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

Francis started. Like a menace shone
the arms of the great Emperor Vividly
he recalled his own humiliation, his long
captivity, and mistrusted the power of his
subtle amiabie friend-enemy. Friendship?
Sweeter was hatred But the promptings
OF wisdom had suggested the policy of
autocrat or slave, TO the doctrines of low
ing brotherhood. He turned his gloomy
eyes upon the glowing countenance OF Trib-
outlet.
What say you, fool?"
Your Majesty, answered the eager
dwarf, could hang him without breach of
hospitality
How do you make that good. Triboulet?"
asked the monarch.
THE duke has given him to the princess.
The princess is a subject of your Majesty.
The King of France has jurisdiction over
the princess'S fool and surely can proceed
In so small matter as hanging him..
Francis bent malignant look upon the
young man. Behind the dwarf stood the
Jestress, now an earnest spectator of the
scene.
This newcomers stay with us promises
| to be brief, Calliette,' she whispered.
Hark you witchi He answers" returned
the poet.
ging her shoulders. He is already con-
demned."
Are you pleased. mistress? Just because
the poor fellow stared at you overmuch.
Oh" she said, insensibly, lit was written
/ he should hang himself. Now we'll hear
how ably Audacity parleys with Fate.
Sire, TO hang the princesss fool" spoke
the condemned man with no sign of waning
confidence. yet 1t would seem to depreciate
| the dukes gift Your Majesty should hang
the one and spare the other. 'Tis a matter
of logic he went on quickly, Ito point out
where the dukes gift ends and the prin-
| is received. The princess has not yet re-
ceiyed the dukes gift. Therefore. your
Majesty cannot hang me as the princess 5
| fool; nor would your Majesty desire to
nanR the dukes gift.
lmperceptibly the monarch's mien re-
i ii,3a for next to contest with blades he
Answer him, Triboulet,' he said.
Your Majesty-your Majesty" SIAM
mered the dwarf, and paused in despair,
his wits failing him at the critical juncture.
Enough" commanded the King, sternly.
a sound of suppressed merriment even as
he spoke startled the gathering. Who
laughed?' he cried suddenly. WAS 1t you,
| mistress?" fastening his eyes upon the
young woman.
Her head fell lower and lower like some
dark flower on a slender stem. From out
of the veil of her may hair came voice,
soft with seeming humility
1T might have been Jocko, Sire" she
said. He sometimes laughs like that"
The King looked from the woman to the
bird; then from the bird to the woman, a
gieam OF recollection in his glance.
"Humph!' he muttered. rs this where
you serve your mistress? Look to it you
serve not yourself ill!'
An instant her eyes flashed upward.
MY mistress Is at prayers, she an
swered and looked down again as quickly.
And you meanwhile prefer the drollery
| of these madcaps to the attentions of our
courtiers?" said Francis, more gently.
"Certes are you gipSy-born"
Her hands clasped tighter, but she an
| swered not, and he turned more sternly to
| the new king of the motley. LAS for you"
| he continued for the present the dukes
| gift is spared. But let the princesss fool
| look to himself. Remember, a guarded
| tongue insures ripe old age, and even a
| throne in FOOLS Hall is fraught with haz-
| ard. Herei some of you, take this''-indi-
| eating the sleeping Rabelais-"and throw
| 1t into the horse pond Yet see that he does
not drown-your heads upon it! IT'S to him
France looks for learning"
He paused; glanced back at the kneeling
| girl. "You, Mistress Who Seeks to- Hide
Her-Face. teach that parrot not to Taught"
| he added grimly.
| The tapestry waved. Mute the motley
| throng stared where the King had stood.
| A light hand touched the arm of the duke
| fool. and, turning, he beheld the young
woman; her eyes were alight with new fire.
I'm Gods name" she exclaimed, passion
ately, ''let us leave. You have done mis-
chief enough. Follow me-"
''Where'er you WILL" he responded gal
| lantly.
ITO be Continued Tomorrow