The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-08

She. the quest, the mission, With growing
amazement he gazed at her, but she re-
turned his look, as though enjoying his sur
prise.
You do not seem overpleased with the
prospect of my company?'' she observed
'Or perhaps you fear / may cucumber
you?" With mock irony. Confess. the serv-
ice is more onerous than you expected"
Beneath her flushed. yet smiling face lay
a nervous earnestness he could divine. but
not fathom.
Different. certainly" he answered
brusquely.
Her eyes flashed. How complimentary
you are!'
For your own sake"
My sake!' she exclaimed. passionately.
Her little hand closed fiercely; proudly her
eyes burned into his. Think you L have
taken this step idly? That it is but the
caprice of moment? Oh no; no! 1t was
necessary to flee from the court. But to
whom could woman turn? Not to any of
the court-tools of the King. One person
only was there; he whose life was as good
as forfeited. Do you understand?
THAT my life belongs to you? Yes. But
that you should leave the court-where you
have influence, friends
Influence! Friends!''
He was startled by the bitterness Of her
voice.
"Tell me. Jacqueline-why do you wish to
go?" he said. wonderingly.
Because l wish to-" she returned, briefly,
and stroked the shining neck of her horse.
Indeed, how could she apprise him of
A.
court? How Francis, evincing a sudden in
terest as strong as 1t was unexpected had
exchanged Tribouet for herself. and the
princess, at the Kings request had taken
the buffoon with her, and left the girl be-
hind. The jestress's welcome to the house
hold of the Queen Of Navarro; a subsequent
bewildering shower of gifts; the compla-
cent, although respectful, attentions of the
King. How she had endured these advances
until no course remained save the one she
had taken. No; she could not tell the dukes
fool all this.
Between folle and fugitive fell mutual
reserve. Did she divine some portion of the
truth? Are there moments when the mind.
tuned to tension. may almost feel what
another experiences? Why had the girl not
gone with her mistress? He remembered
she had evaded this question when he had
asked 1t. Looking at her. for the first time
1T crossed his mind she would be held beau
tiful: an odd, strange beauty, imperious yet
girlish and the conviction crept over him
there might be more than a shadow of ex-
cuse for her mad flight.
Beneath his scrutiny her face grew cold,
disdainful. Like all men," she said, sharp
w m hn Of - q.
thoughts. you are prodigal in promises,
but chary in fulfillment."
Where is it your pleasure to go?" he
asked quietly.
THAT we shall speak of hereafter" she
answered. haughtily.
Forward then"
II can ride on alone" she demurred
eff"
Nay; tits who crave the quest" he re-
turned. gravely.
Her face broke into smiles. what a de-
voted cavalier!' she exclaimed. Come,
then. Let us ride out into the world. At
least 1t is bright and shining-to-day Do
you fear to follow me. sir? Or do you be-
lieve with the hunchback that 1 am an en-
chantress and cast over whom / will the
spell of diablerie?'
You may be an enchantress, mistress,
but the spell you cast is not diablerie," he
answered in the same tone
Fine words!" she said, mockingly But
1t remains to be seen into what a world
am going to lead you." And rode on
The rush of air, the swift notion the
changing aspect of nature were apparently
not without their effect on her spirits for
as they galloped along she appeared to for
get their danger. the certainty of pursuit
and the possibility of capture. Blithesome
she continued: called his attention to a
red-eyed boar that sullenly retreated at
their approach; laughed when an overhang-
ing branch swept her little cap from her
head and merrily thanked him when he
hastily dismounted and returned it to her.
You see, fool, what burden l am like
to prove! she said, readjusting the cap,
and, ere he could answer, had passed on, as
# challenging him to test of speed
Have a carei'' he cried warningly as
they came to a rough stretch of ancient
highway, but she seemed not to hear him.
That she could ride in such madcap fash
ion, seemingly oblivious of the gravity of
their desperate fortunes. was not ill-pieas-
ing to the jester: no tmorous companion
shrinking from phantoms. he surmised she
would prove. Thus mile after mile they
covered and the shadows had reached their
minimum length. when, coming TO a clear
pool of water. they drew rein to refresh
themselves from their provisions in the
saddle-bags. Bread and wine-sumptuous
fare for poor fugitives-they ate and drank
with keen relish. Dreamily she watched the
green insects skimming over the surface of
the shimmering water. On the bank swayed
the rushes. though making obeisance to
a single gorgeous lily. set like a queen in
the center of this little shining kingdom.
WAS the repast TO your liking?'' she
asked. suddenly looking from the pool to
him.
Entirely, fair Jacquelne. The wine was
excellent. Hunger gave ii bouquet and APP
petite aged IL. Never did bread taste so
wholesome. and as for the SERVICE
1T was perfect-lacking grand master
grand chamberlain grand marshals, grand
everybody" she laughed.
In the reflected glow from pool and shin
ing leaves, her eyes were so full of light ne
could but wonder IL this were the same per-
son who had so gravely stood by his bed
side in the cell That she should thus seem
careiessly to dismiss all thoughts of danger
knew she was not one TO lul herself with
the assurance of a false security To him
her bright eyes said: Il am in your care
Be yours the task now. And thus inter-
preting. he broke in upon her thoughts.
Having dned and wined so WELL shall
we go on. Jacqueline?"
To which she at once assented by rising,
and soon they had left the principality of
the lily far in the distance. Now the road
so narrowed he fell behind The character
of the country had changed; some time ago
they had passed out of the wild forest and
had begun to traverse a great, level plain,
broken with stubble. AS far as the eye
visible; the land outstretched apparently
without end. no habitatiOns dotted the