The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-04-25
CHAPTER ~.
A Sudden Resolution.

A Sudden Resolution.
After his chance encounter with
my lady, the governors daughter. and
Beppo. her attendant, the boy walked
quickly from the Mount to the forest.
His eyes were still bright; his cheeks
yet burned, but occasionally the
shadow of smile played about his
mouth, and he threw up his head
fiercely. At the verge of 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 he
reached, he stopped for an armful OF
faggots, and, bending under his load,
passed through an entrance, scared
and battered, across a great roofless
space and up flight OF steps to
room that had once been the kitchen
of the vast establishment. AS he en-
tered. a man. thin, wizened. though
active looking, turned around.
so you've got back?" he said in
a grumbling tone.
YES" answered the boy good-nat-
uredly. casting the wood to the flag
gipg near the flame and brushing his
coat with his hand; the storm kept
us out last night, Sanchez"
It'll keep you out for good some
day." remarked the man. You'll 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 stool
close to the pot above the blaze, re-
moved the lid and peered within. APP
parently his survey was not satisfac-
tory. for he replaced the cover,
clasped his fingers over his knees and
half closed his eyes.
where's the fish,"
The boy, thoughtfully regarding the
flames, started; when he had left the
child and Beppo, unconsciously he had
dropped it, but this he did not now
explain. Il didn't bring one"
Didn't bring one?"'
No." said the boy. flushing slightly.
And not a bone or scrap in the
larder! Niggardly fishermen! A small
enough wage-for going to sea and
helping them"
"Oh, / could have had what want
ell And they are not niggardly!
ONLY forgot"
Forgot" The man lifted his hands.
but any further evidence OF surprise
or expostulation was interrupted by
sudden ebullition in the pot.
Left to his thoughts, the boy stepped
to the window; for some time stood
motionless, gazing through forest
rift at the end OF which uprose the
top of an Aladdin-like structure, by
an optical illusion become part OF
that locality; a conjuror's castle in
the wood!
The Mount looks near tonight,
Sanchez"
"Near?" The man took from its
hook the pot and set it on the table.
Not too near to suit the governor.
perhaps!"
And why should it suit him?"
drawing stool to the table and sit
ting down.
Because he must be so fond or
looking at the forest.
And does that-please him.
How could 1t fail to? Isn't IL a
nice wood? Oh, yes. I'll warrant you
he finds It to his liking. And all the
lands about the forest that used to be-
long to the old Seigneurs, and which
the peasants have taken-waste lands
they have tilled-he must think them
very fine to look at, now! And what
a hubbub there would be. IL the lazy
neasants had to pay their metayage.
and fre-tax and road-tax-and all the
other taxes-the way the other peas
ants do--to him
what do you meanr
.Nothing!" The mans jaw closed
IKE steel trap The porridge is
hnrnsd."