The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-09
CHATTER XIX.
A FIGURE IN THE MOONLIGHT.

Experiencing no further inconvenience
than the ordinary vicissitudes of travelling
without litter or cavalcade, several days of
wandering slowly passed. Few people they
met, and those. for the most part, various
types of vagabonds and nomads some wild
and savage, roaming like beasts from
place TO place; others, harmless, mere be-
dragged birds of passage. In this latter
class were the vagrant entertainers, with
dancing rooster or singing dog, who stopped
at every peasants door. To the shrill piping
of the fageolet, these merry stragglers
added step of their own, and won crust
for themselves, a bone for the dog or
handful of grain for the performing fowl.
In those days when court ladies rode in
carved and gilded coaches. and their escorts
on horses covered with silken, jeweled nets,
the modest appearance of the jestress and
her companion was not calculated to at
tract especial attention from the yokels
and honest peasantry; although their
steeds, Notwithstanding their unpretentious
housings. might still excite the cupidity of
highway rogues. AS 1t minimized their risk
from this latter class, the young girl was
content to wear the cap Of the jestress,
piquantly perched upon her dark curls,
thereby suggesting an indefinable affinity
with vagrancy and the itinerant fraternity.
Not only had she donned the symbol Of
her office. but she endeavored to act up to
1t, accepting the sweet with the sour, with
ever a jest at discomfort and concealing
WEAKNESS with smile. Often the fool won
dered at her endurance and her calm cour-
age in the face of peril, for although they
met with misadventures, each day
seemed fraught with jeopardy. Perhaps 1t
was fortunate their attire, somewhat travel
stained, appeared better suited to the char
acter of the poor. migratory wearers Of the
cap and bells than to the more magnificent
roles of fou du roi or folle de la refine. But
although they had gone far, the jester knew
they had not yet travelled beyond The reach
of Franciss arm. and that. while the King
might reconcile himself to the escape of the
PLEASANT, he would not SO easily tire In
seeking the maid.
Once they slept in the fields; again, be-
side an old ruined shrine. in the shadow Of
an ancient cross; the third night, on the
bank of a stream, when 1t rained. and she
shivered until dawn with no word of COM
plant. Fortunately the sun arose, bright
and warm. drying the garments that chung
TO her slender figure. At the peasants
houses they paused no longer than
necessary to procure food and drink, and
not to awaken suspicion. she preferred pay
ing them with song of the people rather
than from the well-filled purse she had
brought with her.
And as the fool listened to sprightly,
contagious carol and noted its effect on clod
and hind, he wondered If this could be the
same voice he had heard uplifted In one Of
Master Calvin's psalms In the solitude of
the forest. She had the gift of music, and
sometimes on the journey. would break out
with catch or madrigal by Marot, Call
lette or herself. 1t appeared brave effort
to bear up under continued hardship-in-
sufficient rest and sharp riding-and the
jester reproached himself for thus taxing,
her strength; but often, when he suggested
a pause, she would shake her head willfully,
assert she was not tired and ride but the
faster
mo, no." she would say; "if we would
escape, we must keep on. We can rest after
ward"
Where do you wish to go?" he asked her
once.
There is time enough yet to speak of
that" she returned. evasively.
You have some plan, mistress?"
Perhaps"
This answer forbade his further question
ing; offended, possibly, his sense of that
confidence which is due comrade to COM
pitiative and sweetly dependent-the antith-
esis to that self-reliance her response i'm
plied-he thought no more about it, but re-
NAMED content na with III, ner retiesnse Half
lashes, as If to read how deeply he was an
noyed, and, seeing his face clear laughed
lightly.
What are you laughing at, mistress p"
he said.
"If 1 knew could TELL" she replied.
Toward shutdown on the fourth day they
the verge of forest. They had ridden late
in the moonlight the night before, and all
that morning and afternoon almost without
resting, and The first sight of the solitary
fugitives. second inspection of the place.
however, awakened misgivings. The build
ing seemed the better adapted for a fort
ress than a tavern, being heavily con-
structed with massive doors and blinds
and loopholes above. A brightly painted
sign, The Reeks' Haunt, waved cheerily
1t is true, above the door. as though to
disarm suspicion, but the isolated situation
of the inn, and the depressing sense of the
surrounding wilderness might well cause
the wayfarer to hesitate whether to tarry
there or continue his journey.
A glance at the pale face and unnaturally
bright eyes of the girl brought the jester
however. to a quick decision. Springing
from his horse, he held out his hand to as
SlSt ner, Dut, overcome Dy weakness, or
fatigue, she would have fallen had he not
sustained her. Quickly she recovered. and
with faint flush mantling her white cheek
withdrew from his grasp, while at the same
time the landlord of the tavern came for
ward to welcome his guests.
In appearance mine host was round and
jovial his bulk bespoke hearty living: his
rosy face reflected good cheer: his stentori-
an voice. free-and-easy hospitality His
eyes constituted the only setback TO this
general impression of friendliness and fell
low-feeling; they were small twinkling,
CLASSY.
Good even to you, gentle folk" he said
"You tarry for the night. take it?'
IF you have suitable accommodation -
answered the jester. treasured by the mans
aspect and manner.
a weary traveller" answered the landlord
"You come from the palace?"
Yes briefly, as lad led away their
horses.
And have done we'll? Reaped a harvest
from the merry lords and ladies?"
There were many others there for that
purpose" returned the jester following the
proprietor to the door of the hostelry
True. Still I'll warrant your fair COM
panion cozened the silver pieces from the
pockets of the gentry" And. smiling know
ingly, he ushered them into the principal
living room of the tavern.
Ii was smoke-begrimed apartment with
tables next to the wall. and rough chairs
and benches for the guests. Heavy pine
sprinkied with sand; from a chain hung a
wrought-iron frame for candles. Upon a
shelf a row of battered tankards, suggest
ing many a bout, shone DULY, like a line 90
war-worn troopers, while great pewter
pitcher. the worse for wear, commanded the