The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-29

even his antagonist Injured to scenes of vio-
lence and strife.
as II a truce. most noble lord?" said the
fool, significantly. "A truce wherein we may
call black, black; and white, white! A truce
which may be broken by either OF us, with
due warning 20 the other?
Knitting his brow, the noble stood motion
less, deeply bordering, his headlong passion
evidently at combat with his Judgment
burst from his lips and he brought his INST
Violently down on the massive oak table
near the door.
so be it," he assented, with a more open
look
boar?"
"Foolt Does not my word sufice?" con-
temptuously retorted the duke.
Yes; for although you are-what you are
you have been soldier, and would not
break truce"
the Kings guest, seating himself in great
chair which brought him face to face with
only means of she
Pardon me, the dukes jester. you
mean?"
"A distinction with differencer' retorted
the fool; 1T is quite true 1 am the dukes
Jester; IL is equally untrue L am yours.
therefore, we reach the conclusion that you
Plainly, not being the duke. you are an i'm
poster. Have you any fault to find with my
reasoning?"
"On the contrary" answered the other,
with no sign OF anger or surprise, your
reasoning Is all that could be desired. Why
should 1 deny what you already know? 1
was aware, of course, that you knew, when
l first learned his jester was in the castle.
Frankly. am not the duke-to your
But with Francis and the court?' sug-
gested the fool uplifting his brows.
Il am the duke-and such remain! You
Perfectly, my lord" replied the jester.
struggling his shoulders. but since l am
whom. for the time being, have the honor
sitive-"
Not at ALL" said the other, with mock
ing ceremony. You are a whimsical fellow;
besides, L am taken with a man who stands
near death without fiinching. To tell you
the truth, our truce is somewhat to my
liking. There are few men who would have
dared what you have tonight. And al
though you're only a fool-will you drink
with me from this bottle on the table here
I'm tired of ceremonies of rank and would
clink glass In private with merry fell
low. What say your?
And leaning over, he filed two large COB
lets with the rich beverage from great flask
placed on the stand for his convenience.
His face lighted with gross conviviality.
but behind his jovial. free manner, that of
trooper in his cups, cleaned a furtive.
guarded look. as though he were studying
and testing his man.
I'm for a free life; some fighting but
snug walls around for championship" he
continued. Look at my soldiers now: rois-
tering, love-making Charles? Francis? Not
one Of the troop would leave me for EN-
peror or King! Not one would follow me
where ambition leads!' Holding up the
glass. he looked into the depths of the thick
burgundy. why, likely fellow like you
should carry a cleaning blade, not a wood
en- sword 1 know your duke-a man Of
lineage-a string Of titles long as my arm
an underling of the Emperor, while T.
Closing his great jaw frmly-"owe al
legiance to no man, or monarch, which is
the same thing. Drink, lad; I'm pleased
did not kill you
'And l." laughed the PLEASANT, "congratu-
late myself you are still alive-for the wine
Still alive!" exclaimed the Kings guest,
boisterously. although dark shadow
crossed his glance. Il m SCARED from head
to foot. and my hide is as tough as
fools head on his wand
"Ah, you will have your jest" retorted
the host of the occasion, good-naturedly.
Its bred in the bone. A quality for a SOL
der. Next to courage is that fine sense of
humor which makes man a bon CANA
rade. Put down your craven image, lad /;
you were made to carry arms, not baubleS.
Put it down, say, and touch glasses with
Louis, of Pfalz-Urfeld.''
THE bastard of Hochfelsl" exclaimed the
jester fixedly regarding the man whose
his reckless bravery, his personal resources
and his indomitable pride or love of free
QOm ana independence, Wn1cn held him alOOf
from Emperor or monarch, and made him
peer and leader among the many in.Iact-
able spirits of the Austrian country who
had not yet bowed their necks to conquest;
soldier of many battles, whose thick
walled fortress, perched picturesquely in
midair a steep mountain top, estab-
lished his security on all sides.
The same, my friend or the motley"
continued the other, not without compla-
cency, observing the effect of his announce
ment on the jester.
Hochfels?'' observed the fool. setting down
the glass from which he had moderately
partaken.
AYE; a man of royal and peasant blood. ;,
ton, arrogance. are the kingly inheritance;
strength, a constitution of iron. the low
born legacy. What think you of such an en-
dowment?"
"You are far from your castle. my Lord of
Hochfels," commented the jester, absently,
unmindful Of question he felt not called
upon to answer.
And yet as safe as in my own mountain
nest" retorted the free baron. or freebooter,
indifferently. who would betray me? There
is not trooper Of mine but would die for
his master. You would not denounce me, be-
cause-but why enumerate the reasons? /
hold you in the palm of my hand. and,
when l close my fingers, there's the end of
YOU"
rare flavor" and he reached for the flask
Drink freely" returned the pretender;
II is the hlnS OWN, ana you are my
guest. You were about to ask"
whence came the idea for this mad ad-
venturew said the jester his eyes seeming
ly bent in admiration on the goblet he held
a half globe of crystal sustained by gold
en- Bacchus.
'Idear' repeated the self-called baron,
with a gesture of satisfaction. 1T was more
than an idea. 1t was an inspiration, born of
that chance which points the way to great
ness The feat accomplished, all Europe
will wonder at the wanton exploit. At first
Francis will rage; then seeing me impreg-
nably intreHched, will make the best of the
marriage especially as the groom is of roy
al blood. Next, an alliance with the French
King against the Emperor Why not; was
not Francis once ready to treat even with
Solyman to defeat Charles, an overture
which shocked Christendom? And while
Charles's energies are bent TO the task of
protecting his country from the Turks. a
new leader appears; devll-may care fell
low-and then-and then
He broke off abruptly; stared before him,
as though the fumes of wine We're at last
beginning to rise to his head: toyed with
his glass and drank IL quickly at a draught.
morrow he muttered.
IAN Elusive hope that reconciles us with
to-day" answered the PLEASANT
'Illusive!' cried the other. "Only for
poets. dreamers, foolsr'
And you, Sir Baron, are neither one nor
the other" remarked the jester mo phil
osopher. but a plain soldier who chops
caused you TO embark upon this ot-brained,
pretty enterprise?
Upon a spur of rock that overlooks the
road through the mountain is set the Vul-
lures Nest Sir Fool" began the adventure
er in a voice at once confident and AFRO
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