The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03

URN out these torch
bearers, human candle
00 sticks and Wallets de
chambre. and I'll get me
to bed" commanded the
duke, standing in the
center of his room, and
me trooper with the fierce red mus
taches waved a swarm of pages, cup
bearers and attendants from the door and
closed it. How are the men quartered.
JOHANNA"
With all the creature comforts, my
lord" answered the soldier. 1.-THE king
E, hath dressed them like popinjays; they
drink overmuch, dice, and run after the
maids, but otherwise are well behaved"
Drink; dice; run after the maids
said the noble, gazing thoughtfully down.
ward. Hold them in check, Johann, as
tho we were in campaign" .-
Yes, my lord" returned the man, star
ing impassively before him.
And especially keep them from the
kitchen wenches. There's more danger
In these femmes de chambre, laundresses
and scullery Cinderelas than In a column
of glittering steel. Remember no court
Of love in the sculery. Now go! Yet
stay, Johann" he added suddenly. "This
fool Of ours is a bold fellow. Look to
him well!'
saluting respectfully, an expression of
quick intelligence on his florid features,
the trooper backed out Of the room. With
his hands behind him, his shoulders bent
forward, the duke long pondered, his look,
keen and discerning; his perspicacity
clear, in spite Of Francis wine or the
intoxication Of the princess eyes. Altho
the mobiles glance seemed bent on va
cancy, 1t was himself as we'll as others he
was studying; Weighing the memorable
events Of the evening; recalling to mind
every word with the princess; reviewing
her features. the softening Of her cold
disdain; now mentally distrustful because
she was a woman, again confident he al
ready dominated the citadel Of her heart
But a newl element had entered into
the field; an element unforseen-the jes-
ter!-and, altho not attaching great i'm
tance to this possible source Of hazard in
his plans for the future, the duke was
too good a soldier to disregard any risk
however slight. In love and battle every
peril should be avoided; every vulner.
able point made impregnable Besides
the fool was audacious, foolhardy: hi!
language of covert mockery and quicl
wit proved him an Intelligent antagonist
who might become a desperate one.
"a woman and fool" muttered tn,
duke, striding with quick step across hi
chamber, "are two uncertain quantities
The one should be subjected; the othe
removed
wherein shone a. cross Of silver, set will
amethysts and turquoise, his rugged fac,
lighted by the uncertain pickering of tn
candles.
"Removed!' he repeated, contempla
lively. And She
The clear tinkling Of a bell broke fl
upon his cogitation faint, musica
sound that seemed at his very elbow. H
wheeled about abruptly saw nothing saw
the mysterious shadows Of the curtains
the Pickering lamps, the dark outline o
the canopy Of the great bed. Instinctivel
he. knew he was not alone, and yet hi
gaze, rapidly sweeping the apartment
failed to perceive an Intruder.
Again the tinkling, a low laugh, and
turning sharply toward an alcove iron
whence the sounds came, the duke, thr
the half-light and trailing, sombrou
shadows of it's entrance, perceived figur
in chair From candle set in spiked
enameed stick, yellow glimmering tina