Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-08-30
CHAPTER XVII.
A Stroll on the Strand.

A Stroll on the Strand.
You are in a 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, 81 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
radiant smile at him from her case
ment, and, ever since, he had been
inclined to 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 a riding party for her
guests-a last celebration before she
is led to the altar. I am on my way
now to arrange about the escort
"A riding partyi" Nanette spoke
quickly you mean on horseback"
How else?" said Beppo. TT is a
pastime her ladyship has always been
very fond of, even as child. In
those days." not without an accent of
self-importance. sit was my privi-
lege-''
DO they ride far?" Interrupted
Nanette with Unsurpassed eager.
ness.
ITO the old Monastery St Ra-
nulphe; an imposing ruin of tenth
century architecture. my DEAR" he
added pompously.
And where is it?''
"Of the Paris highway, some ten
miles from the Mount"
Ten miles? And the country is
| beautiful? Not open; sandy. like the
| shore?"
1T 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 ques
tons; yet still Beppo fingered, his
| glance seeming loath to withdraw
from this exuberant specimen of Wig
! orous young womanhood. (which
way were you going, good Mistress
Nanette?" he asked finally "On sec
ond thoughts, 1 have little time tc
spare and will walk along"
Nanette looked down from the ram
part toward the sands and the shore
did not answer, and, more fnsinuating
ly, Beppo repeated his proposal. Nan
cite started
La, Monsieur BeppoI I'm afraic
| do ,
tossing her head, that careful of me-
Won't even let me go walking on tn.
beach alone! Do you ever go walkin,
on the beach, Monsieur Beppo?" sh.
inquired suddenly, regarding him will
an eloquent look
Tit has not been my custom" h,
murmured- ''Bus,% the fishy eye,
growing brighter, with you-if
might accompany you
"Oh, / didn't mean thatl Oh; no
OF course not! And 1 couldn't thinl
OF it My aunt
But when a few moments later. sh.
turned, to walk quickly away, tn.
round and shining face of Beppc
watching her disappear, wore not tn
look of a man who had allowed him
self to be rebuffed.
Out of his sight, Nanette's expires
sion changed to one of somhs
thoughtfulness; 1t fingered as she en
tered the palace. with free swins
mounted the steps to her mistress
apartments; was still there, when ali
took a bit of embroidery from a tabI.
and seated herself at the window O
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 claspe.
over her knees. she seemed to be ask
ing herself questions. or weighin;
some problem.
Yes; 1t is our only chance" In he
! eyes steady glow replaced the vary
ing lights, and, getting up with a sud
den air of determination, Nanett
crossed the room to where, near tn
door, stood a small desk. Glancin,
quickly around, she seated herself and
reaching for paper and pen. wrot
carefully and somewhat laboriously
few words She had finished an
! was contemplating the result OF he
eager efforts when a hand at the doc
J caused her to dash down the pen an