The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-20

bravely
Yes, SIRE" she said
"A new emotion leaped to rhe dukes facs
as ne heard her lips thus fearlessly confirm
, the answer Of her eyes And so before the
monarch-in that court which Marguerite
, troth. Fe '
Something in their manner, however
puLzled the observant King; an exaltation
perhaps uncalled for by the simple telling
OF secret understanding between them;
tnst rapid Interchange Of glances; that sig
nlncance of manner when the duke stepped
Ma foi,'' he exclaimed sharply. ..This Is
somewhat abrupt. How long. my lord. since
sne promised TO be your wife,
a,,s since your Majesty spoke" returned the
duke, TRANQUILITY
And before that?"l
Before? I only knew that loved her,
And now you know, for the first time.
mat she loves your added the King, dryly.
out the Emperor-are you not presumng
overmuch that he will give his consent?
| Or think you'-with fine irony-'that mar
| riages OF state are made in heaven?''
II was once my privilege sire. so to serve
he bsde % asa as hi s, Majesty thought that
would. Heretofore have had nothing to
ask; now, everything"
Some Of the asperity faded from Francis's
glance. Inc situation appealed to his strong
penchant for merry piaisanterie Besides
| such was his overweening pride-to hear a
woman confess she cared for another damp
| IL. None but himself could be his parallel"
the royal lover could brook no rival Had
she merely e desired to marry the former fool
| husband-but to love him!
ei ni'er al All she was an audacious slip of
i Es da TX proved bold gypsy; by nature.
intended Tor the motley-yes the Duchesse
dEtampes was right. Then he liked not her
parentage; she was constant reminder of
one VINO had been like to make vacant the
branch, the proud house of Orleans. More
over, whispered avarice, he would save the
castle for himself; stately and right royal
possession. He had, indeed been oyergener-
Gus in proffering 1t. Love- said reason. was
unstable, fitting: woman a will-o' -the-wisp.
but a castle-its noble solidity would endure.
King that the duke was a subject of his
good brother. the Emperor and a rich. DOW
erful noble withal So, with such grace as
ne could command Francis greeted one
wnom ne preferred to regard as an ally
rather than an enemy
Truly. my lord" he said, not discour
teously, masking in courtly. manner his
personal dislike for him whose sharp criti
cism he once had felt in Fools Hall. "a
nimble-w1tted jester was lost when YOU re-
sumed the dignity. of your position. But"
moved him, this lady has appeared some
what unexpectedly; the house of Friedwald
is not an inconseQuential one"
what mean you, sire?" asked the Young
man. as the King paused.
Francis studied him shrewdly. why" he
replied at length, hesitatingly, there is that
certain lands and a castle long since right, |
ly conf1scated" ,
Your Majesty, there is another castle, |
and lands to spare in a distant country
returned the duke quickly. These win |
suffice"
"As you WILL" said the King in livelier |
omces-since you have made us sponsor of |
your fortunes
With which well-covered confession of his |
own defeat, Francis strobe away AS he |
turned, however. he caught the smile of the
ciOusly.
Your dress becomes ro,, ,,o,,
said. anne e
She glanced down at herself demurelv: her
iashes yelled a sudden CLEAN of triumph.
gown
II was right" murmured Triboulet joy-
fully, as he saw King and favorite walking
together. mo one will ever replace the
~
Silent. hand in hand. the duke and the
1ocuiatrix stood upon the balcony. Below |
{nem lay the earth. wrapped in hazy light.
benlnd them, the court with it's glamour
Have / done WELL Jacqueline, to answer
the King as 1 have done?" he said finally.
hare - you gu, content to resign allforever-
Into new world" she interrupted
Once ! asked you to take me, but YOU
hesitated, and were like to leave me behind
But now it's 1 who ask" he answered.
b. And I-who hesitate?" looking out over
The valley, where the shadow of a cloud
crossed the land.
DO you hesitate. Jacquelne?"
She turned. About her lips trembled the
I'D fleeting smile.
What woman knows her mind, Sir Fool? |
Yet if it were not So" 9
If 1t were not SOP he said eagerly.
Her eyes became grave on a sudden "I .
night believe L had been of one mind
ong."
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT estressi-"
He caught her suddenly in her arms. his -,
inc young features aglow This then was
he goal of his desires; a goal of delight far.
ar beyond all youthful dreams or early
maginings. With dropping eyelids, She
TODD In his embrace; she, once so proud. SO
elf-willed. He drew her closer-kissed her
air!-the rose!-
She. raised her head, and-sweeter still
e kissed her lips.
Across the valley the shadow receded: 6
anished. In the full glory of nightly sr.en- L
or lay the earth, and as the mystic radi- :.
nee lighted up a world of beauty, it seemed !.
last they beheld their world: the light
1ore beautiful for the shade and the purple |
lists.
1.-THE End.1