Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-11-21
CHAPTER XVII.
A Stroll on the Strand.

"You are in a hurry, Monsieur Bep
po?" 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, "1 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; q
few days before, Nanette had flashed
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 q 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
"How else?" said Beppo. ut 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, ut was my privi
lege-"
"Do they ride far?' interrupted
Nanette with Unsurpassed eager
ness.
ITO the 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 ter
miles from the Mount"
"Ten miles? And the country is
beautiful? Not open; sandy, like the
shore?"
at 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, hi!
glance seeming loath to Withdraw
u from this exuberant specimen Of Wig
orous young womanhood. (Which
way were you going, good Mistress
Nanette?" he asked finally. "On sec
/. ond thoughts, I have little time tt
= spare and will walk along"
q Nanette looked down from the ram
part toward the sands and the shore
in ciDno fir O
g 1y, Beppo repeated his proposal. Nan
t cite started.
q LA, Monsieur Beppo! I'm afrai'
|, it wouldn't do. There's my aunt,
e tossing her head, that careful Of me
g Won't even let me go walking on tn
e beach alone! Do you ever go watkins
o on the beach, Monsieur Beppo?" sh
inquired suddenly, regarding him wit
e an eloquent look.
+ "I-it has not been my CUSTOM" b.
s murmured. But" the fishy eye
n growing brighter, with you-if
@ might accompany you"
ooh, I didn't mean that! Oh; no
OF course not! And / couldn't thin
d of it. My aunt"
II But when few moments later, sh
turned, to walk quickly away, tn
k round and shining face Of Beppc
e watching her disappear, wore not tn
look of man who had allowed hin
It self to be rebuffed.
J. Out of his sight, Nanette's expires
F" sion changed to one Of sombe
thoughtfulness; it fingered as she Ell
= tered the palace, with free swing
mounted the steps to her mistress
o apartments; was still there, when sh
Z took bit of embroidery from tabl
and seated herself at the window c
an antechamber, bent over her tasl
u Soon, however, she stopped, to swee
abruptly cloth and colored silks froI