Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-12-27

"Long live the king" they shouted,
every fool and zany raising tankard
save the dwarf and the young woman,
the former continuing to glare vindic-
lively upon the usurper and tile latter
to all intent remaining obliyious OF the
ceremony of installation. Poised upon
chair, she idly thrust her fingers
through the gilded bars Of the cage
that hung from the rafters and gently
stroked the head Of the now COM
plaisant bird.
Poor Jocko! Poor Jocko" she mrr-
INJURED.
LA, Ia, lar sang the parrot, re-
sr onsive to her light caress.
Your majesty's wishes! Your maj
esty's decreew exclaimed the monastic
wit worm.
Hear, hear" roared Brusquet.
"Silence." commanded Marot. "His
majesty speaks"
"Toot, toot tootw rang oIt the -four
tsh of trumpet, clarion prelude to
the fat from the throne.
The new king in motley arose, heed
less, devil may care, very erect In his
preposterously pointed shoes.
II appoint you, Thony, treasurer Of
the exchequer, because you are quick
at sleight of hand" he began.
Good" laughed Marot. "An he's
more light fingered than his predeces-
sor. he's q. master Of prestidIgitation"
"You, Brusquet." went on the new
master of Fools hall, II reward with
the government of Guienne, for he
who governs his own house so Ill Is
surely fitted for greater tasks Of In
competency"
This allusion to the petticoat rule
which dominated the luclless jester at
home was received in good part by all
save the hapless domestic bondman
himself.
"You, villot, are made admiral of the
| feet"
yillot smiled, thinking how Francis
had but recently bestowed that office
upon the impoverished husband Of
pretty Nine d'Etaftle.
Thanks, your majesty" he began,
s'but if some post nearer home
"You are to sail at once"
"But my wife,
"Will remain at COURT. announced
the dukes jester with great decision.
villot made wry face. The kilg Ill
motley smiled significantly. a safe
haven. yillot! Besides, remember q
court without ladies Is like Il spring
without flowers"
A movement resembling apprehen'
sion swept through the company. line
| epigram had been Francis; tie court
q flower bed Of roses, was in conse'
quence u thorny maze for Il jester to
tread. From her chair ut the far end
of the room the young woman looked
at the newcomer for the first time
since his enforcement. Her fingers
vet played between the gilded bars
the posture she had assumed set forth
the plant grace of her figure. Above
the others, she glanced ut him. hel
hair very black against the golden
cage: her arm, very white, half uh
sheathed from the great hanging sleeve
"You are overbOld," she said. pc
culiar smile upon her lips.
NAY, have spoken no treason mis-
tress," he retorted blithely.
"Not by word Of mouth, perhaps, bu'
by imputation.'
He raised his brows with a gesture ol
wanton protest, while the face Defort
him clouded. Her eyes held his; hel
little teeth just cleaned between the
crimson of her lips.
81 presume you consider Charles the
more fitting monarch" she continued
Was 1t the disdain Of her voice? Dit
she read his passing thoughts! dc
she challenge him to utter them?
"In truth" the jester said carelessly
"Charles builds fortresses, not pleasure
palaces, and garrisons them with Sol
dIers, not ladies'"
She half smiled; her glance fell; he
hand moved caressingly, the sleeve
waving beneath.
poor Jocko! Poor Jocko" she muir
INJURED.
Triboulet's glance beamed with de
lieht. She was casting her spell owe
his enemy.
"Oh," muttered Triboulet, III til
king could but have heard"
Perhaps it was breath OF air, bu
the tapestry depicting the misadven
lures of Momus waved and moved
Triboulet, who noted everything, say
this and suffered an expression Of tr
umph momentarily to rest upon hi
malignant features. Had his p:ayc
been answered. "A spring withou
flowers" forsooth! Dearly cherishe