mans irate glance fell. who
il this?'
"A boy who doesn't want to sell
his fish" said the girl merrily.
oh" The mans look expressed
a quick recognition. "A fine days
work is this-to handy words with"
Abruptly he raised his whip. What
do you mean, sirrah, by stopping my
LADY,"
A fierce CLEAN in the lads eyes be-
lied the smile on his lips Don't beat
me, good Beppo!" he said in a mock
ing voice, and stood, alert, 1.-the, like
a tiger ready to spring. The man hes
itated; his arm dropped to his side.
The very spot" he said, looking
around him.
A moment the boy waited, then
turned on his heel and, without a
word, walked away. Soon an angle
in the sea-well, girdling the Mount,
hid him from view.
Why didn't you strike him." Quiet
ly the child regarded the man. Were
you afraid?" Beppos answering look
was not one OF affection for his
charge Who is he?"
AN idle vagabond."
What is his name?"
u don't know"
Don't your
A queer expression sprang into his
eyes "One can't remember every
peasant brat" he returned evasively.
She considered him silently; then:
Why did you say, The very spot?"
she asked.
Did l? l don't remember But
it's time we We're getting back. Come,
my LADY," And Beppo struck his
horse smartly.