Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-16
@AUT1OR OF THE STROLLEsS 'DhDfR TIL ROD" TIC.

I
What stspid boy" she exclaimed
severely A moment she studied him
tentatively through her curis. from
the vantage point of her elevated
reat That's big fish," she re.
marked. after a pause.
DO you want it," he asked quickly.
his face Frightening
You can give IT TO Beppo when he
| comes" she said, drawing herself up
loftily Hell be here soon. I've run
away from him!" sudden smile re-
: placed her Srief assumption OF dig
nifty Hell .. so angry, He's fat
and ugly" more confidentiaIly. And
he's so amusing when he's vexed But
how much do you ask for the fisn?"
i didn't mean-to sell IT."
Why not?"
don't sell fish"
Don't sell nshi' She looked at the
clothes. frayed and worn. the bare
muscular throat. the sunburned legs.
You meant to give IT to me?"
Yes"
The girl laughed. What funny
boy"
His cheek flushed: from beneath
the matted hair. the disconnected
black eyes met the knocking brown
ones.
"Of course ! can't take it for moth
ing" she explained. and it is very
absurd OF you to expect it."
Then" with sudden stubbornness.
y 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 low he mas put
some OF them 10 his dungeons You'd
better not talk that way. or he may
shut you up 10 some terrible dark
hole beneath the castle"
I'm not afraid" The black eyes
stone
Then you must be a very wicked
boy. Il would serve you right II /
was to tell
You cam"
Then | won't! Besides. 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 cant even read
ana write
Again the red hue mantled the
boys cheek II don't believe you
can" she exclaimed shrewdly and
clapped her hands Can you now"
He did not answer Monsieur
Gentilhomme,
lie stepped closer. hfs 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 a fat. iraseible looking
man OF middle age. dressed in livery
oh. here you are. rg LADY," His
tone was far from amiable: as ne
spoke he pulled up hts horse with a
vicious jerk "A pretty chase you've
led me-"
She regarded him indirerently. N
you will stop at the Inn. Beppo--"
The mans irate glance fell Who
is this?"
"A boy who doesn't want to sell
his tsh, said the girl merrily
"Ohl" The mans look expressed
quick recognition "A fine days
I Ia. -
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 mock
ing voice. and stood. alert, 1.-THE. like
tiger ready 70 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.
iy the child regarded the man. Were
you afraid?" Beppos answering look
was not one of affection for his
charge who is he9"
An idle vagabond
What is his name"
Il don't know"
Don't you2"
4 queer expression sprang into nj.
eyes, One cant remember every
peasant brat. he returned evasively
She considered him silently: then;
Why did you say, The very spoty' ;
she asked
did L. | don't remember. Bu
it's time we were getting back. Come