The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-30
Under The R0,e
By FREDERIC S. .ISHAM,
Author Of "7hs Strolsrs"
Copyright Company
y FREDERIC s. ISHAM,

L
book. illumined, cleaning in the sun
shine; the letters. red. gold, many-hued,
dancing before them. Love In crimson,
| the five silver shafts of Cupid, the Tower
of Jealousy, frowning fortress the
Rose, incentive for endless striving and
! endeavor-all foated by on the creamy
| parchment leaves. So interested was she
In these wondrous pages, executed with
! such precision and perfection, with mar
| ginal adornment, and many graceful
| turn and fancy in initial letter and tail
! piece, she seemed to him for the moment
| rather some simple lowly maiden than a
| proud princess Of the realm.
| How much splendor the penman has
| shown!" she murmured, her breath on
his cheek. "'Tis more beautiful than the
| Life of Saint Agnes Is not that figure
| well done? hard, austere old man;
| Reason, I believe, In monkish attire"
| Reason, or Duty. ever partakes OF the
monastery" he retorted with short,
mirthless laugh.
| DUTY; obedience!" she broke in DO
| not know them Please turn the page"
| Reaching over, she herself did SO, her
fingers touching his, her bosom just
brushing his shoulder; and then she
flushed, for it was Venus self the page
revealed, standing on a grassy bank and
showing Love the rose Around the queen
of beauty f1oated a silver gauze; her hair
was indicated by threads Of gold tossed
luXuriantly about her; upon the shoulder
of Love rested her hand. encouraging him
| In his quest. Most zealously had the
| monk artist executed the lovely lady,
as tho some heart dream flowed from the
| ink on his pen, every line exact each
feature radiantly shown. Some youthful
| anchorite, perhaps, was he and this the
fair temptation that had assaled his
fancy; such a vision as ST. Anthony
wrestled with in the grievous solitude of
! his hermit cell.
From the book and the picture, the
jester, feeling the princess draw back
| impulsively. dared look up, and, looking
up, could not look down from a loneliness
| SURPRISING the ideaization on vellum of
monkish dream. From head to foot, the
sunlight bathed the princess, glistening in
her hair until 1t was alive with light Even
when he gazed into her blue eyes he was
conscious OF a more flaming glory than
lay IN the heavens of their depths; a
! splendent maze that shed a brightness
around her.
oh, princess" he said wildly, II know
what the king hath told you! Why you
| wear the monarchs rng!''
The monarchs ring!" she repeated, as
recalled suddenly from wandering
thought. 'Why-hoW know you-ah
| Jacqueline-"
And a ring signifeth consent You will
fulfil the kings desire?"
The kings desire?' she replied,
mechanically. Is it not the will Of God?'
| But your own hearth" he cried, hold
ing her with his eager gaze.
She laid her hand on his shoulder: her
eyes answered his. Did she not realize
the tragedy the future held for him? Or
dld tomorrow seem far off, and the pres
emit become her greater concern? Was
hers the philosophy of Marguerite's code
which taught that the sweets of admira-
ton should be gathered on the moment?
That cry Of pain from a worshipping
heart, however lowly. was honeyed fiat
terry to Loves votaries? AS the Jester
looked at her sudden chill seized his
| breast. Jacquelines mockine laughter
rang IN his ears. ASK her the rest your
SELF most Unsophisticated FOOL"
! Then you will obey the king?' he per-
sisted, duly.
Why" she answered smiling and
bending nearer. will you spoil the day?"
You would give yourself to man,
| whether or not you loved him %
A froWn gathered on the princess
brow. but she stopped, herself picked up
the DOCK he had dropped brushed the
earth from 1t and seated herself upon the
pen beEcn. her manner was quiet, resolute;
her action, rebuke to the forward fool
) VIII you not read?" she said. with
an inscrutable look
True, he exclaimed, rising quickly, II
was sent to amuse-"
And you have found me too exact
rs iesS 5 she asked, more gently.
checking the implied reproach.
Exacting!" he repeated.
What then?" she said half sadly.
Nothing" he answered.
| But IN his mind Jacuueline's scornf,,l
words reiterated themselves: Think voa,
the princess will wear the willow?"
Iak1ng the book, he opened it at ran
dom, mechanically sinking at her feet.
Inc quest. the idle quest! Was it but
an awakening? So far lay the branch
ABOVE his reach! His voice rose and fell
Win the mystic rhythm OF the meter
now dwelling on death and danger. the
shortness Of life, the sweetness OF mas
sion; then telling the pleasures OF the
dance. 80
Lower fell the princess hand until It
touched the readers head touched and
fingered. Before the fools eyes the let
ters OF the book became blurred and then
faded away. Doubt misgiving, fear, van
lshed on the moment The flower she had
given him seemed to burn on his heart.
He forgot the decree Of the king; her
|equivocation; the unanswered question.
Passionately he thrust his hand into his
doublet. 80
THE rose and love are one!'' he cried.
"The rose is"
Pardon me, madam" said a voice. and
Jacqueline, clear-eyed, calm, stood before
them; the fan was not in the kings
lantechamber, or should have been here
sooner. I trust you have not been put
out for want Of lt?''
! Not at all. Jacqueline," returned her
mistress, with a natural, tranquil move