The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-15
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SSSTHE ROSE g.,
r. BIZ FREDERIC S. ISEiAM. Y
" He



"Wel?" said the monarch finally, in a
harsh voice.
Slowly she lifted her head: her dark eyes
rested on the ruler steadfastiy, tearlessy;
Your Majesty commanded my presence,
she answered.
who are your" he asked coldly.
IL am called Jacdueline; my father was
the Constable of Dubrois
Incredulity replaced every other emotion
on the Emperors features, and, approach
ing her, he gazed attentively into the coun-
tenance she SO frankly uplifted. WITH calm
ness she bore that piercing scrutiny; MS
dark, troubled soul. looking out OF his Keen
gray eyes, met an equally lofty spirit -.
The Constable OF Dubrols. You, his
daughter" he repeated.
His thoughts swiftly pierced the shadows
of the past; that outrageous past. dark
cned with war and carnage; the memory OF
triumphs; the bitterness of defeats. And
studying her eyes, her face, as in vision
he recalled the features, the bearing, or him
who had held himself an equal 10 his ola
rival. Francis. a red spot rose to his cheek
as he reviewed the martial, ompatiVe days
the game of arms he had played so OFTEN
with Francis-and won't Not always by dar-
ing. or courage-rather by sagaeity. clear
headedness. more potent than any other
force.
But pang OF bodily suffering reminded
him of the present and its Ills and the vain
glory of brief eXultation faded as quickly as
it had assailed him; involuntariy his glance
sought the sacred emblem of inteIcession.
When he regarded her once more his face
had resumed its severe, uncompromislns
aspect.
THE constable was proud, naughty
in fact. You know why he fled to me-?
Eyes. SIRE" she answered, flushing resent
fully.
against the King Many times have my
good brother Francis. and myself gone to
war he added, refiectively and not without
certain complacency. but then were we
engaged In troubles in the east; TO keep the
Mohammedans from overrunning our Chris
tian land. How could 1 cblige the constable
by fighting the heather and the believers In
the gospel in one breath? Your father-for
am ready to believe him such by the EVIL
dence of your face, and, especially, your
eyes-accused me of little faith. But had
either to desert him, or Europe. His cause
was lost; twas the fortune of war; the fate
of great families becomes subservlent 10
that of nations.
He spoke as il rather presenting the case
to himself than to her; as though he sought
to analyze his own action through the medi-
UNI of time and the trend of larger events
Attentivey she watched him with deep
serious eyes, and, catching her almost ac-
cusing look and knowing how. perhaps, ne
shuffied with history, his brow grew darker;
he was visibly annoyed at her-his own con-
science-he knew not what!
II did not complain, your Majesty, she
Her answer surprised him. Again he OBJ
served her attire; the pallor of her face; the
dark circles beneath her eyes. Grimly he
marked these signs of poverty; those marks
| of the WEAKNESS and privations she had I'M
dergone. ~
| To beg an asylum, perhaps?" he went on.
Not to beg. your Majesty! To ask. yes!
'Vrai Dieu!" muttered Charles. There is
| the father over again! 1t is strange this
| maiden clothed almost in rags should claim
such ilustrious parentage," he continued TO
| himself, as he walked restlessly to and fro.
| 1T is more strange / ask no other proofs
| than herself-the evidence of my eyes!
Where did you come from .: ne added q;
| Francis?
Eyes, SIRE
why did you leave the King?'
"Why-because-" Her hands clenched.
| The gray eyes continued to probe her. Be
cause i hate him.
The Emperor's face relaxed; a CLEAN of
humor shone in his glance. Hate him whom
| so many of your sex love?" he replied.
Through her tresses he saw her face turn
| red; passionately she arose. With your
Majestys permission, 1 will CO."
Coz he said abruptly Where can you
go? You are somewhat quick of temper.
| like. Have / refused you aught? l could
not serve your father" he continued, taking
her hand. and; not urgently, OBTAINING her.
| but l may welcome his daughter-though
necessity. the ruler of kings, made me help
| less in his behalf!
paternally, half severely, he surveyed her.
| "Sit down here" he went on, indicating a
| low stool. You are weary and need refresh
! ment"
Silent she obeyed and the Emperor.
| touching a bell, gave low command to the
| servitor who appeared. In few moments
| meat fruits and wine were set before her,
/ and Charles, from his point of vantage-no
! throne of gold, but a chair lined with cordo-
| van leather, watched her partake. The pains
had again left him; the monk gave way to
| the ruler he thought Of no more phrases OF
| the Credo, but with impressive face listened
| to her story, or as much as she cared to re-
| late When she had finished, for some time
| he offered no comment.
"a strange tale he said finally. But
what will our mobiles do when ladies take
mere fools for knight errants?"
He is no mere fool!' she spoke up, i'm
pulsively.
The Emperor shot a quick look at her
! from beneath his lowering brows.
| II mean-he is brave-and has protected
| me many times" she explained in some
And so you, knowing what you were. re-
| mained-with poor jester-a clown-rather
| than leave him to his fate?" continued
| Charles. inexorably, recalling the words OF
the OutriderS.
Her face became paler, but she held her
head more proudly; the spirit of the jestress
| sprang to her lips
ut is only Kings, sire. who fear to cling
to forlorn cause.'
His eyes grew dark and gloomy; morosely
he bent his gaze upon her. No one had ever
before dared to speak to him like that. for
Charles had no love for testers. and kept
none in his court. unsparing, iron-handed
| he had gone his way. But, perhaps, in her
| very fearlessness he recognized a touch OF
| his own infexible nature. At any rate his
sternness soon gave way to an expression OF
melancholy.
God alone knows the hearts Of mon
archs. he said. somberly. and directed his
| glance toward the crucifx.
Moved by this unexpected leniency and
| the aspect of his cheerlessness, she immedi-
| ately repented of her response. He looked
so old, and melancholy. this great monarch
| When he again turned TO her his face and
manner expressed no further cognizance OF
her reply.
| You need rest" he said. land shall have
| tent to yourself. Now go,' he continued
! placing his hand for a moment. not unkind-
ly. on her head. II shall give orders for
your entertainment. Ii Will be rough hospi-
| tally, but-you are used TO that. / am not
| sorry child. you hate oar brother Francis
| il II has driven YOU to our court"
| ITO be Continued Tomorrow