Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-12

a writer, learned as Homer, british as Ho-
mer's swine-all subjects of his. the king
OF testers. save one; one whom he eyed
with certain fear and wonder; fear, be-
cause she was a woman-and TribouIet es-
teetned all the sex but highly perfected
devils sand wonder at finding her differ
ent from and more perplexing than even
the rest of her kind!
"JacQuelnei-"
Now she was perched on one corner of
the table, and her face had a witch-like
loneliness as though borrowing its palior
and beauty from the moon. source OF an
mage and nesromancy- Her eyes Shone
with such luster that. seeking their hue.
they held the observers gaze in mOckng
languor. and cheated the fnqustive cox
comb of his quest, the while the disdainful
lips curved laUghingly and so bewi.dered
him. he forgot the customary phrases and
stood staring like nonny. Her footsteps
fell so light, she was so agile and quick
the superstitious dwarf swore she was but
a creature of the night and held surrep-
titous meetings with all the familiar spirits
OF demonoiosy. AS she never denied the
uncanny imputation. but only displayed her
small white teeth maliciously, by way of
answer, Triboulet felt assured ne was right
and crossed himself religiously whenever
she gazed too fixedly at him
most gracieuse foile her dress was in
Keeping with her character, yellow being
the predominating color To the fanciful
lent itself readily, while her rebellious
curls were we'll adapted TO that badge of
her servitude, the jaunty cap that crowned
their waving abundance.
In especial disdain from her position
upon the corner of the table, her glance
wandered down the board and rested on
Rabelais. the gourmand, before whom were
an empty trencher and tankard. The priest
doctor-writer- scamp who affected the COM
pany of testers and liked not a little the
hospitality OF Fools Hall. which adjoined
the pastry branch of the castle kitchen
and was not far removed from the wine
butts, had just unroiled a bundle of manu-
script. all daubed with trencher grease and
tankard drippings. and was about to read
aloud the strange adventures of one Pan
tagruel. when. overcome by Indulgence his
head fell forward on the table, almost In
the wooden platter, and the papers fiutter-
ed to the floor.
Put him out,' commanded TribouIet
from his high place.
But she of the jaunty cap sprang from
the table.
How wise are your majesty's decrees!"
She said mockinglY with her glance upon
the dwarf. He shifted uneasily in the
throne. You should have put him out be-
fore! But now'-turning contemptuously
to the poor figure of the great man-''hes
was dross.'
And yet" answered Marot. thoughtfully.
the king esteems him; the king who is at
once scholar, poet. wit, soldier"
"Soldier!" she exclaimed quickly when
he cannot conquer Italy and regain his
HERITAGE
"Cannot? ventured Triboulet mindful Of
the dignity of his royal master. why
not?
Because the women would conquer hint"
Nay: the king prefers the blue eyes of
France" spoke up the cardinals fool, he
OF the viola.
Then do you set our queen of fools our
fair Jacaueiine. out OF his majesty's good
graces." interposed one Of the lesser lest
ers. mere baron's hireling. who long had
burned with secret admiration for the maid
of the coquettish can.
II am such a fool as to want the good
graces OF no manor mon .rch.' she re-
piled boldly. without glancing at the speak
er.