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


silence is golden; his speech was
dross."
And yet" answered Marot thought,
fully. the king esteems him-the king,
who is Mt once scholar, poet, wit, SOL
der
Soldier" she exclaimed quickly,
"when he cannot conquer Italy and
regain his heritage!'
"Cannot?" ventured Triboulet, mind
full of the dignity Of his royal master.
"Why not?"
Because the women would conquer
him."
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 Jacqueline, out Of his majes-
tvs good graces," interposed one Of the
lesser testers, mere baron's hireling,
who long had burned with secret ad-
miration for the maid Of the cOquet-
tish cap.
81 am such a fool as to want the
good graces Of no man or monarch!'
she replied boldly, without glancing at
the speaker.
"An he were in love you would be
two FOOLS" laughed Caillette, the court
poet.
"In love tits only the man Is the fool
or the fooled" she returned pointedly,
and Caillette, despite his self posses
sion, flushed painfully. Since Diane
de Poitiers had welded her ancient
lord the poet had become grave. stu
dious, almost sad.
"And is your mistress. the kings
ward, fooling with her betrothed?" he
asked quickly, conscious Of knowing
winks and nudges.
"The Princess Louise and the Duke
of Friedwald are to wed for reasons of
state" said the young woman gravely.
''Thee'll be no FOOLS"
"Ah, a loveless match!'
But not landless one." retorted
she of the cap without the bells. BE
sides. it cements the friendship Of
Francis and Charles v. What more
would you? But I'll tell you a secret"
At that the company flocked around
her as though there was something en-
ticing In her tone, the vague promise
of an interesting bit Of gossip or the
indefinite suggestion Of court scan
dal.
A, .o.otv, ,otd Tho cordinol'e foal
rubbing his hands together. His mas,
ter often rewarded him for particular
ly choice morsels Of loose little tattlc.
ooh, nothing very wicked" she an
swered, waving them back with her
small hand. ""Tis only that they play
at make believe in love, the princess
and her betrothed! But, after all, 1t Is
far more sensible than real lovemak-
ing. where If the pleasure be more
acute the pangs are therefore the
greater. She addresses to him the
tenderest counterfeit verses; he returns
them in kind. She even simulated such
an illusory sadness that the duke has
sent his own jester, who has but just
arrived at court, to amuse her (ahemD
dullness until he himself could Gomez
At this the cardinals buffoon looked
disappointed. for. his master liked
more highly favored hearsay, while
Triboulet frowned and brought down
his heavy fist upons the arm OF the
throne.
"a new jester, forsooth" he exclaim-
ed.
"And why not?" lifting her swart
brows qulzzicNlly.
1--WE are already overstocked with
prentice fools" he retorted, looking
over the throng.
"Ah, you fear perhaps some one may
depose y6u:" remarked Jacqucline cold'
ly.
A guarded laugh arose from the
gathering, and the dwarf's eyes gleam-
cd.
"Depose me, Triboulet" he shouted,
Using "Trlboulet is sovereign lord OF
all at whom he mOcks! His wand Is
mightier than an episcopal miter!"
In his overweening rage and vanity
he fairly crouched before the throne,
eying them all like cat. His thick
lips trembled; his eyes became blood
shot. He forget all prudence.
Doth not the king himself seek my
adviceY He laughed horribly. Hath
mt narhons many n fair gentleman