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

"Assuredly, my lord; for then the boar
Is In his element; no matter how he
rushes, his tusks strike yielding flesh.
why should we fight at all-at presents"
cautiously ventured the noble, with fur
ther hesitation. mot that I doubt |
could easily crush you"-extending his
muscular arms-''but you might prick me,
and, Just now, discretion may be the bet
ter part Of valor. Ia duke, engaged to
we'd princess, have much to lose; you,
nothing! A FOOLS stroke might kill a
king
COR a knave, my lord!' added the
PLEASANT.
"Or a knave, sirrah!' Numbered the
duke, the veins starting out on his fore
head.
The Jester half drew his dagger: his
quiet confidence and glittering eye i'm
pressed even his antagonist, Injured to
scenes Of violence and strife.
rs 1t truce, most noble Lord?' said
the fool. significantly. "a truce wherein
we may call black, black; and white,
white! A truce which may be broken
by either Of US, with due warning to the
other?"
Knitting his brow, the noble stood mo-
tionless, deeply bordering, his headlong
passion evidently at combat with his
Judgment; then his face cleared hard
brusque laugh burst from his lips and he
massive oak table near the door,
$50 be it!'' he assented, with a more
open look.
"a truce-without any rushes from the
boar?" &,& FL g, -.... ...4-.
Fool! Does not my word sufflce?'
contemptuously retorted the duke.
YES; for altho you are-what you are
you have been a soldier, and would moi
break a truce. ~>l"ts 5.sts ~. ss-..- a.. * s.-.
oofn
is, indeed, hattering!' satirically re-
marked the kings guest. seating himself
in a great chair which brought him face
to face with the fool and yet commanded
the door, the intruder's only means Of re-
treat. u s@as Er'=
Pardon me, the dukes Jester, you
mean?" ..r...-@ -:
Eyes; mine!" .2
"a distinction with difference!' re-
torted the fool. 1T Is quite true I am the
dukes Jester; 1t Is equally untrue I an
yours. Therefore, we reach the conclu-
sion that you and the duke are two differ
ent persons. Plainly, not being the duke
you are an imposter. Have You any fault
to find with my reasoning?" T.
ION the contrary" answered the other
with no sign Of anger or surprise, "youl
reasoning Is all that could be desired
Why should I deny what you already
know? I was aware, Of course, that yor
knew, when I first learned his jester was
in the castle. Frankly, am not the duke
to your ST.. =
But with Francis and the court?" sug.
gested the fool, uplifting his brows.
Il am the duke--and such renainl Yol
understand"
Perfectly, my lord replied the Jester
struggling his shoulders. But since
am not the king, nor one Of the courtiers
whom, for the time being, have I tn
honor of addressing? But, perhaps, an
erinquisitive.
mot at ALL" said the other with moc]
ceremony. you are a whimsical fellow
besides, am taken with a man who stand
near death without f1inching. To tell yo
the truth, our truce is somewhat to m
| liking. There are few men who woul
have dared what you have tonight An
| altho you're only a fool-will you drin
with me from this bottle on the table here
I'm tired Of cerem onies Of rank and Woul
clink a glass in private with a merry fel
low. What say your
| And leaning over, he filled two larg
goblets with the rich beverage from
great flask placed on the stand for hi
conviviality, but behind his jovial, fire
manner, that Of trooper in his cup!
cleaned a furtive, guarded look, as tn
l he were studying and testing his man.
I'm for: a free life; some fighting; Blu
snug walls around for companionship,
he continued. Look at my soldiers now
| roistering, love- making! Charles? Fran
els? Not one Of the troop would 1eav
me for emperor or king! Not one br
would follow ,me-where ambition leads!
Holding up the glass, he looked into tn
depts of the thick burgundy. "Why,
likely fellow like you should carry
cleaning blade, not a wooden sword.
know your duke-a man Of lineage