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

A BRIEF TRUCE
"Turn out these torch-bearers. human
candlesticks and Wallets de chambre. and
IN get me to bed" commanded the duke.
standing In the center of his room, and the
trooper with the fierce red mustaches waved
a swarm of pages. cup-bearers and attend
ants from the door and closed 1t. How are
the men CHARTERED, JOHANNA"
with all the creature comforts, my
lord" answered the soldier. THE King
hath dressed them like popinjays; they
drink overmuch, dice, and run after the
maids. but otherwise are well-behaved."
Drink; dice; run after the maidsr' said
tie noble. gazing thoughtfully downward.
Hold them in check. Johann, as though we
were IN campaign"
Yes, my lord returned the man, star
Ing impassively before him.
'And especially keep them from the
kitchen wenches. There's more danger in
these femmes de chambre. laundresses and
scullery Cinderellas than in a column of
glittering steel. Remember, no court of love
in the scullery. Now goI Yet stay, JOHANN
he added, suddenly. This fool of ours is
bold fellow. Look to him wellr'
Saluting respectfully, an expression OF
quick intelligence on his ford features. the
trooper backed out of the room. With his
hands behind him, his shoulders bent for
ward. the duke long pondered. his look.
keen and discerning; his perspicacity clear,
In spite OF Francis's wine. the intoxica-
ton OF the princess's eyes. Although the
mobiles glance seemed bent on vacancy, IL
was himself as well as others he was
studying; weighing the memorable events
OF the evening; recalling to mind every word
with the princess; reviewing her features.
the softening Of her cold disdain; now.
,aentally distrustful, because she was
woman: again. confident he already domi-
mated the citadel Of her heart.
But a new element had entered into the
field: an element unforeseen-the jester!-
and, although not attaching great impor-
lance to this possible source Of hazard in his
plans for the future, the duke was too good
a soldier to disregard any risk. however
slight. In love and battle. every peril should
be avoided; every vulnerable point made i'm
pregnable. Besides, the fool was audacious,
foolhardy; his language of covert mockery
and quick wit proved him an intelligent an
tagonist, who might become a desperate
one.
"A woman and a fool" muttered the duke.
striding with quick steps across his cham
Der, ARE two uncertain quantities. The one
should be subjected; the other removed!'
Museful, he stood before the niche, where
in shone a cross Of silver, set with anne
thysts and turquoise, his rugged face
lighted by the uncertain pickering Of the
candles.
Removed he repeated contemplatively.
"And She
The clear tinkIing of a bell broke in upon
mis- cogitation; faint, musical sound that
seemed at his very elbow. He wheeled about
abruptly, saw nothing save the mysterious
shadows OF the curtains, the pickering
lamps, the dark outline Of the canopy Of
the great bed. Instinctively he knew he was
not alone, and yet his gaze, rapidly sweep
ing the apartment. failed to perceive an in
truder.
turning sharply toward an alcove from
whence the sounds came. the duke. through
the half-light and trailing, sombrous shad-
ows of its entrance. perceived figure in a
chair. From candle set in a spiked. en-
ameled stick. yellow glimmering, that
came and went with the sputtering fame
rested upon an ironical face. graceful fig
ure In motley and a wand with the testers
head and the bell. without rising. the plais-
ant quizzically regarded the surprised no.
bieman, who, In spite Of his self-control
had stepped back involuntarily at the sud-
denness OF the encounter.
Good evening. my lord" said the fool. 81
am like the genii OF the tale. You think Of
me, and appear"
Regaining his composure at once, the
Kings guest bent his heavy brows over
IL md hora falx oh
.And now" went on the jester, gafly,
lit Is in your mind am like as suddenly
to-disappearl Am 1 at fault?"
"On the contrary. you are unusually clear
witted," was the answer.
'Oh. my lord. you overestimate my poor
capacity!" returned the noblemans un-
asked caller with a deprecatory gesture.
The hands of the other worked inpatient
ly; his herculean figure blocked the door
way You are a merry fellow!' he OBJ
served. 1T is to be regretted. but-confess
you have brought 1t upon yourself?
What? My fate? Oh; yesr And he in
wooden figure upon IL. without moving from
You have no fear?" questioned the duke.
Fear? Why should To-
Yawning, the fool stretched his arms,
looking not at the nobleman. but beyond
him, and, fnstinctively, the princess's be-
srothed peered over his shoulder in the semi
darkness behind, while his hand quickly
sought his sword
'Fie, most noble dukev' exclaimed the
Jester. 1--WE have no eavesdroppers or inter-
lopers, believe mel We entirely alone
YOU and I-master and fool. There; come no
nearer, begi" AS the nobleman\ menacing-
ly moved toward him.
Have you any argument to advance, Sir
Fool why / should not?" said the other.
gsimly, a gleam of amusement depicted on
his broad face as he paused the while.
AN argument sharp as a needle. somewhat
breast and drawing from between the folds
OF his doublet shining hilt
Harsh and loud laughed the kings guest.
''You fool" he said. you had your oppor-
tunity below there in the hall and missed
it. You hesitated, went blindly another
course. and now'-with ominous meaning
"you are here!'
Upon the stick a candle dripped. sput-
tered and went out; the jester bent forward,
and with the copper snuffer on the table
near by deftly trimmed the remaining light
only fools fight in darkness" he re-
marked. quietly. land here is but one of
them"
You pit yourself and that-plaything,-
against me?" asked the burly soldier. de-
risively.
Have you hunted the wild boar, my
lord?" lightly answered the other How
mighty Ii is How savagei What tusks.
You know the pastime? quick step, a
sure arm, an eye like lightning-presto,
your boar lies on his back, with his feet in
the air. You. my lord. are the boar; big
clumsy. brutal. Shall We begin the sport ?
/ promise 10 prick you with every rush"
The prospective bridegroom paused
E.r1Iw