Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-23

his eyes a look which Caillette afterward
understood. AS it was, the latter nodded
his head wisely.
"A woman whose fancy is touched is
what she is" he commented generally
Truly, 1t would be a more thankless task
even, than approaching the king. For wo-
men were ever creatures Of caprice, not
to be governed by any court of logic but
by the whimsical, fantastic rules % Mar
guerite's court. Court! he exclaimed
The word suggests law, reason. where
merit hath justice. Call it not loves court,
but loves caprice or crochet. But look
you. there's another channel to the prin-
cess mind--yOnder black-browed maid-our
ally in motley-when she chooses to wear il
-Jacqueline."
She likes me not" returned the fool
Would she believe me in such an i'm
portant matter?'
I'm afraid not" TRANQUILITY replied Call
lette. lin view of the improbabilty of your
| tale and the undoubted credentials held by
this pretender> For nay part, to look at the
fellow was almost enough. But to the
ladies his brutality signifeth strength and
power and his uncouthness originality and
genius. Marguerite. even, Is prepossessed
in his favor and has written a platonic
poem in his honor AS for the princess"
pressing the others arm gently do you
not know. mon ami, that women are all
alike? There is but one they obey-tha
king-that is as high as their ambitions can
reach. and even him they deceive. Why
u
time for gossip. We are fools. you and L.
and love. my friend. is but broad farce at
the best
Even as he spoke thus. however, from tire
lists came the voices of the well-instructeI
heralds secretaries Of the occa sion who
had delved deeply into the practices Of the
merry and ancient pastfme: Love Of
ladies'! For you and glory. Chivalry but
fights for love. Look down, fair eyes"
peroratton which was answered with many
lana nf oil frnr thn lIArf
and which the gorgeously dressed GrSciaIs
readily unbent to gather. Among the fair
hands which rewarded this perfunctory
apostrophe to the tender passion none was
more lavish In offerings than those ma
irons and maids in ths vicinity of the king.
satfrical smile again marred Caillettes
| face, but he kept his reflections to himself
reverting to the business of the moment.
Il should be off at oncer' he cried But
what can we do? The king hath command
ed all the testers to appear in the tourna-
ment today, properly armed and armored,
the better to make sprightlier sport amid
the ponderous pastime of the knights. Here
am l bound to shine on horseback. willy
nilly Yet this matter of yours is pressing
Stay! l have it. I can cen fall from my
horse, by a ruse, retire from the field and
fly southwark"
Then will 1 wish you Godspeed. now
said the dukes fool Never was a stanch-
er heart than thine. Caillette. or a truer
friend"
Zone word" returned the other not with
out a trace Of feeling which even his Gym
icism could not hide. Beware of the false
duke in the arena! 1t will be his opportuni-
ty to-
Il understand" answered the dukes fool.
again warmly pressing Caillette's hand,
''but with the knowledge you fleeing
to Spain have no fear for the future. If
we meet not after today
why, Hfe's but a span. and our friend
ship has been short, but sweet" added the
other.
Now ryftho,,t eo,,,dod Aouryeb ~ tr,,,,,
pets and every glance was expectantly
down-turned from the crowded stand. as
with a clatter of hoofs and waving of
plumes Frances young chfvalry dashed into
the lists, divided into two parties, torSs
their respective places and. at a signal from
the musicians started impetuously against
one another.
CTo be continued tomorrow.)