The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-07

ever faster down the dark corridor. now
veering To the right or left, again ascend
ing or descending well-worn steps; torlu-
out route through the heart % the ancient
fortress. whose mystery seemed dread ana
covert as that of prison house. Connoent-
ly. knowing we'll the puzzling interior plan
of the old pile, she traversed the labyrinth
that was 10 lead them without. flnaliy paus-
ing before a small door. which she tried.
Usually it is unlocked she said In sur
prise. II never knew IL fastened peiore'
us that our only way out?
1.-The only safe way. Perhaps one OF the
keys
But he had already knelt before the door
and the young grill watched him with OBJ
vious anxiety. He vainly essayed all the
keys. save one, and that he now strove 10
fit to the lock. 1t slipped in snugly ana the
stubborn bolt shot back.
Entering, he closed the door behind them
and hastily looked around, discovering that
they stood in a crypt, the centrai part ol
which was occupied by burial vault: In tne
crypt chapels were a number OF statues, In
marble and bronze, most of them rude, an
tique, yet not Of Indifferent Workmanship,
especially one before which the Jestress, IN
spite of the exigency Of the moment, stopped
as III impelled by an irresistible impulse.
This monument, so read the inscripIioh'
had been erected by the renowned Con.
stable of Dubrois to his young and iaithlui
consort Anne.
But a part of a minute the girl gaZed,
with and softened expression, upon
the marble likeness Of the last fair mis-
crossed the old mosaic pavement: reaching
a narrow flight of stairs. which she swiftly
assembled door that yielded to the TOOL S
shoulder led into deserted court, on one
side of which were the crumbling walls OF
the chapel. Here several dark birds perched
uncannily on the dead branch OF massive
oak that had been shattered by lightning.
In its desolation the oak might have peen
typical of the proud family. once rulers OF
the castle, whose corporal strength had
long since mingled with the elements.
open the s9
entrance to an olden bridge that spanned
moat. Long ago had the fuedal gates been
overthrown by Francis: yet above the Key
stone appeared, not the salamander, the
Kings heraldic emblem. but the almost IL,
legible device of the old constable. Beyond
the great arch Outstretched rolling coun-
try on which the jester gazed with eager
eyes, while his companion swiftly led the
way to a clump of willow and aspen on the
other side of the moat. Beneath the spread
ing branches were tethered two horses,
saddled and brided. Wonderingly he
glanced from them to her.
From whence did you conjure them, gen.
tie mistress?" asked the fool.
"Some one / knew placed them there.
But why-two horses. good Jacqueline?"
Because / am minded to show you the
path through the wood" she replied. you
might mistake 1T and then my purpose
would not be served. Give me your hand,
sir am wont to have my own way And
as he reluctantly extended his palm she
placed her foot upon 1t, springfng lightly
into the saddle. Its but canter through
the forest. The day is glorious. and twill be
rare sport
Already had she gathered in the reins and
turned her horse, galloping down a road
biruh, and he, after a moments hesitation,
rode after her. Like one born TO the chase,
she kept her seat, her 1.-THE figure sWaylng
to the movements of the steed. Soon the
brighter green of her gown fiuttered amid
the somber-tinted pines and elms. as the
younger forest growth merged into stern
array of primeval monarchs. Here reigned
an austere silence-a stiffness that now be-
came the more startlingly broken.
"Jacqueline!" said the fool squirting tow
ard her. DO you hear?"
1.-The hunters? Yes" she replied.
''They are coming this way"
perhaps it were better to draw back
from the road" she suggested. calmly.
do you draw back to the castle! ne
returned. quickly. his brow overcast.
''And miss the hunt? Not l, Monsieur
Spoil-Sport."
..But if they find you with me?''
not answer
Nearer came the hue and cry of the chase:
A heavy horned buck sprang into the ROAD
and vanished like a flash into the timber
on the other side. Shortly afterward, In a
compact bunch, with heads downbent and
stiffened tails, the pack. bowling. discord-
ant mass, swept across the narrow. open
"Ouick," exclaimed the jester, and they
turned their horses into the underbrush.
Scarcely had they done so when, closely
following the dogs, appeared the f1rst OF the
hunters, mounted on splendid charger,
with housings of rose velvet.
"Pardieu.' muttered the PLEASANT. II owe
the King no thanks, but he rides well. DO
you not think so, Jacqueline?"
Her answering gaze was puzzling. After
Francis rode many lords and ladies, a
stream of color crossing the road; riding
habits faced with gold; satin doublets COW
xv~;fk vfN-in Of
wherein gold became the foil to precious
stones So near was the gorgeous caval-
cade-the grand falconer, wh!ppers-in ana
the bearers of hooded birds mingllng with
the courtiers Immediately behind the King
the escaped prisoner and the Jestress
could hear the painting of the horses. Fleet
Ing 1t Ian'ef ns e
away in the distance. The last couple had
scarcely vanished before the fool and his
companion left their ambush.
You ride farther, Jacqueline?' he said.
"A little farther"
'It will be far to return" he protested.
81 have no fear" she answered tran
GULLY.
Again he let her have her way. as one
would yield to willful child. On and on they
sped; past the place where the deer-run
crossed the broader path; through an ever
varying forest; now on one SIDE, rocky
basin overrun with trees and shrubs; again,
on the other hand, great gorge. in whose
depths flowed whispering stream. Yonder
appeared the gray Wills Oh al mon
astery. one part only of which was habit
able: a turn in the road swallowed IL W
as though abruptly TO complete the demo-
lition time was slowly bringing about. On
and on. until the way became wilder and
the wood more overgrown with bushes and
tangled shrubbery, when she suddenly
stopped her horse.
He understood; at last they were to part
And. remembering what he owed to her, the
lester suddenly found himself regretting
that their paths separated forever. Swiftly
his mind few back to their first meeting
when she had fouted him I'm Fools Hall
A perverse, ceprcious maid. How she had
eyer crossed him. and yet-nursed him.
Attentively he regarded her. The custom
ary pallor of her face had given way TO a
faint tint her eyes were humid, dewy-
bright: beneath the little cap, the curling
tresses would have been the despair of those
later-day reformers, the successors of Cal
vinists and Lutherans.
"A wiil-o'- the-wisp.' he thought. "A man
might follow and never grasp her.
Did she read what he felt? That mingled
gratitude and perplexity? Her clear eyes
certainly seemed to have a peculiar mas
tory over the thought of others. Now they
expressed only mockery.
1.-THE great danger is over, she said
quietly From now on there is less fear oi
your being taken
Thanks to youi' he answered. searching
her with his glance.
Here he doubted not she would max,
Known the quest of which she had spoken
Whatever IL might be, he would faithfully
reouite her; even To making his own pur.
pose subservient To it,
ut is now time she said demurely. ''tC
acouaint you with the mission. OF course
you will accept it,?
49, he rn1