Mexico Missouri message., 1913-09-11
CHAPTER XVII.
A Stroll on the Strand.

A Stroll on the Strand.
You are IN hurry. Monsieur Bep.
POI" arms aklmbo, Nanette, standing
in an embrasure Of the rampant. called
out to the Governors man as he
passed by.
"Ah, Mistress Nanette," Beppo
stopped readily enough. Il didn't see
you at first"
Because you have more important
matters TO think Of" she laughed.
showing her strong white teeth.
The fat old man looked pleased; a
few days before, Nanette had flashed
a radiant smile ut him from her case.
ment, and. ever since. he had been
inclined 10 regard her with favor.
Not more important, but duties that
must be attended to! The wedding
hour draws near" The island girl
half turned her head; a shadow
seemed to pass over the bold. sun
burned features. And her ladyship
gives tomorrow n riding party for her
guests-a last celebration before she
Is led TO the altar am on my way
now TO arrange about the escort"
"A riding party" Nanette spoke
quickly. You mean on horseback"
How else?" said Beppo. at Is a
pastime her ladyship has always been
very fond Of, even as a child. In
those days" not without an accent Of
selfimportance, ut was my priv.
lege-"
DO they ride far?" interrupted
Nanette with Unsurpassed eager.
ness.
TO tho old Monastery st. Ra.
nulphe; an imposing ruin OF tenth
century architecture, my dear" he
added pompously.
And where Is it?"
on the Paris highway, some ten
miles from the Mount"
Ten miles? And the country Is
beautiful? Not open; sandy, like the
store?"
II partakes OF a rugged grandeur"
with forests around?" quickly.
Yes" indulgently. You like for.
ests. Mistress Nanette?"
When they are thick and wild"
Then would you like these!"
The girl asked no further oues-
tons; yet still Beppo fingered. his
glance seeming loath TO withdraw
from this exubersnt specimen OF Wig.
orous young womanhood. Which
way were you going. good Mistress
Nanette?' he asked finally. ION sec.
ond thoughts, have a little time to
spare and will walk along"
Nanette looked down from the ram.
part toward the sands and the shore.
did not answer. and, more insinuating.
ly, Beppo repeated his proposal Nan
cite started
La Monsieur Beppo! lin afraid
t wouldn't do. There's my aunt"
tossing her head. that careful OF me,
Won't even let me 90 walking on the
beach alone! Do you ever go walking
on the beach. Monsieur Beppo?" she
inquired suddenly, regarding him with
an eloquent look.
Tt has not been my custom" he
murmured. But" the fshy eyes
growing brighter. with you-ik /
might accompany you"
"Oh, didn't mean that! Oh: MOI
OF course not! And couldn't think
Of It. My aunt"
But when a few moments later she
turned. to walk quickly away. the
round and shining face OF Beppo.
her disappear. wore not the
look of man who had allowed him.
self TO be rebuffed
Out Of his sight. Nanette's expires.
sion changed to one OF somber
thoughtfulness; II fingered as she en-.
tered the palace, with free swing
the steps 10 her mistress'
apartments; was still there, when she
took a bit Of embroidery from a table
and seated herself at the window ~
an antechamber. bent over her task
Soon, however, she stopped, to sweep
abruptly cloth and colored silks from
her lap TO the floor, and, leaning for.
ward, her firm, brown hands clasped
over her knees. she seemed to be ask.
Ing herself questions. or weighing
some problem.
Yes; II is our only chance" In her
eyes a steady glow replaced the vary
ng lights, aud. getting up with a sud
len air OF determination, Nanette
zrossed the room 20 where, near the
ioor, stood a small desk. CHANGING
quickly around, she seated herself and.
reaching for paper and pen, wrote
carefully and somewhat laboriously a
ew words. She had finished and
was contemplating the result OF her
eager Efforts when hand at the door
caused her TO dash down the pen and