The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-07-31
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BY FREDERIC fRI y F}s!l s IS!NSSM INN l. T. Z .,.,,
AUWNNN N ITN CIIOLLLNG WIDLIl HL NOt
LbUSTRATIONS BY TS14/ WAkT=RS

"AeRb a Siuplu uOy. sue cACldlIueO
severely. A moment she studied him
tentatively through her curls, from
the vantage point OF her elevated
reat. That's a big fish," she re
marked, after a pause.
DO you want it?" he asked quickly
his face frightening.
You can give 1t to Beppo when be
comes,7 she said, drawing herself VI
loftily. He'll be here soon. I've run
away from him!" A 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 tish?"
II didn't mean-to sell it!"
why not?"
'I-don't sell fish"
Don't sell fish," She looked at the
clot-es, frayed and worn, the bare
muscular throat, the sunburned legs.
You meant to give it 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 1t for moth
ing" she explained, "and 1t 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 low 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
sEone.
Then you must be a very wicked
boy. 1t would serve you right If /
was to tell"
You cant"
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
and write"
Again the red hue mantled the
boys cheek. II don't believe you
cant" she exclaimed shrewdly and
clapped her hands. Can you now?"
He 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 fat, irascible-looking
man Of middle age, dressed in livery.
"Oh, here you are, my LADY," His
tOhC wac AdL LlOh1 uAhAhblc, DIS uO
spoke he pulled up his horse with
vicious jerk. "A pretty chase you've
led mel"
She regarded him indifferently. IF
you will stop at the inn, E1ppo-"
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 mock
ing voice, and stood. alert, 1.-THE, like
a 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 a
word, walked away. Soon an angle
in the sea-well, girdling the Mount
hid him from view.
why didn't you strike him?" Quiet.
ly the child regarded the man. Were
you afraid?" Beppo's answering look
was not one Of affection for his
charge. Who is he?"
IAN idle vagabond."
What is his name?"
Il don't know"
Don't your"
A queer expression sprang into his
eyes. "One can't remember every
peasant brat" he returned evasively.
She considered him silently: then:
why did you say. The very spot%"
she asked.
did l? don't remember. But
It's time We were getting back. Come.
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