Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-05-15
CIT 1908 ~ TIE eo563 MERRILL CO.

/
You can give It to Beppo when he
comes" she said, drawing herself up
loftily. He II be here soon. I've run
away from him." A sudden smile re-
placed her brief assumption OF dig
nifty. Hell be so angry! He's fat
and ugly" more coniidentially. And
hos so amusing when he's veXedl But
how much do you ask for the fish,
! i didn't moan-to sell it,
why not?"
"I-don't sell FISH"
Don't sell fish" She looked at the
clothes. 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 hooking brown
ones.
"Of course can't take it 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
sEone.
Then you must be a very wicked
boy. II would serve you right If
was to tell"
You CAM"
Then WON'T Besides. I'm not a
teIltale,"- She tossed her curls anc
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 rasC
and write
Again the red hue mantled tbs
boys cheek. Il don't believe yol
cam" she exclaimed shrewdly anC
clapped her hands. Can you now
He did not answer. Monsieur!
Gentilhomme.
He stepped closer, his face dark
but whatever reply he might hav,
made was interrupted by the sounC
OF horses hoofs and the abrupt ap
pearance, from the direction the chile
, had come. Of a fat, irascible-lookinl
man OF middle age, dressed in livery
oh, here you are. my LADY," Hi
tone was far from amiable; as h,
spoke he pulled up his horse with I
. vicious Jerk. "A pretty chase you'v,
. led me-"
She regarded him indifereutly. Il
, you will stop al the inn, Beppo-"
The mans irate glance fell. "WhC
is this?"
"A boy who doesn't want to sci
his fish" said the girl merrily.
oh" The mans look expressec
a quick recognition. a fine day
work is this-to handy words with
Abruptly he raised his whip. VIVA
do you mean, sirrah. by stopping m,
LADY,"
A fierce CLEAN in the lads eyes be
lied the smile on his lips. Don't bea
, me, good Beppo." he said in a mock
, ing voice. and stood. alert, 1.-THE. Tx
a tiger ready TO spring. The man hes
itated; his arm dropped to his side
THE very spot" he said. lookin
around him.
A moment the boy waited. the
turned on his heel and, without
word, walked away Soon an angI
in the sea-wel girdling the Mount
hid him from view.
why didn't you strike him." Quie'
~ the child regarded the man. "Wer
you afraid?" Beppos answering loo
; was not one OF affection for hi
charge. Who is he?"
An idle vagabond"
What is his name?"
o 81 don't know"
Don't you?"
a queer expression sprang into hi
. eyes. "One can't remember ever
. peasant brat" he returned evasiye,J
She considered him silently; then
Why did you say, The very spot?'
she asked.
5 Did l? ! don't remember. Blu
it's time We were getting back Com,
1 my LADY," And Beppo struck hi
! horse smartly.
: CHAPTER II.
Il An Echo OF the Past.
a lmmovable on its granite base. th