Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-18


 |" dukes fool moved as best he |NzSry5I might to and fro within the (EzzGxy narrow confines of his jail. The events which had led to his incar- ceration were so recent he had hardly yet brought himself to realize their full significance. Neither Francis anger nor the free barons covert satisfaction during the scene following their abrupt appearance in the bower of roses had greatly weighed upon him, but not so the attitude of the princess.
 How vividly all the details stood out in his brain--the sudden transitions of her manner; her seeming interest in his passionate words: her eyes, friendly, tender, as he had once known them, then portentous silence, frozen dis
 dain! Into the marble-like pallOr of her face a faint flush had seemed to in sinuate itself, but the words had drop ped easily from her lips, Are all the fools of your country so presumptuous, my lord?" \ Above the other distinctive features
 of that tragic night to the pla1sant
 this question had reiterated itself per-
 slstently in the solitude of his cell.
 From her height could she not have
 spared him the scorn and contempt of
 her question? Over and over through
 the long hours he had asked himself
 that, and as he brooded the idealiZa
 lion with which he had adorned her
 fell like an enshrouding drapery to the
 dust Of tie vestment of fancy noth-
 ing but tatters remained.
 A voice without, harsh. abrupt, broke in upon the testers thoughts. A key
 was inserted in the lock, and, with a
 creaking of bolts and grooming of
 hinges. the warder swung back the iron
 barrier Upon the threshold stood the commanding figure of the free baron. A moment he remained thus and then, with an authoritative gesture to the
 man, stepped inside. The turnkey
 withdrew to discreet distance, where
 he remained within call. yet beyond
 the range of ordinary conversation. I'm
 movahly the kings guest gazed upon
 the jester. who. unabashed. calmly en-
 durcd the scrutiny.
 "Well, fool" began the free baron
 bluntly. "how like you your quarters?
 You fought me well-in truth. very
 well. But you labored under disad-
 vantage. for one thing is certain-a
 jester in love is doubly a fool"
 "Is that what you have come to
 say;' asked the plaisant, his bright
 glance fastened on the others conf
 dent face.
 : ''I came to return the visit you once
 made me" easily retorted the master of Hochfels. By this time you have
 probably learned am an opponent to be feared
 'As one fears the assassin's knife or ! q treacherous onslaught said the fool. Did I not say when you left that ; night the truce was over:" returned the kings guest. frowning.
 1; True was the ironical answer. . "Forewarned, forearmed. And that sort of warfare was to be expected l Well" unreservedly replied the free baron, who for reasons of bis own chose not to challenge the affront, ''in P those two instances You were not
 worsted. And. as for the trooper who |. attacked you. I know not whether your r lance or the doctors lancet is responsi- ble for his taking off. But you met him with true attaint. You would have b made a good soldier. It is to be regret
 ted you did not place your fortune with mine. But if is too late now. Yes answered the plaisant. 'it Is l. too late
 In the fools countenance 1T his man F ner the kings guest sought confirma ton of the dying troopers words: also was he fencing for such additional in formation as he might glean. and for : this purpose had he come. Had the emperor really gone tc Spain: The sol dIcr's assurance had been so faint sometimes the free baron wondered If > he had heard alright or if he had cor s' rectIy interpreted the meager message He hoped to provoke from the plaE q sant some expression of self content Tn . his plans for tbe future.
 l. What If he offered the fool clemen
 cy: asked the princess betrothe,i of , ] himself. If the jester had confidence in the future he would naturally ra;h U CT remain in the narrow confines of his
 dark chapber than consider proposals from one whom he believed he would F yet overcome.
 -why.- he said patronizingIy. survey l. ing the slender figure of the fool "a t- good man should die by the sword a rather than % to the scaffold- If gel the king to forgive you and the prin
 cess to overlook your offense will you l. well and truthfuIIy serve meT -Never- answered the fool promptly
 -He Is sure the messs9e will reach