The Forrest City times., 1913-11-21
CHAPTER XVII.
A Stroll on the Strand.

Stroll on the Strand
You are in a hurry, Monsieur Bep-
POI" arms akimbo. Nanette, standing
in an embrasure OF the rampant, called
out to the Governors man as he
passed by.
All, Mistress Nanette," Beppo
stopped readily enough, Il didn't see
you at first"
Because you have more important
matters to think Of" she laughed.
showing her strong white teeth.
The fat old man looked pleased:
few days before. Nanette had flashed
a radiant smile at him from her case
ment, and, ever since, he had been
inclined 10 regard her with favor.
Not more important, but duties that
must be attended to! The wedding
hour draws near" The island girl
half turned her head; shadow
seemed to pass over the bold. sun
burned features. And her ladyship
gives tomorrow a riding party for her
guests--a last celebration before she
Is led 70 the altar. am on my way
now to arrange about the escort"
A riding party" Nanette spoke
quickly. You mean on horseback ."
How else?" said BAppo. III is a
pastime her ladyship has always been
very fond of, even as a child. In
those days not without an accent Of
/ self-importance, "it vas ny privi-
lcge-"
DO they ride far?" interrupted
Nanette with Unsurpassed eager
ness.
ITO tho old Monastery St Ra-
nulphe; an imposing ruin OF tenth
century architecture. my dear" he
added pompously
And where is it,"
of the Paris highway. some ten
miles from the Mount"
Ten miles? And the country is
beautiful? Not open; sandy. like the
shore?"
1T partakes of a rugged grandeur o.
With forests around ." quickly.
Yes" indulgently You like for
ests. Mistress Nanette?"
When they are thick and Wild"
Then would you Ike these"
The girl asked no further ques-
lions; yet still Beppo fingered. his
glance seeming loath to withdraw
from this exuberan, specimen Of Wig,
orous young womanhood Which
way were you going. good Mistress
Nanette?' he asked finally On sec.
ond thoughts / have a little time to
spare and viii walk along"
Nanette looked down from the ram.
part toward the sands and the shore.
did not answer, and, more insinua,tne.
II, Beppo repeated his proposal Nan.
cite started
La, Monsieur Beppo' lin afraid
It wouldn't DO. There nv aunt "
tossing her head, that careful Of me.
Won't even let ne go walking on the
beach alone! 10 you ever 20 walking
on the beach, Monsieur Beppo?" she
inquired suddenly, regarding him with
an eloquent look
lit has not been my custom" he
murmured. But" the hshy ewes
growing brighter. with you-f !
might accompany you"
oh, | didn't mean that, Oh: no,
OF course not And couldn't .hInk
OF il My aunt"
But when few moments later. she
turned, 70 walk quickly away. The
round and shining face Of Beppo
watching her disappear. wore not The
look of man who had allowed him.
self TO be rebufied.
Out Of his sight. Nanotte's expres.
sion changed to one Of somber
thoughtfulness; 1t fingered as She en-.
tered the palace, with free swing
mounted the steps to her mistress,
apartments; was still here. when she
took a bit OF embroidery from a table
and seated herself at the window Of
an antechamber, bent over her task
Soon. however. she stopped, to sweep
abruptly cloth and colored silks from
her lap to the floor. and. leaning for.
ward. her firm. brown hands clasped
over her knees, she seemed to be ask
ing herself questions. or weighing
some problem.
Yes; it is our only chance" In her
eyes steady glow replaced the vary.
Ing lights, and, getting up with a sud
den air Of determination. Nauette
crossed the roam to where. near the
door. stood small desk CHANGING
quickly around she seated herself and
reaching for paper and pen. wrote
carefully and somewhat laborioasy
few words. She had finished and
was contemplating the result OF her
eager efforts when hand q the door
caused her to dash down The pen and