The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-23
A!k>uNpER& hxa
TTHE ROSE y
o. BIZ FREDERIC S. ISFiAM. V
" [coPYRoH coMPASr.l

CHAPTER III.
A GIFT FOR THE DUKE.

A GIFT FOR THE DUKE.
The sun and the breeze contended with
the mist, intrenched in the stronghold OF
the valley. From the east the red orb be-
gan its attack; out of the west rode the
swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished. the
wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or
hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage
on the hillside. Soon the conquering light
brightly illumined a medieval castle COM
handing the surrounding country; the VIC
torious breeze whispered loudly at Its
gloomy easements. A great Norman struc-
ture. somber, austere, it was. however
frightened with many modern features that
threatened gradually to sap much of its
ancient majesty.
Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered
"'Tis barbaric! What lover would sigh be-
meath walls thirty feet thick! And the
portcullis. Away with it, Summon my
Italian painters to adorn the walls. We
may yet make habitable these legacies from
the savage, brutal past"
So the mighty walls, once set In COM
parative wilderness, a tangle of thicket ano
underbrush, now arose from garden, lawn
and park. where even the deer were no
longer shy, and the water, propelled by ar
tificial power. shot upward in jets.
Seated at a window which overlooked this
sylvan aspect, modified If not fashioned by
man, a young woman with seeming con-
scientiousness, told her beads. The apart
ment, though richly furnished. was in
keeping with the devout character of its
fair mistress A brush or aspersorium,
used for sprinkling holy water. was leaning
against the wall. Upon table lay an open
psalter. with it's long hanging cover and a
ball at the extremity of the forel. Behind
two tall candlesticks stood an altar-table
which, being unfolded, revealed three COM
partments, each with picture, painted by
Andrea del Sarto. the once honored guest
of Francis.
The Princess Louise, cousin OF Francis's
former Queen Claude, had been reared with
rigid strictness. although provided with
various preceptors who had made her more
or less proficient In the profane letters
as they were called, Latin, Greek. theology
and philosophy. The fame Of her beauty
had gone abroad; her hand had been often
sought, but the obdurate King had stead
tasty refused to sanction her betrothal
until Charles the Emperor himself pro-
posed union between the fair ward OF
the French monarch and one of his mobiles
the young Duke of Friedwald. To this
Francis had assented, for he calculated
upon thus drawing to his interests one OF
his rivals most chivalrous knights, while
far-reaching Charles believed he could not
only retain the duke, but add to his own
court the lovely and learned ward OF the
King.
D. &c dszo ant -
puppets were wiiling-as puppets must
needs be. Indeed, the duke was seriously
enamored Of the princess, whose portrait
he had seen in miniature, and had himself
importuned the Emperor to intercede with
Francis, knowing that the only way to the
lady's hand was through the good Offices
of him who aspired to the mastery Of all
Europe. If not the world.
Charles, unwilling to disoblige one whose
principality was the. most powerful of the
Austrian provinces he sought to absorb In
his scheme for the unifcation Of all ma
tons, offered no demur to a request fraught
with advantage to himself Besides, cold
and calculating though he was, the EN-
peror entertained a certain affection for the
duke, who on one occasion. when Charles
had been sore beset by the troops Of Soly-
man, had extricated his royal leader from
the alternative of ignominious capture OF
an untimely end. Accordingly, a formal
friendship to the King, was dispatched by
the Emperor. When Francis, with some
misgiving, ARISING from experience with
womankind. laid the matter before Louise
she, to his surprise, proved her devotion
and loyalty by her entire submissiveness,
and the King. kissing her hand. generously
vowed the wedding festivities should be
worthy of her beauty and fealty.
Was she thinking of that scene now and
the many messages which had subsequent
ly passed between her distant lover and
herself, as the white fingers ceased to tell
the beads? Was she questioning fate and
the future when the rosary fell from her
hand and the clinking of the great glass
beads on the hard floor aroused her from
a reverie? Languidly she rose, crossed the
room toward low dressing table, when at
the same time, admitting the jestress JAG
queline, whose long, flowing gown of dark
green bore no distinguishing mark Of the
motley she had assumed the night before
The dreamy, almost lethargic. gaze of the
princess rested for a moment upon the ar
dent eyes of the maid who stood motionless
before her.
''The dukes jester who arrived last night
awaits your pleasure without" said the
girl.
bid him enter. Stay. The fillet for my
hair. Seems he a merry fellow?'
80 merry, madam, he mimicked the
King last night in Fools Hall, beat Tribou-
let appointed knaves in jest to high offices,
and had been hanged for his forwardness
but that he narrowly saved his neck by a
slender device.
What; all that in so short timer ex-
claimed the princess. "A most presump-
tuous rogue.'
THE King, madam, was behind the tap
estry and heard 1t all; his appointment OF
Thony as treasurer, because he is apt at
palming money; Brusquet, governor OF
Guienne, since he governs his own home
so i'll; and Villot admiral Of the fleet, that
ne might sail away and leave his pretty
wife behind him.
I'll warrant me the story Is known to
the entire court ere this" laughed the lady.
won't Madame dEtaile be in a temper,
And the admiral when he hears Of it-on
the high seas The King was eavesdrop-
ping. you say, and yet spared the jester
He must bear charmed life"
He dubbed himself the dukes gift, mad
am, and boldly claimed privilege under the
poor cloak of hospitality"
Surely" murmured the princess, there
will be no lack of entertainment with this
knave under the same roof Too much
entertainment, L fear me. Well, admit the
bold fellow
Crossing to the door, the maid pushed ii
back ana the figure of the jester passed