The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-04-18
81 The BoB63 -NFRRilL CO.

DO you want it, he asked quickly,
his face Frightening.
You can give II TO Beppo when he
comes" she said. drawing herself up
loftily. "He II be here soon. I've run
away from him." sudden smile re-
placed her brief assumption OF dig
nifty. He'll be so angry! He's fat
and ugly" more confidentially And
he's so amusing when he's vexed. But
how much do you ask for the fish,"
Il didn't mean-to sell it,"
why not?'
'1-don't sell Ash"
Don't sell fish," She looked at the
clot-es. frayed and worn. the bare
muscular throat the sunburned legs.
You meant to give 1t to me-"
Yes"
The girl laughed. what a funny
| boy,"
His cheek flushed from beneath
/ the matted hair, the disconnected
black eyes met the mocking brown
! ones.
"Of course | can't take IL for moth.
Ing" she explained. and it is very
absurd OF you to expect it,"
Then" with sudden stubbornness,
Il will keep it,"
Her glance grew more severe.
Most people speak to me as my
| lady You seem to have forgotten.
! Or perhaps you have been listening to
some OF those silly persons who talk
about everybody being born equal
I've heard my father, the governor.
speak OF them and how he has put
some OF them in his dungeons. You'd
better not talk that way. or he may
shut you up in some terrible dark
hole beneath the castle"
I'm not afraid" The black eyes
stone.
Then you must be very wicked
boy. 1t would serve you right il /
was to tell"
You CAM
Then | WON'T Besides, I'm not a
telltale!" She tossed her curls and
went on. I've heard my father say
these people who want to be called
'gentilhomme' and monsieur are low
and ignorant: they can't even read
ana write
Again the red hue mantled the
boys cheek IL don't believe you
cant" she exclaimed shrewdly and
clapped her hands. Can you now"
lie did not answer. Monsieur
Gentilhomme!'
He stepped closer, his face dark;
but whatever reply he might have
made was interrupted by the sound
OF horses hoofs and the abrupt ap-
pearance. from the direction the child
! had come, OF a fat, misunderstanding
man of middle age. dressed in livery
oh. here you are. my LADY," His
tone was far from amiable; as he
spoke he pulled up his horse with a
vicious jerk. "A pretty chase you've
led me-"
She regarded him indifrerently. III
you will stop at the inn, Beppo-"
The mans irate glance fell. who
is this?"
"A boy who doesn't want to sell
his fish," said the girl merrily.
OH" The mans look expressed
a quick recognition. "A fine days
work Is this--to handy words with"
Abruptly he raised his whip. What
do you mean. sirrah. by stopping my
LADY,"
A fierce CLEAN in the lads eyes be-
| lied the smile on his lips. Don't beat
me. good Beppo." he said in a mock
ing voice, and stood. alert 1.-THE. like
tiger ready to spring. The man hes
itated; his arm dropped to his side
The very spot" he said. looking
around him.
A moment the boy waited. then
turned on his heel and. without
word, walked away. Soon an angle
| in the sea-well g!rding the Mount
hid him from view
why didn't you strike him?" Quiet
~ the child regarded the man Were
you afraid?" Beppo's answering look
was not one OF affection for his
charge. Who is he?"
An idle vagabond."
What is his name?"
Il don't know"
Don't you?"
A queer expression sprang into his
eyes. One can't remember every
peasant brat" he returned evasiveIy.
She considered him silently: then:
why did you say. The very spoty ."
she asked.
Did I? ! don't remember. Hut
it's time we were getting back Come
my LADY," And Beppo struck his
horse smartly.
(LADrEo n,