The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-27

"who alone is the culprit? Whose heart
alone is filled with umbrage, hatred pique?
''Triboulet! Triboulet the traitor!" sud
child.
Yes; Triboulet, the traitorl' exclaimed
| the fool. pointing the wand OF folly at the
Even Francis's offended face relaxed:
Positively shall never hang this fellow,
he said grimly to Marguerite.
Before this tribunal of ladies whose
| beauty and learning he has outraged by his
| disaffection and spleen, L summon him for
| trial. continued the dukes jester. Tri-
boulet, arise! Ilustrious ladies OF the Court
| Of Love. the offender is in your hands
"A little monster!" spoke up Diane with
| a gesture of aversion, real or affected.
He is certainly somewhat reprehensible,"
added the Queen of Navarro. whose tender
AN unconscionable rogue murmured
the bishop. complacently clasping his fat
| fingers before him.
the tribunal" went on the PLEASANT of the
duke. THE church hath accommodated
him and the Court OF Love"
will Danish him" exclaimed the
countess mirthfully. regarding the captious
monarch with mock defiance.
YES Danish him; turn him out" echoed
But, your Majesty demonstrated the
alarmed Triboulet, turning to the monarch
whose favor he had that day enjoyed
sternly Here Venus rules!" And he gal
lantly inclined to the countess.
Venus at whom he scoffs!' broke in
chair with her hands on her hips.
You witch!-you sorceress!-it was you
| who he Kissed with yenomous glance.
Hear him." exclaimed the girl, lightly.
He calls me NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
forsooth. 1 am woman!"
"A woman-a devilr muttered Triboulet
between his closed teeth.
"And now" she cried. rising impetuously,
he says that women are devils! What
shall we do with him?"
'Pelt him out''
With peals of merriment and triumphant
shouts, the court, of one accord, directed
fusillade of fruits, nuts and other viands at
the head and person of the raging and
hapless buffoon, the countess herself, apple
in hand-Eve bent upon vengeance-leading
in the assault. The other tables responded
with crossfire, and heavier articles sue
ceeded lighter, until after having endured
the continuous attach for a few moments as
best he might the unlucky dwarf raised his
arms above his head and fairly fed from
the hall. leaving behind in his haste a bag
pipe and his wooden sword.
$50 may all traitors be punishedr' said
the bishop unctuously, as he reached for
dish of CONNECTIONS that had escaped the
fair hands in search of ammunition.
WELL" laughed the Countess d'Etampes,
"if we have the support Of the church."
II will confess you myself, madam" gal
lantly retorted the bishop.
And all the Court of Lover" asked Mar
guerite.
"Ah, your Highness-all?-I am old-in
need of rest-but with an assistant or
two"
Assistant or twor' interrupted Cathar-
inc. imperiously. Would the task be SO
great?"
NAY" with gentle expcstulation-'but
you-members of the court-are many; not
your sins.
II suppose" whispered Jacqueline to the
dukes fool, when the attention of the COM
pany was thus withdrawn from the TESTERS
end of the table. you think yourself in fine
favor now?"
yes" he answered, absently: thanks
to your suggestion"
MY suggestion she repeated, scorn-
fully. 81 gave you none.
"Oh. that" she replied, picking at a
bunch of grapes. was to defend my sex.
not you"
but your warning for me to laugh?"
why" she returned demurely twas
to see you go more CALAMITY to your execu-
ton. Advocating a grape-"that is reason
made few more enemies to-night-the
duke-the-"
Name them not. fair Jacqueline." he re-
"True; you'll soon learn for yourself" she
answered sharply. Il think / should prefer
to be in Triboulet's place to yours at pres
emit"
why" he said. with strange laugh.
there's day for the duke and a day for
the fool"
Deliberately she turned from him and
sang very softly:
"For love is madness;
"a Ounce on a stoolD
A king in love.
A king and fool.
Sing hoddy-doddy,
Noddy,
A king and a fool"
The monarch bent over the countess:
Diane and the dauphin exchanged messages
with their eyes: Catharine smiled on Villot;
the princess listened 10 her betrothed; and
the jestress alone Of all the ladies leaned
back and sang. heart-free. But suddenly she
again broke of and looked -curiously at the
dukes PLEASANT.
"Why did you not answer them with
what was first in your mind?' she asked.
what was that?' he said, starting.
How can tell?" she returned. studying
him.
"You can tell great DEAL" he replied.
.Sng hoddy-doddy.
Noddy!
The duke and the fool
she hummed. deigning no further words.
ITO Be Continued Tomorrow