The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-24
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r. 81 FREDERIC S. ISFiAM. Y
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81 FREDERIC S. ISFiAM.
CHAPTER Nv.
AN IMPATIENT SUITOR


WELL Sir Mariner. do you not fear to
venture so far on a dangerous sea?' asked
a hooking voice.
"A dangerous sea, fair Jacqueline?' he
replied, stroking the head of the hound
which lay before the bench. II see nothing
save smiling fields and fragrant beds Of
flowers
'Oh, 1 recognize now Monsieur Diplomat
not Sir Mariner she retorted.
Beneath her head-dress, resembling in
some degree two great butterfly wings, her
face looked smaller than it's wont. Laced
tight. after the fashion. the cotte-hardie
made her waist appear little larger than
could be clasped by the hands of a soldier.
while a silken-shod foot with which she
tapped the ground would have nestled neat
ly in his palm. Was it pique that moved
her thus to address the dukes jester? Since
he had arrived, Jacqueline had been rele-
gated, as 1t were, to the corner. She, for
merly ever first with the princess, had, per-
force. stood aside on the coming Of the for
eign fool whose company her mistress
strangely seemed to prefer to her own.
First had it been talking, walking and
testing, in which last accomplishment he
proved singularly expert, judging from the
peals of laughter to which her mistress oc-
casionally gave vent. Then it had become
riding, hawking and. worst of all, reading.
Lately Louise, learned, has been set
forth. in the profane letters. had displayed
marked favor for books of all kinds-The
Tree of Battles, by Bonnet, the Breviary of
Mobiles, In verse, the "Livre des fats
d'armes ct de chevalerie" by Christine de
IT,, y,
her fool and servant she sedulously pur-
sued her literary labors.
AS books were rare, being hand-printed
and hand-illumined, the princess's choice
of volumes was not large. but Marguerite,
the Kings sister. possessed some rarely
executed poems-in their mechanical as
pect: the monarch permitted her the use of
several precious chronicles; while the alb
bess In the convent near by. who esteemed
Louise for her piety and accomplishments,
submitted to her care gorgeously painted,
satin-bound Life of Saint Agnes. Roman
virgin, who died under the sanguinary per-
secution of Diocletian. But Jacqueline
frowningly noticed that the saints life lay
idle-conspicuously, though fittingly, on the
altar table-while manuscript of the Queen
Of Navarro suspiciously accompanied the
jester when he sought the pleasant nook
selected for reading and conversation.
1t was to this spot the maid repaired one
soft summer afternoon, where she found
the fool and a acknowledgements. by
the purple binding and the love-knot in sill
ver!-awaiting doubtless the coming of the
princess; and at the sight of them, the
book of romance and the jester who brought
-
you have been here now a fortnight
Monsieur Diplomat" she continued, bending
the eyes which Triboulet so feared upon the
other.
Thirteen days, to be exact, sweet Jac-
queline!' he answered calmly.
Indeed! Then there is some hope for you
If you've kept track of time," she returned
pointedly.
Still he forbore to qualify his manner
save with a latent smile that further ex-
asperated the girl.
What mean you, gentle mistress?" he
asked quietly, without even looking at her,
Sweet Jacquelinev Gentle mistress!
you are profuse with soft words!' she cried
sharply.
"And yet they turn you not from anger. u
"Anger!" she said, her eyes flashing. mot
another man at court would dare to talk to
me as you do
At this he lifted his brows and surveyed
her much as one would spoiled child, a
glance that excited in her the same emo
ton she had experienced the night of his
arrival in FOOLS Hall, when he had con-
templated her in her garb of joculatrix, as
some misplaced anomaly.
"you have a reputation for sorcery. But j
think it lies more in your eyes than in the
moon.'
"And yet can see the future of all that, u
she replied, persstently, defiantly.
1.-THE futureY' he retorted, and looked
from the earth to the sky. What is the
goal of yonder tiny cloud? Can you tell me
that?"
1.-The goal?" she repeated, uplifting her
head wait! 1t is very small. The sun is
already swallowing it up
"Hegho!' yawned the jester, outstretch-
the moral to the fable-and there be one!
1.-THE moral!' she said. quickly. ASK
Marot.''
why Marot?" Balancing the stick with
the fools head in his hand.
Because he dared love Queen Margue-
rite!' she answered impetuousy. 1.-THE foo
in motley; the lady in purple! How he
TESTED at her wedding! How he wept when
he thought himself alOne.''
"He had put himself to blame, Jacque-
line" returned the other with composure
although his eyes were now bent straigh,
before him. HE could not climb to her; she
could not stoop to him. Yet / daresay il
was a mad dream he would not have fore
gone"
mot have foregone!" she exclaimed
quickly. What would he not have given to
tear it from his breast; aye. though he tore
his heart with it. That day, bright and fair
when Henry d'Albert, King of Navarro
took her in his arms and kissed her brow!
When amid gay festivities she became his
bridei Not have foregone? Yes: Marot would
forego that day-and other days.
Still that inertia; that irritating immo-
bility What tragic tale for summer
day. was his only comment.
"And Caillette!' she continued, rapidly
Distinguished in mien, graceful in manner
In the house of his patron. he dared look uI
Poitiers. A dream: a youthful dream! En-.
ter Monsieur de Breze, grand seneschal OF
Normandy. Shall L tell you the rest? How
Caillette stares, moody, knitting his brows
at his cups. OF what is the jester think
mgr
whether the grand seneschal will LEI
him sleep with the spaniels, Jacqueline Oh
turn him out" laughed the jester
Angrily she clasped her hands before her
as il the way your mind would move?'
she retorted.
"a Jester without roof to cover him is
like al dog without kennel, mistress"
Disdain, contempt, rapidly crossed her
| face, but her lip curved knowingly and heI
voice came more gently, because of the
| greater sting that lay behind their words
''You but seek to fiout me for my tale
she said sweetly. "Caillette is none such, as