Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-13

deeper chorus of the royal party. an
accompaniment. as II were. full. yet
unobtrusive. to the hubbub from the
more exalted company.
Singularly pale, unusually tranquil.
the dukes fool fnrtivcly watched his
master and the princess. In contrast
to bis composure Jac1neline's merri-
ncnt seemed the more unrestralfled.
She laughed like a witch. her hands
flashed with pretty gestures, and she
had so tossed her head her hair tloate0
around her. wild and disordered.
''Why are you so quict:' she wilis-
pered to the dukes fool.
as there not enough merriment, mis-
tress?" he answered yravely.
"Thcre can never he any to spare
she said "And you would do well to
remember your Office"
What do you mean" he asked alb
senty.
THAT you have many enemies; that
you cannot live ut court with a jaun-
diced countenance. Heigho. Alacka-
day! You should hle yourself back to
the woods and barren wastes Of Fried
wald, Master Fool
Her sparkling glance returned to the
exhilaratng scene Well had the as
seinblage been called court Of love.
Now soft eyes invited burning glances,
and graceful heads swayed nlluringly
toward the handsome cavaliers who
momentarilr had found Judgment IN
hearts which. like palaces. had many
antechainbers. From hidden recesses
strains OF music filled the room with
tinkliEg passages of sensuous but illu
sive harmony. Il drear OF ardor masked
in the daintness Of n minuet.
Upan the back of the princess chair
rested one of the dukes hands. With
the other he lifted hia glass, a frai
thing ir fingers better adapted for a
| sword hilt or massive battle mace.
Drink. princess. he said, bending
| over her. "to--our meeting
| Her eyelids fluttered before his look
| Her breast rose little. The scar or
his brow held her gaze. as one fasci
mated. but shs drew away slightly ant
mechanically sought the tiny COLDER
| goblet at her elbow. Drcamily, dream
| lily sounded the rhythmica! music
heavily. heavily hung the perfume il
the air. Full Of mist seemed the hall
the king. the queen. the countess, all o.
the party. unreal. fanciful. The tOucl
of the goblet filled her lips. aud sh,
put it down quickly
ais not the wine to your llkinG?' III
asked, his hand tightening Oh he
chair. "Perhaps it is too sour for you
taste"
Nay thought it rather sweet" sh
answered "Oh. mean. not that -
sit is sweet wine princess he said
setting down an empty glass Sweet
er than our Austrian vintage. No
white and thin and watery, but red
red as blood, red as your hearts bloc
OF mine"
Crash. From the hand Of the duke
Jester had ins' u ~.,",ct 10 the door
The princess started. turned For
moment their chances brideed the dis
lance from where she sat to the fools
end of the table. Then hers slow
fell slowly, and she passed a han
|
her brow: looked up. as though one
more to span inhnity with her gaz'
when her eyes fell short and met til
duke. Deliberately he lifted his file
glass.
Red as your hearts blood and min'
my love" he repeated. and then stare
sharply across the table at his jeste:.
Trboulet. staggering in his cha.r $
high his feet could moi touch the foo
surveyed the broken glas' the duk
and the dukes fool.
"IIo. no" he beloved. the better
attract attention to himself. The duk
sent his fool TO amuse his betrothe
and the fool hath lost his heart to h
mistress"
The king left off his whisperin
Cathnrinc turned from the chancello
; Diane ceased furtively to regard Cal
lette. while the queen Of Navarl
laughed nervously and murmured:
"Princess and jester! 1t will NAL
z another tale"
But Henry Of Navarro looked grav
" down He and Francis queen.
passive spectator al the 1eaSt. ana
I' bishop whose interest lay in Il truti1'
capon alone followed not the directit
Of the dukes eyes The fair favori
= of the king clapped her hands. but Il
monarch frowneG. not having forge
+ ten that night in Fools hall when Il
u jester had appointed rognes to offices
"What is this? A fool in love wi
= the princess:" said the king ominous
. even SO. your majesty" cried r
r. boulet. But a moment ago Duke Re
~ ert did whisper to his bride to be. al