The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-24

broke off a flower and regarded 1t ms
chevously. why should people hide that
which is so sweet and fragrant? she re-
marked. and set the rose in her hair
''Hide?'' he said, looking at the mower
but not at her. ~
II trust you kept the rose. Monsieur Dip
lomat?" she spoke 'up,t suddenly, her eA-
preston most serious.
What rose?" he asked, now become
restless beneath her cutting tongue ,,
What rose. AS If you did not know.
How innocent you look, How many roses
are there in the world? A thousand? Or only
one? What rose? Her rose, Of course Have
you got it? l hope so-for the duke Is COM
ing and might ask for ii
This, then was the information she had
taken such a roundabout way to communl-
cate, 1t was to this end she had purposely
led the conversation by adroit stages, study
ing him gaily, impatiently or maliciously,
she marked the effect of her words upon
him. All alive, she stepped back laugnlhsf;
elate, she put her arms about a branch or
the rose bush and drew score or roses TO
her bosom, as though she were witch, i'm
pervious to thorns. He had risen-yes. there
was no doubt about it.-but her sunny face
was turned to the flowers. His countenance
became at once puzzled and thoughtfui.
The duke-coming-" lie condescended to
ask for information now.
Sidewise she gazed at him. unreienting
Docs the flower become me?" she asked.
1.-The duke-coming-'' he repeated.
How impolite To refuse me compii-
ment.' she flashed.
The next moment he was by her side. and
had taken her arm, almost roughly.
Speak OUT he cried; Some one is comins'
You hurt me-" she exclaimed, angrfiy
He loosened his grasp.
What duke?" she answered. scornfuiiy.
Her duke! Your duke! The Emperor s
dukei''
THE Duke of Friedwald?" he asked.
"Of course. The princess's fiance; bride
grOom-to-be; future husband, lord and mas
ter" she explained, with indubious and posi-
tive iteration.
But the time-set for the wedding-has
not expired he protested with what she
thought seemed suspicion that she was
playing with him.
THAT is easily answered" she said.
cheerfully. 1.-The duke it seems, has become
more and more enamored Finally his pas
sion has so grown and grown he fears to let
ii grow any more, and, as the only way out
of the difficulty, petitioned the King to cur
of the constantly augmenting suspense. To
which his most gracious Majesty, having
been a lover himself ION divers occasions)
by the qualms he has himself experienced,
has seen generously fit to cut off a few
weeks of waiting and set the wedding for
the near future"
How know you thiS?" he demanded,
sharply, striding to and fro.
This morning the princess sent me with
message to the Countess d'Etampes. You
know her? You have heard? She has sue
ceeded the Countess of Chateaubriant Well,
the King was with her-not the Countess of
Chateubriant. but the other one. / mean.
They left poor me to await his Majesty S
pleasure, and, as the Countess d Etampes
has but newly succeeded to her present ex-
allied position and the King has not yet dis
covered her many imperfections, / should
| certainly have fallen asleep for WEAKNESS
| had / not CHANGED TO overhear portions of
| their conversation. The Countess d'Etam-
pes, it seemed. was very angry. Your Maj
| But. my dear, give me time, pleaded the
King. Pack her off at once she demand
| ed raising her voice. Send her to her hus-
band. That's where she belongs. Think
| of him. poor fellow! Laughing. his Maj
esty capitulated We'll, well, 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 narration.
IAN 1 not to tell it in my own way?''
| she returned. What manners you have.
First you pinch my arm until must needs
fey out then hafS you ask ssn and IN
interrupt he muttered: You might
| have told a dozen tales What care 1 for
| the Kings Jezebels?
II see plainly If you don't die one way you
"'Tis usually the case. But go on with
your story"
IF 1 cannot tell it in my own way"
"Tell it as you will, If your way be as slow
| as your tongue is sharp he answered. sui
Sharp! Jezebels! You deserve not to
hear, but-the King, it seems, had laid
the dukes request before the Countess
| dEtampes. Here is an impatient sutton,
he said gaily. How shall we cure his pas
| sion?' BY marrying him. bithely answered
| this light-of-love Ills a medicine that
never faisr His Majesty frowned; / could
not see him, but felt sure of it from his
tone, for, although he neglects the Queen,
yet, to some degree, is mindful of her dig
nifty. Marriage is holy state, madam,
he replied severely. There's no doubt about
| 1t, Francis. returned the lady, and there
fore is the antidote to passion. But man
bent on matrimony is like child that
wants toy. Better give ii to him at once
aside!' Nay, madam he said reprov-
ingly. the duke shall have his wish. but for
no such reason What reason theH?' quoth
| She petulantly. Because thou hast shown
| me love is monarch stronger than any
king and that We are but as slaves in its
hands, he exclaimed, passionately. know
], shall like the duke. cried she. since he is
| the cause of that pretty speech
! "At this point, not daring to listen longer,
1 coughed; there was silence. Then the
| countess herself appeared at the door and
I could command. 1 delivered my message.
| left the house and was hurrying through
| the garden where chance threw you in my
way; And now you have 1T all, sir"
1.-The princess-has she heard the King has
received letter from the dube. and that
| his Majesty has changed the wedding date %
| The jester spoke slowly, but Jacqueline
| was assured that beneath his deliberate
manner surged deep and conflicting emo
lions; that his calmness was no more than
| a mask to conceal his pain. Had he given
utterance to the feeling that beset him, had
he betrayed more than a suggestion of the
| passion. rage or grief which struggles for
| mastery beneath a forced sloth of sensi-
bility she would have once more
Knocked him with laughter. But perhaps
| his very quiescence inclined her to look
| upon him with grain of sympathy or COM
| passion, for her tones were now grave
| 1.-The princess knows; has heard all from
| Will she consent? What else can she do /?
| IT'S the monarch who commands, we who
obey,'
"ls the court. Them only mart, a guild
hall?" he exclaimed. "A woman-eyen a
| princess-should be won, not exchanged"
Her lashes dropped. In her gaze shone
| once more thei ronical amusement. Why
she said, from what wilds or forests have
| you come? The heart follows where the
wear the Willow" she laughed. How well
| you know women"
do you mean that She"
81 mean that her welfare is I'm strong
| hands; that there will be few greater I'm all
| the land: none more honoredi The dukes
principality is vast-but here. comes the
] princess" The hound sprang 10 his feet and
| ran gamboling down the path ASK her
! the rest yourself, most unsophisticated fool,
what handsome bride she will make for
the dukek,'
ITO be Continued Tomorrow
In Fly Time.
Il