The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03
OCTOBER 8, 1908.

muscle; no weakling Of the nursery"
(" Well,'' said the fool, slowly, you be-
came intermediary between the princess
and the duke, and the king and the en-
peror. But to come into the heart of
France; to the kings very palace-did
you not fear detection?'
"How?'' retorted the other, raising his
head and resting his eyes, bloodshot and
heavy, on the FOOLS impressive features.
''The road between the two monarchs is
mine; no message can now pass. The en-
peror and the duke may wonder, but the
way here Is long, and with q smile
Il have ample time for the enterprise
ere the alarm can be given
"And you paved the way for your COM
ing by altering the letters of the duke, or
forging new ones?" suggested the list
ener.
How else? A word added here and
there; postscript, or even a page! AS
for their highnesses' seals, any fool can
break and mend a SEAL In week the
duke will wonder at the princess silence;
in fortnight he will become uneasy;
in month he will learn the cage has
been left open and the bird hath flown
Then, too, shall the gates Of the dungeon
be set ajar, and the true, but tardy,
messengers permitted to go their respec-
! tive ways. Is 1t not a nice adventure?
Am not filter leader than your duke?
Undoubtedly" returned the jester.
He sits at home, while you are here in
his stead. But what will the princess
say when she learns?'
Nothing. She loves me already"
The fool turned pale; the hand that
| held his glass, however, was firm, and he
set the goblet down without a tremor.
"She may weep little, but it will
| pass like summer shower. Women are
| weak; women are yielding. Have not
reason to know?' he burst out. IT, "a
Brusquely he arose from his chair,
| leaving the sentence uncompleted. Stern
ly he surveyed the jester.
why not take service with her. he
| continued, abruptly. Austria is ripe to
revolt against the tyranny Of the empe-
ror, With the discomfort in the Neither
| lands, the dissensions in Spain, Europe
is like field, cut up, awaiting new
| comers.' 1850 = =.
He paused to allow the force Of his
words to appeal to the others magma
ton. What say you?'' he continued.
will you serve rne?"
The matters worth thinking over"
answered the fool evasively.
| well, take your time said the kings
guest, regarding him more sharply. And
| now, as the candles are low and
the mask IS empty, you had better take
your. leave.'' ~ -
At this intimation that the other con
sldered the interview ended, the fool start
ed to his feet and deliberately made his
way to the door opening into the corridor
| . "Good-ntght!' he said, and was about
, to depart when the free baron held hin
with a word -
Hold! Why have you not attempted tt
unmask me-before?"
Steadily the two looked at each other
the eyes of the elder man, cruel, deep, all.
observing; those Of the younger, steady
fearless, und1smayed Few Of his troop.
ers could withstand the sinister nenetra
ton of Louis of Hochfels gaze. but or
the Jester 1t seemed to have no more effec
than the casual glance Of one of Francis
courtiers.
You knew-and yet you made no sign?'
continued the master of the fortress.
Because l like a strong play and dit
not wish to spoil it-too soon!"
The questioner's brow fell; the1ids half
yelled the dark, savage eyes, but thu
mouth relaxed. "Ah, you always ha;v
your answer" he returned with apparen
cordially. Good night-and, by the bv
our truce is at an end.'' -
1 The truce-and the wine," said the les
ter, as with a ceremonious bow, he van
1shed amid the shadows in the hail.
Slowly the free baron closed the doc
and locked it; looked at the cross and a
i the bed, but made no motion towar
either .'''
HE has lately rejected my proposal,
thought the self styled duke. Does h
seek for higher rewards by betraying me
! Or Is 1t, then, Triboulet told the truth
Is he an aspiring lover Of the pricess? o
Is he only faithful to his master? r., VIII
have failed to read him.? AS tho fin
lay across his eye, that index to man
SOUL"
Motionless the free baron stood, lon
bordering deeply, until upon the mante