The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-08

the residence of the proud Constable OF
Dubrois? You must have been but child,
he added, refectively.
Yes; but children may have long memo
ries'
I'm your case certainly How well you
knew all the passages and corridors OF the
castle,''
She responded careIessly and changed the
conversation. The thoroughfare broadening,
forward side by side. But single human
figure, during all those hours, they encoun-
tered. and that when the afternoon had
fairly worn away. For some time they had
pursued their journey silently, when at
turn in the road the horse of the jester
SHE'D and started back
At the same time an unclean, offensive
looking monk in Franciscan attire arose
suddenly out of the stubble by the wayside.
In his hand he held heavy stan, newly
cut from the forest, a stock which, In MS
brawny arms. seemed better adapted for a
weapon than as a prop for his sturdy
frame. From the rope girdle about his
waist depended a rosary whose great beads
would have served the fingers OF Cyclops.
and a most diminutive. leathern-bound
prayer book. At the appearance or the. fool
and his companion. he opened an enormous
mouth, and in voice proportionately large
began to whine right vigorously,
Church. Charity in the name of the Holy
Mother! In the name of the saints. the
apostles and the evangelists. 81: John. St
Peter, ST." Then broke off suddenly, star
ing stupidity at the jester.
The dukes fool!' he exclaimed. What
are you doing here? A plague upon it! You
have as many lives as monk!
Call you yourself a monk, rascal?'
asked the jester contemptuously.
AT times. Charity, good fool!'' the can't
ing rogue again began to whine, edging
the prophets and the disciples. The seven
sacraments, the feast Of the Pentecost and
the Passover In the name of the holy
fathers, ST. Sebastian! st. Michael. ST."
DIT h. IoI l..
and the unregenerate knave turned his
pious eloquence into an unhallowed channel
of oaths, waving his staff menacingly after
them.
II fear me-" said the jester, when they
had put goodly distance between them
selves and the solitary figure, ''yonder
brother Graves almsgiving with HIS voice.
and enforces the bounty with his staff.
Woe betide the good Samaritan who falls
within reach of his pilgrims prop"
You knew him. she asked.
II had the doubtful pleasure" he an
swered. He was hired to kill me-"
'Why?" in surprise.
Because the-duke wanted me out Of the
way"
She asked no further questions. although
he could see by her brow she was thinking
deeply Was the duke, then. no better than
common assassin? She frowned. then
gave an impa tent exclamation.
1T is inexplicable," she said, and rode
the faster.
The jester, too, was silent, but his mind
uWelt upon the future ana Its hazards. He
little liked their meeting with the false
monk. Why was the Franciscan travelling
In their direction? Had others of that band
of pillagers, street fools and knave Minis
trels, formerly infesting the neighborhood
of the palace. gone that way? He did not
believe the monk would long pursue a soli-
tary pilgrimage, for varlets of that kind
have common haunts and byways The en-
counter suggested hazard ahead as well rs
the danger of pursuit from the palace. But
this apprehension of new source of peril
he kept from his companion, since go oan
they must, there was no need to dispute
her further.
The mystic silver light of the day had
now become golden; the sky, brilliant
many-colored, overlooked the vast, sullen
earth; between two roseate streamers a
whitfsh crescent unobtrusively was set
Seemingly misplaced in a sanguinary sea-
passionless 1T lay. but as the ocean of light
grew dull the crescent kindled. Over a
thick patch of pine trees in the distance
myriads of dark birds lowered and
screamed in chorus. Now they circled rest
lessly above that shaded spot; then darted
off, cloud against the sky, and returned
with renewed cawing and discord. AS the
riders approached the din abruptly ceased,
the creatures mysteriously and suddenly
vanishing into the depths of the thicket be-
low.
In the fading light. fool and jestress drew
rein, and, moved by the same purpose
looked about them. On the one hand was
the deserted, desolate plain over which lay
sullen gathering mist; on the other the
sombrous obscurity of the wood Every
where, an ominous silence, and overhead
the crescent growing in luster.
DO you see any sign of house or inn %
said the girl. peering afar down the road,
which soon lost itself in the general monot-
ony of the landscape.
None, mistress; the country seems alike
barren of farmhouse tavern"
What shall we do? 1 am full weary"
she confessed
THE forest offers the best protection. :"
he reluctantly suggested. Little as he ia
vored delay, he realized the wisdom of SPAR
ing their horses. Moreover, her appeal was
irresistible.
She gazed half obviously into that woody
depth. why not rest by the wayside-in
the moonlight
II like not the open road" he answered.
But IL you fear the darkness
For. answer she guided her horse to the
verge of the forest and lightly sprang to
the ground Upon grassy KNOLL but lit
tie way Within he spread his cloak
There, Jacqueline, is your couch" he
said.
But your she asked ITO rob YOU thus
of your cloak seems ill-comradeship."
THE cloak is yours, he returned. las
1t is, you will find it but a hard bed
1T will seem soft as down." she replied,
and seated herself on the hillock In the
gloom he could just distinguish the outline
of her figure, with her elbow on her knee,
and her hair blacker than the shadows
themselves. A long-drawn. moaning sound
coming without warning behind her, caused
~ nat is that?' she said, quickly.
The wind, Jacqueline. II is rising
AS he spoke, like monster IL entered the
forest; about them branches waved and
tossed; a friendly star seen through the
bows lost itself behind a cloud. Yet no rain
fell and the air seemed hot and dry. despite
the mists which chung TO the ground. A
crash of thunder or a fash OF lightning
would have relieved that sighine. dolor
which filed the little patch of timber with
its melancholy sounds.
Suddenly, above the plant and murmur
of the wind and forest, the low clear voice
of the girl arose: the melody was no ballad
arietta or pastoral. such as he had before
heard from her lips. but simple hymn the
came she TO know that forbidden music?
Not only to know, but TO sing IL as he had
never heard IL sung before. Sweetiy IL vi
brated, her waywardness sunk in its SWELL
ing rhythm; its melody freighted with the
treasure of her trust. As he listened he felt
she was betraying 10 him the hidden we'll
of her faith: the secret of her religion: that
she, his companion, was proclaiming herself
hereto, and, therefore, doubly an outcast
stanza. and the melody died away on
the wings of the tempest. His heart was
beating violently; he looked expecsantly
toward her. Even more gently, like a lul-
laby TO the turbulent night, the full-meas-
ured cadence OF the majestic psalm was
again heard. Then another voice deeper
fuller blended with that OF the first singer
UnwaveTing, she continued the song as
though il had been the most natural matter
he should join his voice with hers rainier
fell the harmony; then ceased altogether
a hymn destined to become interviewer
with terrible memories, the tragic massa-
ere of the Huguenots on the Inflated night
of St Bartholomew. Again prevailed the
a