The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-18

King. coldly. but never force him My
honor. madam, is dearer to me than my In
terests."
The favorite said no more of a cherished
project, knowing Francis's temper and his
stubbornness when crossed. She merely
shrugged her white shoulders and watched
him closely. The monarch had not scrupled
10 break his covenant with Charles, holding
that treaties made under duress, by force
maJeure, were legally void. while now
But the King was composed of contradtc-
tons, or-was her own influence waning?
She had observed a new expression cross
his countenance when in the retinue of the
Emperor he had noted the daughter of the
constable; such a tenderness as she remem-
bered at Bayonne when the King mad looked
upon her, the duchess, for the first time.
When she next spoke her words were the
outcome of this train of thought.
To think the jestress. Jacqueiine, should
turn out the daughter of that traitor, the
Constable of Dubrois," she observed. keenly.
"A traitor, certainly" said Francis. but
also brave man. Perhaps we pressed him
too hard" he added retrospectiveiy. I'VE
were young in years and hot-tempered."
Your Majesty remembers the girl-a
dark-browed, bold creature?" remarked the
duchess. smiling amiably.
'Dark-browed, perhaps, madam; but OBJ
served nothing bold in her demeanor." an
swered the King
What! a jestress and not bold, A girl
who frequented Fools Hall; who ran away
from court with the PLEASANT" She glanced
at him mischievously, like wiilful child,
UNFAIRLY she clenched her hands.
Madam" he replied cyfically. 'I have
always noticed that women are poor judges
of their own SEX"
And conducting her to seat. he raised her
jeweled fingers perfunctorily to his lips.
and, wheeling abruptly, left her
"Ah!' thought Triboulet. ominously, who
had been closely observing them, 'the King
is much displeased."
Had the duchess observed the monarch s
lack of warmth? At any rate. somewhat per-
no rIoH ha m 6Ctrr
Of the King; then humming lightly. turned
to mirror to adjust a ringlet which had
fallen from the golden net binding her
tresses.
Mere de Deu! woman never held man
or King-by signing" she thought. and
laughed, remembering the Countess of
Chateaubriant: veritable Niobe when the
monarch had sent her home.
But Tribou1et drew a wry face: his little
heart was beating TREMENDOUSLY; dark shad-
ows crossed his mind. Two portentous stars
had appeared in the horoscope of his des-
tiny; he who had been the foreign fool; she
who was the daughter of the constable. AL
most fercely the hunchback surveyed the
beautiful woman before him. With her
downfall would come his own, and he be-
lieved the King had wearied of her. How
hateful was her fair face to him at that
moment. Already in imagination he expert
enced the bitterness of the fall from his high
estates, and shudderingly looked back to his
own lOwly beginning; beggarly street
player of bagpipes; ragged. wretched. i'm
every urchin. But she, meeting his glance
and reading his thought, only clapped her
hands recklessly.
How unhappy you look she said.
Madam, do you think the duke" he be-
gan.
II think he will cut OF your head" she
exclaimed, and Triboulet Turned yellow; blu,
few moments later took heart, the duchess
| was so lightsome.
by my sword-if had one-our jestress
has made triumphant return commented
Caillette as he stood with the Duke of Fried
valid near one of the windows, surveying the
animated scene. Already are some Of the
ladies jealous Barbary pigeons. Her APP
pearance has been remarked by the Due de
and-look! Now the great De Guise APP
proaches her. Here one belongs to every
| body
The other did not answer and Caiilette
| glanced quickly at him. You will not think
me overbold," he went on, after moments
| hesitation, IF mention what is being whis-
pered-by them?" including in look and
the uplifting of his eyebrows the entire
court
The duke laid his hand warmly on the
| shoulder of the poet fool. rs there not thai
between US which precludes the question:
II should not venture to speak about il.
| continued Caillette, meeting the dukes gaze
| frankly. "but that you once honored me
| with your confidence. That I was much
puzzled when / met you and-our erstwhilt
| jestress-matters not Twas for me to dis
miss my wonderment, and not strive to rec
| oncile my neighbours affairs. But when
hear every one talking about my-friend. II
| is no gossips task to come to him with the
| unburdening of the prattle.
What are they saying. Caillette?" asked
the duke. in his eyes darker look.
THAT you would wed this maid but tina,
| the King will use his friendly offices with
| Charles to prevent it."
land do they say why Francis will so use
his influence continued the other.
| Because of the claim such a union Nigh,
give alien house to a. vast estate In
| France; the confscated property of the Con.
stable of Dubrois. And-but the other reason
Caillette's manner quickly changed from
| grave to frivolous. Now, au re,oir; I'm on
| to Fools Hail." he concluded. Whenever Il
becomes dull for you. seek some of your ole
| comrades there" And laughing, Cailletts
| disappeared.
| Thoughtfully the duke continued to OBJ
| serve the jestress Between them whirlec
| the votaries Of pleasure; before him SWEEP
| ears sounded the subtitle enticement of soft
laughter. Her face wore proud. self-relian
| expression; her eyes that look which haC
| made her seem so Elusive from the inception
| of their acquaintance. And now, since hi:
| identity had been revealed. she had seemed
| more puzzling to him than ever. When HI
had sought her glance. her look had tolc
him nothing. 1t was as though with tn
| dofing 0f the motley she had discarded IL.
| recollections. In tentative mood. he hat
striven to fathom her. but found himself a
|
| had she avoided him; to her the past seemed
| a page, lightly read and turned. Had Gail
lette truly said now she belonged to thu
| world?"
Stepping upon one Of the balconies over
| looking the valley; the duke gazed out owe
the tranquil face of nature. his figure draw
aside from the flood of light within. Be
tween heaven and earth. the chateau reared
its stately pile, and far downward thos
twinklng flashes represented the town
yonder faint line. like dark thread tn
| encircling wall. Above the gate shone
glimmer from the narrow easement of SOM
officers quarters; and the testers misgiv
ings when they had ridden beneath the, port
| cullis into the town for the first time, re
| CURED to him; also. the glad haste will
| which they had sped away.
Memories OF dangers, of the free and un
trammeled character Of their wandering
that day-to-day intimacy. and night-to
| night consciousness of her presence haunte'
| him. Her loyalty, her fine sense of com
| radeship, her inherent tenderness. had beef
| revealed to him. Still, he seemed to feel him
| self the jester. in the gathering of fools, an,
| she a mini>-alissa. with dark deep eye
that baffiedO.im.
| The sound of voices near the window
| aroused him from this field of speculation
voices that abruptly riveted his attention
| and held IL; the Kings and Jacuuelnes.
| ITO he Continued Tomorrow.