The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-28
!
.heMOUNTf&A2,NE2g T&2,N q 81
by FREDERIC 8 ISNAM II =
NUhON Of THE STNOlLER:S 'DNDG T1f RON"M.
ILLUSTRATIONS By R4/ 1UA<I:RS
WfREDERIC s ISNAk

he's 30 amusing when he's vexedi But
how much do you ask for the fish?''
Il didn't rnean-to sell 1T"
why not?"
'I-don't sell fish."
Don't sell fish!" She looked at the
clothes. frayed and worn. the bare
muscular throat, the sunburned legs.
You meant to give 1t to me?"
"Yes."
The girl laughed. "what . funny
boy!"
His cheek flushed; from beneath
the matted hair. the Disconnected
black eyes met the mocking brown
ones.
"Of course can't take It for moth
Ing" abe explained. "and II 10 very
absurd Of you to expect It."
Then" with sudden stubbornness,
II will 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"
I'm not afraid" The black eyes
shone.
Then you must be very wicked
boy. 1t would serve you right II !
was to tell"
"You cant"
Then I won't! Besides, I'm not a
telltale!" She tossed her curls and
went on. live 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 mantied the
boys cheek. IL don't believe you
can!" she exclaimed shrewdly and
clapped her hands. "Can you now?"
He did not answer. 'Monsieur!'
'0entilhomme!'"
He stepped closer. his face dark;
but whatever reply he might have
made was interrupted by the sound
OF horses hoofs and the abrupt ap-
pearance. from the direction the child
had come. Of faV irascible-l looking
man Of middle age. sdressed In livery.
"Oh. here you are. my lady!" His
tone was far from amiable; as he
spoke he pulled up his horse with a
vicious jerk. "A pretty chase you've
led mel"
She regarded him indifIerently. III
you will stop at the inn. Beppo-"
The mans irate glance fell. "Who
is thisr'
"A boy who doesn't want to sell
his FISH," said the girl merrily.
"Oh!" The mans look expressed
a quick recognition. "A nne days
work is this-to handy words with"
Abruptly he raised his whip. What
do you mean, sirrah. by stopping my
lady?"
A fierce gleam 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
q 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 q
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 il his name!"
IL don't know"
Don't you?"
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? I"
she asked.
Did i? I don't remember. But
It's time We were getting back. Come,
my lady!" And Beppo struck his
horse smartly.
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