The Minneapolis journal., 1903-09-29
Unde,r The Rose
By FREDERIC S. IsHAM,
Author Of "Ths Strollers.
Copyright. 1908. by Bowen Merrill Company.

/ where she belongs Think of him, poor
| fellow!' Laughing, his majesty capitu-
lated Well, we'll. back to her castle
goes the Countess Of Chateaubriant!'
| Thereupon-''
| But the duke, Mistress interrupted
the jester who had become more and
more impatient during the prolonged mar
ration. 1.-The duke?"
"Am / not to tell it in my own way?"
she returned. What manners you have!
First, you pinch my arm until must
needs cry out. Then you ask a question
and interrupt me before I can answer"
interrupt" he muttered You might
| have told a dozen tales. What care for
| the kings Jezebels?"
"Jezebels! she repeated, in mock hor-
ror. Il see plainly. If you don't die one
way. you will another
'Tis usually the case. But so on with
your story"
IF I cannot tell it in my own way
| "Tell it as YOU will, If you way be
as slow as your tongue is sharp!' he an
swered sullenly.
Sharp! Jezebels! You deserve not to
hear, but-the king, it seems, had laid
! the dukes request before the Countess
d dEtampes. Here Is an impatient suitor,
he said gaily. How shall we cure his
passions" BY marrying him. blithely an
swered this light -of-love. 'Tis medi-
cine that never fails' His majesty
frowned; I could not see him, but felt
sure of it from his tone, for altho he
neglects the queen, yet, to some degree,
in mindful Of her dignity. Marriage ia
holy state, madam he replied severely.
There's no doubt about it, Francis re-
turned the lady, and therefore is the anti
dote to passion. But man bent on mat
rinony is like child that wants toy.
Better give it to him at once-the play
Inc will fhn h@ +Ir~xr f1af
Nay, madam he said reprovingly, the
duke shall have his wish but for no such
| reason What reason then?' quoth she,
petulantly. Because thou hast shown me
| love Is a monarch stronger than any king
| and that we are but as slaves in It's
| hands! he exclaimed, passionately. ]
| know I, shall like the duke she cried.
| since he Is the cause Of that pretty
| speech.
"At this point, not daring to listen
longer. coughed; there was silence; then
the countess herself appeared at the door
and looked at me sharply. With such
grace as T could command, delivered my
| message, left the house and was hurrying
thru the garden when chance threw you
| in my way. And now you have 1t all,
sir"
1.-THE princess-has she heard the king
has received a letter from the duke. and
| that his majesty has changed the wed
| ding date3
The jester spoke slowly, but Jacqueline
was assured that beneath his deliberate
manner surged deep and conflicting emo
tions; that his calmness was no more
than mask to conceal his pain Had he
given utterance to the feeling that beset
him, had he betrayed more than sug-
gestion Of the passion rage or grief which
struggles for mastery beneath forced
sloth of sensibility, she would have once
more Knocked him with laughter. But per-
haps his very quiescence inclined her to
look upon him with grain Of sympathy
or compassion, for her tones were now
grave.
1.-THE princess knows; has heard all
from the king. Not long since he sent for
her. VIII she consent? What else can
she do? IT'S the monarch, who com
mands: we who obey -ssyTfr a=r
.1s the court then only a mart, guild
hall?'' he exclaimed. "A woman-even a
princess - should be won, not = ex-
changed"
Her lashes dropped; in her gaze shone
once more the ironical amusement
Why" she said, from what wilds, OF
forests, have you come? The heart follows
where the trader lists. Think you the
princess will wear the willow?" she
laughed How we'll you know women"
| do you mean that She"
II mean that her welfare Is In strong
hands; that there win be few greater ir
all the land; none more honored. The
dukes principality Is vast-but here
1 comes the princess The hound sprane
| to his feet and ran Sanlboltng down the
path. ASK her the rest yourself, most
unsophisticated fool. Ah,''-with touch
she could not resist-"what handsome
bride she will make for the duke"