The Clio messenger., 1913-08-15
CHAPTER XVII.
A Stroll on the Strand.

A Stroll on the Strand.
"You are In a hurry. Monsieur Bep-
POP" arms akimbo, Nanette. standing
in an embrasure of the rampant, called
out to the Governors man as he
passed by.
"Ah, 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: a
few days before, Nanette had flashed
a radiant smile at him from her case
ment, and. ever since, he had been
inclined to regard her with favor.
mot more important. but duties that
must be attended to! The wedding
hour draws near" The island girl
half turned her head; a shadow
seemed to pass over the bold, sun
burned features. "And her ladyship
gives tomorrow riding party for her
guests--a last celebration before she
is led to the altar. I am on my way
now to arrange about the escort"
"A riding party!" Nanette spoke
quickly. "Yor mean on horseback"
How else?" said Beppo. 1T is a
pastime her ladyship has always been
very fond Of, even as child. In
those days." not without an accent Of
self-importance, 1T was my privi-
lege-"
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?"
"Off 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 rugged grandeur"
with forests around?" quickly.
YES" indulgently. you like for
ests. Mistress Nanette?"
When they are thick and wild"
Then would you like these!"
The girl asked no further ques-
tions; yet still Beppo fingered, his
from this exuberant specimen of Wig
orous young womanhood (which
way were you going. good Mistress
Nanette?" he asked finally ION Sec
ond thoughts. I have a-iittle time to
spare and will walk along"
Nanette looked down from the ram
part toward the sands and the shore,
did not answer. and. more insinuating.
! ly, Beppo repeated his proposal. Nan
cite started.
La, Monsieur Beppo! I'm afraid
II wouldn't do. There's my aunt"
tossing her head, that careful Of me!
Won't even let me go walking on the
beach alone! Do you ever go walking
on the beach, Monsieur Beppo?" she
inquired suddenly. regarding him with
an eloquent look.
Tt has not been my CUSTOM" he
murmured. But" the fishy eyes
growing brighter, with you-if I
might accompany you"
"Oh, didn't mean that! Oh; no!
or course not! And l couldn't think
of 1t. My aunt"
turned. to walk quickly away, the
round and shining face Of Beppo,
watching her disappear, wore not the
look of a man who had allowed hii..-
self to be rebuffed.
Out of his sight. Nanette's express.
sion changed, to one of somber
thoughtfulness; It fingered as she en-
tered the palace, with free swing,
mounted the steps to her mistress
apartments; was still there, when she
took 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
some problem.
Yes; II is our only chance" In her
eyes a steady glow replaced the vary
ing lights, and, getting up with sud-
den air OF determination, Nanette
crossed the room to where, near the
door, stood a small desk. Glancing
quickly around, she seated herself and.
reaching for paper and pen, wrote
carefully and somewhat laboriously a
few words. She had finished and
was contemplating the result OF her
eager, efforts wien a hand at the door
caused her to dash down the pen and