The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-22

Charles VIZ came through Triboulet's
half-closed teeth My masters one great
| 'Hush,' muttered villot "Our masters
| enemy is now his dear friendr'
| "Friend." sneered the other. but even as
| he thrust his sword tingled sharply In MS
! hand, and, whisked magically out or his
| grip. described curve in the air and fell
| at a far end of the room. AT the same time
a singing blow descended smartly on the
/ dwarf's hump.
Pardon me.' laughed the dukes fool
| Being unused TO such exercise, my blade
| fell my mistake your back.
If looks could have killed Triboulet would
| have achieved his original purpose, but
| after a vindictive though futile glance his
head dropped despondently. To have been
thus Inundated before those whom he re-
garded as his yassals. What jest could re-
| store him the prestige he had enjoyed; what
play of words efface the shame of that pub
| lie chastisement? Had he been beaten by
the king-but thus to suffer at the hand OF
| a foreign fooli And the monarch-would he
| learn of it?-the punishment OF the royal
| jester? AS in dream ne heard the hateful
| voices Of the company.
| wounded-there!" said fearless Caillette,
| who openly acknowledged his aversion for
the kings favorite fool But be seated;
gentle SIR he added TO the stranger, and
| share our rough hospitality"
! Rough, certesr commented the other.
as he returned his blade to his belt. And
| as see no stool"
There's the throne!' returned Caillette,
courteously. "Since you have overcome
| ITlDOulet, MS place is yours.
| "A precarious place!" said the newcomer,
| easily, dropping, nevertheless, into the
| chair.
The king is dead! Long live the king"
Long live the kingr' they shouted. every
fool and zany raising a tankard save the
| dwarf and the young woman, the former
| continuing to glare vindictively upon the
| usurper and the latter to all intent remain
ing oblivious of the ceremony OF installa-
| ton. Poised upon a chair. she idly thrust
her fingers through the gilded bars of the
| cage that hung from the rafters and gently
stroked the head of the now complaisant
| bird.
Poor Jocko! Poor Jocko!" she muir
| INJURED.
'Lal-la.-la!-" sang the parrot. respon-
Your Majesty's wishes! Your Majesty's
decree!" exclaimed the monastc wit-worm.
Hear! hear" roared Brusquet.
"silence! commanded Marot. His
foot. foot! toot!" rang out the flourish
of trumpet. clarion prelude to the fiat
The new king in motley arose; needless,
devil-may-care. very erect in his preposter-
ously pointed shoes.
II appoint you, Thony, treasurer of the
exchequer, because you are quick at sleight-
| of-hand." he began.
Good" laughed Marot. IAN he's, more
light-hngered than his predecessor, he's a
master Of prestidigitation"
You. Brusquet." went on the new master
of Fools Hall. II reward with the govern
| ment of Guenne. for he who governs his
| own house so i'll is surely fitted for greater
tasks of incompetency."
This allusion to the petticoat rule which
dominated the luckless jester at home was
| received in good part by all save the hap
less domestic bondman himself.
you. Villot. are made admiral of the
fleet"
ViIlot smiled, thinking how Francis had
| but recently bestowed that office upon the
impoverished husband OF pretty Madame
Thanks, your Majesty" he began. "but
| If some post nearer home"
| You are to sail at once!
| But my wife"
Twill remain at courtw announced the
dukes jester with great decision.
motley smiled Significantly. "a safe haven.
| villot! Besides, remember a court without
ladies is like spring without flowers"
swept the Te
had been Franciss; the court-a fiower-b bed
of roses-was, In consequence, a. thorny
| maze for a jester to tread. From her chair
| at the far end of the room the young wom-
an looked at the newcomer for the first time
since his embarrassment. Her fingers yet
played between the gilded bars; the posture
she had assumed set forth the plant grace
| of her figure. Above the others she glanced
golden cage; her arm, very white, half I'M
| sheathed from the great hanging sleeve.
You are over-bold," she said, peculiar
| smile upon her lips.
4 NAY, i have spoken no treason, mis-
1 tress." he retorted blithely.
mot by word Of mouth, perhaps, but by
He raised his brows with a gesture of
| wanton protest. while the face before him
| clouded. Her eyes held his; her little teeth
just cleaned between the crimson Of her
Il presume you consider Charles the more
| fitting monarch" she continued.
/ Was it the disdain of her voice? Did she
| read his passing thoughts? Did she chal-
lenge him to utter them?
I'm TRUTH" the Jester said carelessly'
hr1i1 anf NIL 1
aces; and garrisons them with soldiers, not
| ladies'"
hand moved caressingly. the sleeve waving
| beneath.
Poor Jocko! Poor Jocko" she muir
Triboulet's glance beamed with delight
She was casting her spell over his enemy.
oh" muttered Triboulet, IF the king
could but have heardi"
Perhaps it was a breath Of air, but the
tapestry depicting the misadventures of
Momus waved and moved Triboulet. who
an expression Of triumph momentarily to
rest upon his malignant features. Had his
prayer been answered? "a spring without
august gardener his beautiful roses. Great
red roses; white roses; blossoms yet un-
| opened!
Following his gaze, significant light
her arm fell to her side.
Now to see Presumption sue for pardon"
IL.
One by one the company too. turned in
the direction Triboulet was looking. In
| portraiture the classical buffoon grinned
and gibed at them from the tapestry; and
even from his high station above the clouds
Jupiter who had elected the offending fool
of the gods, looked less stern and implaca-
| bic. An expectant hush fell upon the as
semblage, when suddenly Jove and Momus
alike were unceremoniously thrust aside
and as the folds fell slowly back, before
| the many-hued curtain stood q man Of
stately and majestic mien.
A man whose appearance caused deep
pect made the very silence portentous and
| terrifying. With dress slashed and laced
| rich in jewelry and precious stones. he re-
| manned motionless, regarding the motley
gathering, while an ominous half-smile
played about his features. He said nothing,
but his reserve was more sinister than Ian
guage Capricious, cruel his face; in
his eyes shone covert enjoyment of the sit
uation.
Would he never speak? With one hand
| he stroked his beard; with the other he
You were talking, children" he said
| IF your Majesty ventured Triboulet
"has heard all. your Majesty will not blame
-us!" And he glanced inadvertently to-
| ward the dukes jester, who, upon the
Kings abrupt entrance, had descended
from the platform.
| Observing the emblazoned arms of
Charles v upon the dress of the culprit, a
faint look of surprise swept Francis's face
Did IL recall that fatal day when, on the
field of battle, a rival banner had waved
ever illusively; ever beyond his reach?
= IL