The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-25

fountain; run over the grass?"
Her voice was softer than II had been;
he her words fraught with SUGGESTIONS OF r exe
their effect? At any rate, she laugheo
lightly.
but how" she resumed, surveying the
great EMBEDDING skirt, could one trip the
sward with this monstrous gown. weighted
with wreaths of silver? Is IL not but one
of the many penalties of high birth? on.
for the short skirts of the lowly, WHAT
comfort to be arrayed like Jacqueline!
And she. princess. doubtless thinks like
wise of more gorgeous apparel" His heart
kind.
"A waste of cloth in vanity as saith Mas
ter Valvini" she replied, lifting her arms
that shone with creamy softness from the
dangling folds of heavy silk. Were it not
for this courtly incumbrance. / should pro-
pose going into the fields with the hay
makers You may see them now.look!-
through the opening in the foliage.
With an expression, part resignation. part
regret, she leaned against the wind-worn
griffin which formed the arm of the bench.
testress in the ears of the dukes fool, so
faint ii became but a weak admor ition.
More and more he abandoned himself to the
pleasure of the moment.
ITO make the most of the day. the
princess had said.
How? BY denying himself the sight of her
ever-varying grace, by refusing to yield to
more boldly; through her dropping lashes
lazy light shot forth upon him. and the
shadow Of smile seemed to say: That is
better. When the mistress is indulgent
1ool should not be unbendfng. melan-
choly jester is but poor company"
And so her mood swayed his; he forgot
his resolution. his pride. and yielded to the
infatuation Of the moment But when he
endeavored to cali the weapons of his Of
flee to his aid her glance and the shadow
OF that smile left him witless. Jest, fancy
..well?' she said well, Sir Foolg''
His color shifted. Withal his half-embar-
rassment there was something graceful and
Madam he began. and stopped for
want of matter to put into words.
But If the princess was annoyed at the
new-found dizziness of her PLEASANT. her
manner did not show it.
What" she said. gently; mo news from
the court: no word of intrigue; no story of
companion, not Jester. But there! What
book have you brought?" indicating the
volume that lay upon the bench.
"Guillaume de Lorris's Romance of the
Rose. he answered more freely.
Where did we leave OFF,"
Where the hero, arriving at fountain,
Sehsld ,ow beautiful rose tree said the fool
reached to gather it"
Yes. l remember. And then, Reason and
Danger did battle with Love-
rs 1t your wish We continue?" he asked
taking the book in his hand.
Il would fain learn If he gathers his rose
Nay, sit here on the bench and I''-brightly
may look over your shoulder ever and
anon, to steal a glimpse of the pretty pic
lures"
Unquestioningly. he obeyed her, the book,
letters. red, gold, many-hued dacing be-
fore them. Love in crimson, the five silver
shafts of Cupid the Tower Of Jealousy a
browning fortress, the rose, incentive for
endless striving and endeavor--all f1oatsd
by on the creamy parchment leaves. So
interested was she in these wondrous pages,
executed with such precision and perfec-
| graceful turn and fancy In initial letter
and tailpiece. she seemed to him for the
moment rather some simple lowly maiden
than proud princess of the realm.
How much splendor the penman has
shown! she murmured, her breath on his
cheek. It's more beautiful than the Life
of Saint Agnes Is not that figure we'll
believe. in monkish attire
Reason, or Duty, ever partakes Of the
monastery" he retorted with short. mirth-
DUTY; obediencev' she broke in do I
| not know them? Please turn the page"
Reaching over, she herself did so, her
fingers touching his, her bosom Just brush
ing his shoulder; and then she flushed, for it
was Venus's self the page revealed, stand
| ing on grassy bank and showing Love the
rose Around the queen Of beauty fioated
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, Mos
zealously had the mOnk-artist executed the
lovely lady, as though some heart-dream
flowed from the ink on his pen, every line
| exact, each feature radiantly shown. Some
this the fair temptation that had assailed
his fancy; such vision of ST. Anthony
wrestled with in the srievous 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
retaliation of vellum of monkish dream.
From head TO foot the sunlight bathed the
princess. glistening in her hair until II
was alive with light; Even when he gazed
into her blue eyes he was conscious of a
| more flaming glory than lay I'm the heavens
of their depths; splendent maze that shed
a brightness around her
"Oh, princess, he said wildly ''I know
what the King hath told you. Why YOU
| wear the monarch's ringi''
The monarch's ring!' she repeated as
"Why-how know you-ah. Jacqueline-"
And ring signifieth consent. You will
fulfill the Kings desire?'
THE Kings desire?" she replied mechan-
ically. us 1t not the will of God?"
But your own hearth" he cried holding
| 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 did to-
morrow seem far of, and the present be-
come her great concern? Was hers the phil
| that the sweets Of admiration should be
| gathered on the moment? That a cry of
| pain from worshiping heart. however low
| ly, was hOneyed flattery to loves vOtaries ?
AS the jester looked at her sudden chill
| seized his breast. Jacqueline's knocking
laughter rang in his ears. Ask her the rest
yourself. most Unsophistcated Foolr'
Then you will obey the King?" he per-
| sisted DULY.
why" she answered. smiling and bend
| Ing nearer. will you spoil the day?''
You would give yourself to a man.
! whether or not you loved him.
frown gathered on the princess's brow
| but she stopped, herself picked I'D the book
| he had dropped. brushed the earth from II
and seated herself upon the bench Her
manner was quiet resolute; her action a re-
Duke to the forward fool.
'Will 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 exacting
| mist-ess? she asked. more gently check
| ing the implied reproach
| ''Exacting!" he repeated
What them" she said. half sadly.
Nothing" he answered
But in his mind Jacqueline's scornful
| words reiterated themselves: Think Won
| the princess will wear the Willow"
Taking the book he opened IL at random
| mechanically sinking at her feet The quest
| the idle quest Was IL but an awakening
| So far lay the branch above his reachi His
| voice rose and fell with the mystic rhythm
| of the meter, now dwelling on death and
| danger the shortness of life, the sweetness
Of passion: then telling the pleasure of the
| dance
| Lower fell the princesss hand Until IL
| touched the readers head; touched and lin
| gered. Before the fools eyes the letters 81
4 a hs.Al or<1a 81 /,