Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-05-03
CHAPTER Ill.
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
dercely. 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 roof1ess
space and up a fight of steps to a
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 back2" he said in
a grumbling tone
YES" answered the boy good-nat-
uredly, casting the wood to the flag
cling near the fame 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, If 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.
cIasped his fingers over his knees and
half closed his eyes
Where's the hsh?"
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 bone or scrap in the
larder, Niggardly fishermenI A small
enough wage-for going to sea and
helping them"
-Oh, / could have had what l 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 in the pot
LEFT to his thoughts, the boy stepped
to the window. for some time stood
modonless, gazing through a forest
rift at the end of which uprose the
top of an Aladdin-like structure, by
an optical Illusion become a part of
that locality; q con1uror's castle in
the wood
THE Mount looks near tonight.
Sanchezi"
-Near?" The man took from its
hook the pot and set 1t on the table.
Not too near to suit the governor,
perhaps,"
And why should it suit him p"
drawing a stool to the table and sit
ting down.
because he must be so fond OF
looking at the forest
And does that-please him."
How could it fail to? Isn't 1t a
nicc 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. If the lazy
peasants had to pay their metayage.
and fire-tax and road-tax-and all the
other taxes-the way the other peas
ants do-to him
what do you mean?"
.Nothing," The mans jaw closed
like a steel trap. The porridge 10
burned"