The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-30

SOOu dS
"Heigh-ho,' Nanette sighed;
through the widow watched the shad
ows that like dark, trailing figures
seemed creeping up the ancient wall
70 caress and linger on green leaves of
vines, bright flowers and other living
things. But | suppose she had every.
thing she wanted" The girl stirred
restlessly. What sort of man is
Monsieur Beppo, aunt?"
"Beppo?" Recalled as from a long
train of recollections, the woman did
not seem to notice the abruptness of
the inquiry. ooh, he is an old and
faithful servant. For almost as many
years as 1 have been here with an
accent of pride, has he served at the
Mount"
And his moral character, aunt?"
demurely.
Monsieur Beppo has a reputation
for piety, no doubt deservedl" re-
turned the woman, with an accent of
surprise. AT any rate, he seldom
misses mass. But why do you ask?"
Because met him today and he in.
vited me to walk with him this eve.
ming"
He did," Marie's mouth grew firm
er. and your"
Il didn't exactly know how to re-
fuse! he-looked so old and respect
able! l thought, too, you wouldn't
mind and-Im glad you think so we'll
of him, aunt"
In the gathering gloom the listeners
face seemed suddenly to grow graver;
her eyes, which had returned to the
girls, expressed once more doubt and
misgiving. With her glance lifted up
ward, however, Nanette did not seem
to notice this quick change. A star
faint forerunner of a multitude OF
waiting orbs--peeping timorously
down from above the gray, gaunt mass
of stone, alone absorbed the girls
gaze and attention.
Where were you thinking of go
ing?" after a silence of some length
the older woman asked.
Il don't recall that Monsieur Beppo
mentioned" was the low-murmured re.
spouse. But, of course, aunt, if you
object"
Il do not know that do" said the
other slowly. Only" as if the thought
had suddenly come to her, what were
you writing at her ladyships desk
when l went to call you?"
''Writing?" Nanette regarded her
blankly. 81 don't understand you,
aunt"
Weren't you writing something
that you hid in your dress when |
came?"
mol" The girl looked full at the
other; denied point-blank the accuse.
ton. Now that you speak of it, l be.
lieve | did step to the desk" she an.
swered glibly, ito look at some orna.
ment; but as for writing, or daring to,
l should not have presumed"
low discreet rap at the door inter
rupted, and, with a whispered There
he is now!" Nanette cut short further
argument by rising.
She is not telling the truth" For
some time the woman stood looking
down in gloomy thought after the two
had gone. What does it mean"
Moving TO peg, she took down
asked herself again, and, wrapping the
garment about her head and shout
ders, left the room.
Half an hour later, at Beppo's side,
on the beach, Nanette measured her
steps to his; listened to the old mans
platitudes, and even turned not I'M
willing ear to sundry hints and in
nuendos of a tenderer nature. The
girl was in her most complaisant
mood, and, in his role of discreet gal.
liant to young and blooming woman.
hood, the fat factotum strove to make
the most of the opportunity He
sighed; bethought him of a sentiment
al tale, and carped of the beauty of
the moon, then gliding the edge of
the Mounts high towers! She an
swered; looked; but soon her eloquent
glance sweryed to the sands, dotted
by desultory seekers of cookies, or
belated stragglers from the shore, and
fastened itself on a jutting point of
the Mount.
Near it, before a large rock of pc
cular shape, a man was engaged in
that common nocturnal labor OF the To-
cality digging, AS the couple drew
near, quickly he raised his gaze; al
most at once let it fall; engrossed in
his work continued to toss the sand
and stood over ii searchingly. But
when they had gone by, once more he
straightened, and, at the same time,
the girl looked back. Stalwart, black
bearded, I, sailor by his dress, the fell
low made : sigu, and. apparently any
do':5t 9" 20 who he was vanished from
Nanette's mind; for from the fingers
Of the free hand she held behind her,
something fiuttered to the beach.
Leaning to his implement, the man
regarded the paper, but not until the
girls low laugh was heard, as she and
Master Beppo vanished In the dark.
ness, did he step forward and secure
1t.
so! That was it," Breathless, in
dignant, Marie, standing in the black
shade of one of the Mounts projec-
tons, watched the fellow read and re-
gard carefully the message in his
hand; then tearing it, crumple the bits