The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-30

fetch the horse. And vanished.
moment he remained, then resoluteIy
turning to the door through which she nao
disappeared, opened IL, and found himseh IN
a combined sleeping room and staDie,
dark apartment, with floor OF haroeneo
earth and a single window, open TO wind
and weather. The atmosphere In TINS cham-
Der for man and beast was irnpregnated
with the smell of mold and dry-rot mingled
with the livelier effiuvium of dirt and CRIME
of years; but amid the malodor and mustl-
ness, on a couch under the window, SUM
bered and snored the false Franciscan
monk. BY his side was a tankard. half
filled with stale sack, and in his hand ne
clutched a gold piece as though he had had
intimation il would be safer there than
elsewhere on his person during the pot
valiant sleep he had deliberately courted.
His hood had fallen back displaying bull
let head. red cheeks and purple nose, w9 al,e
of a friar trailed from his girdle on the
ground. From stall in far corner a
large, bony-looking nag turned its head re-
against such foul quarters and the poor
company they offered Its melancholy whin-
ny upon the appearance OF the woman was
a sigh for freedom: sad suspiration TO the
starred meadows.
why, here's holy man worn out by too
fool, standing on the threshold: and then
gazed from the gold piece in the monks
hand to the woman. IL need not ask where
you got the silver, Nanette. 'Tis a chain OF
evidence leading-where?
The gypsy replied only with dark looks,
regarding his intrusion in this inner sane
tuary as a fresh provocation for her just
displeasure. The jester, however, paid no
attention to these signs Of new ascerbity on
her face.
Crossing to the couch he shook the monk
vigorously, but the latter only held his
piece of money tighter, like miser whose
treasure is threatened, and snOred the
louder. Again the fool essayed to waken
him, and this time he opened his eyes, felt
M a
prayer in Latin words, strung together In
meaningless phrases.
Why" commented the jester. his learn
ing is as false as his cloak. Wake up,
sirrah! Would you approach heavens gate
toss-pot in your hand?
"Christe tuum-I absolve you / absolve
peace. - ~ ~ ~
Hear me. thou trumpe&up monk: do
thee opher what
what for? To-tb help some fool to para
dise-or purgatory? It's for the church
beg, good people. The holy church-church
/ say!
Winking and blinking, seeing nothing be-
fore him, he held out trembling hand.
THE piece of gold-give it to met he num-
bled.
Yes; in exchange for your cloak" an
swered the jester.
MY cloak, thou horse-leech! Sell my
skin for-piece of gold! Want my cloak?
extending his arms The jester grasped the
garment by the sleeves and with some diff
ticulty whipped 1t from him.
Now hand me-the money and-cover me
with rags that may Sleep" continued the
beer-bibber. ''So'-as he grasped the
money the fool gave him and stretched
ter of cast-off clothes and rubbish-'I Ian
guish in ecstasies! The angels-are singing
around me-
With growing surprise and ill-humor had
fho N nhSor cd inc
and now, when the jester had himself
donned the false friar's gown, she said
grudgingly:
pieces?"
mo; there are still five left"
"A bit of gold for a cloak" she grumbled.
cit is overmuch But there!' christening
door that looked out upon the field. Give
me the money and be gone"
He grasped the bride of the horse, hand
ed her the promised reward, and. drawing
the hood of the monks garment over his
head, led the nag out into the open air.
The door closed quickly behind him and he
heard the wooden bolt as ii shot into place.
Above the dark outlines of the forest, the
moon, full-orbed now shone in the sky.
with a myriad attendant stars, it's silver
beams flooding the open spaces and reveal
languorous, redolent air just stirred the
| waving grain. on which rested glossy
simmer.
AS the fool was about to spring upon the
| the corner of the house and the animal
| danced in alright. Before the jester could
| quiet and mount the nag, the shadow re-
| solved itself into a man, and, behind him.
came a numerous band the play of light
| on helmet, sword and dagger revealing
| them as a party of troopers. Doubtless
| having INDUCED freely, they had become in
clined to new adventures, and accordingly
had bent their footsteps toward the little
house on the verge of the wood" where
| merry company was always to be found.
he Of nd he
horse they passed forward, and, with one
accord, surrounded him.
THE Franciscan monk!" cried one.
where is he going SO late with the nag?'
asked another.
Hes off to confess some one" exclaimed
| a third.
| joined the second speaker.
| Well. what have we to do with his love
affairs?" laughed the first trooper. ride
| on, good father, and keep tryst'
Yes, ride on!' the others called out
The monk bowed. An interruption which
| had promised to defeat his designs seemed
drawing "a, to harmless apa soae1 His
! penetrated beneath the costume; he had
| already determined 70 leap upon the horse
in a rush for freedom when a heavy. de-
| tanning hand was laid on his shoulder
| lone moment, knave!" said deep voice
| and, wheeling sharply. the fool looked into
the keen, ferret eyes OF the trooper with
| the red mustache. / have a question to
| ask. Have you done that which you were
| to dor
The friar nodded his assent. ''The fool
| will trouble the duke no more" he an
| swered.
"Ah, he is"-began the soldier.
| Even so. And now pray let me pass"
| Yes; let him pass! urged one of the SOL
diers. Would you keep some longing troll
| lop waiting?'
The leader of the troopers did not answer;
| his glance was bent upon the ground. yes
you may CO." he commented, when" and
| suddenly thrust forth arm and pulled
back the enshrouding cloak.
1.-The dukes fool!' he cried. "Close in
| rogues! Let him not escape"
| Fiercely the FOOLS hand sought his
BREAST then, swiftly realizing that il need.
| ed but a pretext to bring about the end de-
! sired by the pretender in the castle with
an effort he restrained himself, and con.
| fronted his assailants, outwardly calm
Its a poor jest which fails" he said
| easily.
JEST grimly returned he of the RED
mustaches. Call you ii jest, this monk
disguise? Once on the horse, it would have
been no jest, and I'll warrant you would
| soon have left the castle far behind Yes
| and but for the cloven foot. the jest as yot
| call il, would have succeeded too Had Il
| not been.' he added, "for the pointed silk
| en- Shoe peeping out from beneath the holy
robe-a covering of vanity, instead of holy
| nakedneSs-you would certainly have de
| ceived me, and''-with a brusque laugh
slipped away from your master, the duke.
| THE duke?" said the jester as castinf
the now useless cloak from him, he DELHI
| erately scrutinized the rogue.
| THE duke, returned the man, stoidly
"Well, this spells our sport for tonight
| knaves, he went on. turning to the othel
| troopers, for We must cen escort the lest
/ no. IL 20 he Ia