Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-08-13
CHAPTER XVII.
A Stroll on the STRAND.

You are In hurry. Monsieur Bep-
POI" arms akimbo. 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 gee
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 at 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: shadow
seemed to pass over the bold. sun
burned features. And her iadyship
gives tomorrow a 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. "lt is a
pastime her ladyship has always been
very fond OF. even as a child. In
those days." not without an accent OF
self.importance, 1T was my prlyi-
Iege--"
DO they ride far?" interrupted
Nanette with Unsurpassed eager.
ness.
ITO the old Monastery ST RIA
nulphe; an imposing ruin Of tenth
century architecture. my dear" he
added pompously.
And where Is IT."
"off the Paris highway. some ten
miles from the Mount"
Ten milss? And the country is
beautiful? Not open; sandy. like the
shore?"
1T partakes of rugged grandeur"
with forests around?" quickly.
Yes" indulgentiy "You like for
ests. Mistress Nanette?"
When they are chick and wild"
Then would you like these"
The girl ssked no further ques-
tons; yet SIN Beppo fingered, his
glance seeming loath to withdraw
from his exuberant specimen Of Wig
orous young womanhood which
way were you going. good Mistress
Nanette?" he asked finally ION sec
ond thoughts. have little time to
spare and viii walk along"
Nanette looked down from the ram.
part toward the sands and the shore.
did not answer. and more inslnuating-
ly. Beppo repeated his proposal Nan
cite started
La. Monsieur Beppol I'm afraid
il wouldn't do. There's my aunt"
tossing her head that careful Of me!
Won't even let me go 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'll I
might accompany you
"Oh. didn't mean that Oh: no.
or course not! And couldn't think
OF It. My aunt
But when few moments later. she
turned. 10 walk quickly away. the
round and shining face OF Beppo.
watching her disappear. wore not the
look of man who had allowed him.
self TO be rebuffed.
Out Of his sight. Nanette's express.
sion changed 10 one OF somber
thoughtfulness: II fingered as she en-.
tered the palace. with free swing.
mounted the steps to her mistress
apartments; was still there. when she
took bit of embroidery from a table
and seated herself at the window OF
an antechamber. bent over her task.
SooR, however. she stopped. to sweep
abruptly cloth and colored silks from
her lap to the floor. and. leaning for
ward. her arm. brown hands ciaspsd