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

4 physician could not say.
The soldier might remain
insensible for hours. Thus
had the jester served him
self with that stroke better
than he knew, and he OF Hochfels ole
his lin and fumed inwardly, but to no
purpose Not, that he believed the
peril to be great, but the fact he could
not grasp 1t gOaded him, and ne cursed
the trooper for a dolt and a poltfooh
that a mere fool should have van
uuished him. And so he had left him,
with a last look OF disgust at the 81
lent lips that could not do his b1dd1ne'
and had proceeded to the royal pa
vilion, where the final act of the day
drama-more momentous imam Inc
king or other spectators reahzed-
was to be performed; an act In which
he would have appeared with much
complacency, but that MS chasrlIl
proved somewhat on his vanity.
But his splendid self-control and au-
dacity revealed to the courtly assem-
blage no trace of what was passing IN
his mind. He walked by the king
side as one not unaccustomed TO Suea
exalted company, nor oVerWneImed
by sudden honors. His courage was
superb; his demeanor that of one
born to command: in him seemed ex-
emplified type of brute strength ana
force denoting a leared-whether or
an army Or a band of sWaShbucklers.
AS the monarch and the free baron
drew near, the princess slowly, grace
fully arose, while now grouped
around the throne stood the heralds
and pursuivants of the lists. In her
hand Louise held the gift, covered
with a silver veil, an end of which
was carried by each Of the maids. .
Fair lady Of the Tournament"
said the king, this gallant knight Is
J~f,o
heard proclaimed: the victor OF the
day."
Approach, Bon Vouloir!' COM
manded the Queen Of Love.
The maids uncovered the gift, the
customary chaplet of beaten gold,
and, as the free baron bowed his
head the princess, with a firm hand,
fulfilled the functions of her office.
Rising, Bon Vouloir, amid. the ex-
carnations Of the court, claimed the
privilege that went with the bauble.
A moment he looked at the princess;
she seemed to bend beneath MS re-
gard; then leaning forward, deliber-
ately rather than ardently, he
touched her cheek with his lips.
Love closely observed her face be-
come paler and her form tremble;
but in a moment she was again mis-
tress of herself; her features proude1
and colder than before.
Did you notice how he melted the
ice of her nature ?' whispered Diane
with a malicious little laugh, to the
countess.
And yet twas not his-warmth
that did it," wisely answered the IA
vorite of the king.
His GOODNESS, them" laughed the
other, as the musicians began to play
and the winner of the chaplet lee
the princess to the dance. us it MOI
so, sire" she added, turning to the
preached. -.-.
"He, indeed, forgot a part of the
ceremony" graciously assented Fran
"A part Of the ceremony, your
majesty?'' questioned Diane.
! Ito kiss the two damsels Of tn
princess; and one of them wa
worthy of casual courtesy" he adde'
musingly.
(which, sire ?'' answered the coun
tess, quickly. ..... ,
THE dark-browed maid" returned
the monarch thoughtfully. "Wher
did I notice her last? '< ,'@-
Then he remembered. 1t was sn
who, he suspected, had laughed tina
night in Fools hall. Recalling tn
circumstance, the king looked aroun
for her, but she had drawn back.
T. TT is your pleasure to open the fes
tivities, sire?" murmured the favor1t'
and without further words, Franc
acquiesced, proffering his arm to n
companion.
Masque, costume ball, ballet, 1T we
all one to the king and the court, VIII
never wearied Of the diverting vags
ries Of the dance. Now studying thu
pantomirnic group of merrymakers,
the rhythmioal expression of actlo
Inn ha
the influence and relative positions
the fair jewellers. The countess, ali
and -vivacious, perched, as it Wer
lightly yet securely on the arm OF tf
throne; Diane, fearless, confident
the future thru the dauphin; Catha
Ia her own exalted place as wife Of tt
dauphin; Marguerite, mixture of sail
and sinner, a soft heart that wou
Outlines turn the king from a hal
purpose. - -
breathless, paused before the duke
fool, who stood a. motionless spect
tor Of the revelry. In his rich costun
Of blue and white, the figure Of tt
foreign jester presented a fair al
striking appearance, but his fac
proud and composed, was wanting
that spirit which animated the fe
lures of his fellows in motley. s.
lone more turn, fair Jacquelin
suggested Marot, her partner in tt
dance. -...~ E. =.
MOT one!" she answered.
lis that dismissal?" he aske
lightly. g. aG
:" ,Tis for you to determine" r
torted the maid. u. s. ".
"Modesty forbids I should interpr
1T to my DESIRES" he returned, laug
ing, as he disappeared.
Tall, seeming straighter than usu:
upon each cheek a festal rose, s.
stood before the dukes PLEASANT, i
scrutable, as was her fashion, t
scarf about her shoulders just stirril
from the effects Of the dance, and h
lips parted to her hurried breathing.
How did you like the ceremo ny
she asked, quietly. And did y
know she went on, without nOtici
the dark look in his eyes or await
his response. "the lance turned up
you to-day was not a weapon of cot
tesy' ?''
you mean it was directly by int
tom" he asked indifferently.
Not only that" she answered.
mean that the disk had been renaov
and the point left bare"
a "a mistake, Of course, he said, wi
a peculiar smile.
4. < A look Of impatience crossed
face, but she gazed at him intently a
her eyes held his from the floor Whe
they would have strayed. 5.sa
Are you stupid, or do you but pr
TESS to be?" she demanded. "Befo
the tilt I noticed the duke and ]
trooper talking together. When tn
50, tad lot o1Nc1o,, n r,cy