The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-17

escape Of the PLEASANT, he would not
So easily tire in seeking the maid.
Once they slept in the fields; again,
beside an old ruined shrine, in; the
shadow of an ancient cross; the third
night, on the bank of a stream, when it
rained, and she shtvered. until dawn,
with no word of complaint. For
tunately the sun, arose, bright and
warm, drying, the garments. that chung
to her slender figure At the peas
ants houses they paused no longer than,
necessary to procure food and drink,
and, not to awaken suspicion, she pre-
ferred paying them, with q song of
the people rather than from the we'll
filled purse she had brought with her.
And as the fool listened to a spright-
ly,contagious carol and noted it's eff
fects on clod and hind, he wondered
If this could be the same voice he had
heard, uplifted IN one Of Master Cal
wins psalms in the solitude" of the
forest. She had the gift Of music,
and, sometimes on, the journey, would
break out with a catch or madrigal by.
Marot. Caillette, or herself. It APP
peared brave effort to bear up under
continued hardship insufficient rest
and sharp rtd1ng-and the jester re-
preached himself for thus taxing her
strength; but often, when he suggested
pause, she would shake her head
Wflfully, assert she was not tired, and
ride but the faster.
mo, mol" she would say; If we
would escape, we must keep on. We
can rest afterward."
Where do you wish to go7" 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
questioning; offended, possibly, his
sense Of that confidence which is due
comrade to .comrade, but she became
Immediately so propitiative and sweet
ly dependent-the antithesis to that
self-reliance her response implied-he
thought no more Of it, but remained
content with her reticence. Half
shyly, she looked at him beneath her
dark lashes, as if to read how deeply
he was annoyed, and, seeing his face
clear, laughed lightly.
What are you laughing at, mis-
tress?" he said.
piled.
Toward shutdown on the fourth day
they came to lonely inn, set in a;
clearing on the verge Of forest They
night before, and all that morning and
afternoon almost without resting, and
the first sight Of the solitary hosiery
was not unwelcome to the weary fug-
itives. A second inspection of the
place, however, awakened misgivings.
The building seemed the better adapt
ed for a fortress. than tavern, being
heavily constructed with massive
doors and blinds, and loopholes above.
A brightly painted sign, The Rocks
Haunt, waved cheerily, it is true,
above the door, as tho to disarm sus-
! picion, but the isolated situation OF
the inn, and the depressing sense. of
+hn
cause the wayfarer to hesitate whether
| to larry there or continue his journey.
"A glance at the pale face and I'M
naturally bright eyes Of the girl
| brought the Jester, however to a quick
decision. Springing from his horse,
he held out his hand to assist her,
but, overcome by weakness, or fatigue,
she would have fallen had<he not sus-
tanned 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 forward to welcome
his guests.
In appearance mine host was round
and jovial; his bulk bespoke hearty
living; his rosy face reflected good
cheer; his stentorlan voice, free-and-
easy hospitality. His eyes constituted
the only setback to this general i'm
preston Of friendliness and fellow
| ASSAA'A3' SAASy "CA LWlukInR,
CLASSY. =.
Good even to you, gentle folk" he
said. you tarry for the night, take
1T you have suitable accommodate
TONS" answered the Jester, treasured
by the mans aspect and manner.
1.-THE Rocks Haunt never yet turned
away weary traveller" answered the
landlord. you come from the pal
ace?'' f
YES" briefly, as lad led away
their horses.
And have done well7 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 TIL warrant your fail
companion cozened the silver pieces
from the pockets Of the gentry" And
smiling knowingly, he ushered them
into the principal living room of the
tavern. 49,.
It was a moke-begrimed apart
ment, with tables next to the wall
and rough chairs and benches for the
guests. ~ Heavy pine rafters spanned
the ceiling; the floor was sprinkled
With sand; from a chain hung q
wrought-iron frame for candles. Upon
a shelf row of battered tankards
suggesting many a bout, shone DULY
like a line Of war-worn troopers, while
a great pewter pitcher, the worse fol
wear, commanded the disreputable
array.
In this room was gathered a non.
descript company; mountebanks an6
buffoons; rogues unclassifed, drink.
ing and dicing; a robust vagrant, a.
whose feet slept a performing boar
with ring-badge Of: servitude--
shaggy-haired Spanish troubadour
with attire so ragged and worn as t
have lost it's erstwhile picturesque
.. prepossessing worthy .half-startet
from his seat upon the appearance O
fool and jestress; stared at them, ant
then resumed his place and the BALLAD
he had been singing:
, H. within the garden of Beaucaire
H.. He met her by g. secret stair. s. *!ss
= Said .Aucassin, MY love, my pet
These old confessors vex me so!
They threaten all the pain Of hell y
: :" ~ Unless give you up ma BELLE
= @,><zsf Said Aucassin to Nicolette. ~
l. Watching the nimble fingers Of tn
! shabby. minstrel with pitiably childis]
depression of amusement, a half-im
beetle 1norio leaned upon the table
His huge form, for he was a gian
T. among stalwart men, and his grea
moon shaped head made him at one
an. b1ect hideous and miserable Il
mt "a o1efo IL