The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-08-22
CHAPTER xxvlII.-(continued)

This note might nave Deen lntehu-
ed for some admirer!" said, at length.
the Governors daughter slowly
HE looked more like an old priva-
teersman!" murmured the woman.
And there may be some plot-some
plan!"
"Privateersman!" The girls man.
ner underwent a change; she shrugged
her shoulders. What could they hope
to do at the Mount! You are magma
tive, Marie!" lightly. "Nanette is
good-looking. and what little Is here
would seem to signify rendezvous.
There may be no great harm in that"
II am sorry, my Lady, to seem to
think i'll of my own kim" muttered the
woman dejectedly, but"
Think no more Of It! You have
done your duty. Now leave the mat
p ter to me, and-thank you. Marie!" .
When, however. the old nurse had
gone, all pretense Of lightness faded
from the face of the Governors daugh-
ter, and, opening the bit of paper. once
more she scrutinized 1t swiftly. in
tently.
y
she read. Yes; 1t must mean st. Ran
ulphe-where we are going. And
where Beppo knew we were going!
Beppo, she went down on the beach
With" Again she studied the frag-
ment, striving to make out word that
had been blotted and was almost IL
legible. She frowned as she endeav-
ored to decipher it. Lady E." She
gave an exclamation. THAT refers. Of
course, to-But why?" She kept ask
ing herself the question. "Why?" she
repeated, when suddenly the brown
eyes widened-changed; a new light
shone In their depths. 1T must be
they intend to-what else?"
The sound of horns-signal for the
party to gather-broke upon the air.
and, nervously crushing in her palm
the piece of the message, she stepped
to the table, to the untasted break.
fast. Like one In a dream, who yet
feels the need for haste, she poured
out the coffee; with unsteady hand
raised the cup and drank; started to
serve herself again; as IL forgetful Of
the impulse, paused.
And II" she said with deeper
breath. ITO ride to the ambush they
have so cleverly planned? Allow my
self to be taken prisoner by these des-
perate men? No; no; could not!
And yet" A trampling of horses
hoofs In the court below interrupted.
They are ready to start!" Uncer-
tainly she lifted her head: looked
around her; then mechanically stepped
forward and left the room.
A scene of animation greeted her in
the court, alive with lords and ladies'.
for the most part already in the saddle
and waiting.
Hail to Diana. who will lead us in
the forests!"
Fair nymph, let US away!" and the
Marquis extended his hand.
With seemingly merry nod she
acknowledged their greetings: put out
foot, and lightly sprang to her place
on the back Of the nervous thorough
bred. But ere giving the signal to
start. the girls glance swung around
to window opposite, where stood an
austere figure. imperturbably looking
down to watch them ride off.
"Au revoir, mon PEREZ" Her voice
rose with an odd, unusual thrill. EAU
revoir! she repeated. when a misti
ness In her eyes suddenly blurred
sight OF him, and she frightened the
reins. Yet hesitating to go. her gaze
cleared. and swerving. was abruptly
arrested by another and more inter
ested spectator. who, partly concealed
by flowers and plants, peered with
anxious expectancy from her own bal.
cony. AS Nanette's eyes met those Of
the Governors daughter. they wavered
half guiltily; suddenly became steady.
held by something's fash Of impel
ling intelligence in the others gage A