Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-05-22
CHAPTER ~.
A Sudden Resolution

After his chance encounter with
my lady. the governors daughter, and
Beppc. her attendant, the boy walked
quickly from the Mount to the forest.
His eyes were still bright; his cheeks
Jet burned, but occasionally the
shadow OF a smile played about his
mouth, and he threw up his head
fierceiy. At the verge CT the wood
he looked back. stood for a moment
with the reflection of light on his face
then plunged into the shadows Of the
sylvan labyrinth. Near the east door
OF the castle. which presently ne
reached. he stopped for an armful OF
faggots, and, bending under his load,
passed through an entrance, scared
and battered, across a great rootiess
space and up a fight OF steps 10 a
room that mad once been the kitchen
of the vast establishment. AS he en-
tered. a man. thin. wizened. though
active looking. turned around
$50 you've got back?" he said in
a grumbling tone
Yes" answered the boy good-nat-
uredly, casting the wood 70 the flag
ging near the fame and brushing his
coat with his hand; %the storm kept
us out last night, Sanchez"
"ltll Keep you out for good some
day" remarked the man. "You'l be
drowned, Il you don't have a care"
Better that than being hanged"
returned the lad lightly.
The others response, beneath his
breath. was lost, as he drew his stoo!
close to the pot above the blaze. re-
moved the lid and peered within. Ap-
parently his survey was not sausiac-
tory, for he replaced the cover,
clesped his fingers over his knees ana
half closed his eyes
where's the fish,"
The boy, thoughuully regarding the
names, started; when ne had lett the
child and Beppo, unconsciously he had
dropped it. but this be did not now
explain. Il didn't bring one"
Didn't bring oue?'
No" said the boy. flushing slightly.
And not a bone or scrap in the
Iarder! Niggardly fishermen. \ small
enough wage-ior going to sea and
helping them"
"Oh, could have had what want.
ed And they are not niggardly!
Only forgot"
Forgot The man lifted his hands,
but any further evidence OF surprise
or expostulation was interrupted by a
sudden ebullition 10 the pot
Left TO his thoughts, the boy stepped
90 the window; for some time stood.
yupfiDplaEc GAZING thr,vub a grr.g,'
rift al the end OF which uprOse the
Top OF an Aladdin-like structure. by
an optical illusion become a part OF
that locality; conjurors castle in
the wood!
The Mount looks near tonight.
Sanchez"
Near" The man took from its
nook the pot and set it on the table
Not too near TO suit the governor,
perhaps"
And why should It suit him."
ting down.
Because he must be so fond OF
looking at the forest"
And does that-please him?"
How could It fail 10? Isn't II a
nice wood? Oh, yes, III warrant you
ne finds It to his liking. And all the
lands about the forest that used 10 be-
hong to the old Seigneurs. and which
tho peasants have taken--waste lands
they have tilled--he must think them
very fine 20 look at. now! And whaI
a bubbub there would be, II the LAZY
peasants had 10 pay their metayage
ana are-tax and roa1tax-and all the
other tAxes--the way the other peas
ants do---to him"
What do you mean"
Nothing" The mans Jaw closeC
like steel trap. The porridge II
burned