Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-23

Several of group who had been sing. ing now sat in sullen silence. Suddenly one of them uttered broken sentence and his fellows immediately turned their eyes toward the corner where were fool and jestress. This ripple of interest did not escape the young girls attention, who said uneasily: Why do those men look at us:' "One of them spoke to the others. replied the jester. "He called attention to something"
 What do you suppose it wasT' she asked curiously. "Gladius gemmatus"' t"The jeweled sword.'D
 Whence came the voice? Near the couple, in shadow, sat a woebegone looking man who had been holding q book so close to his eyes as to conceal his face. Now he permitted the volume to fall, and the jester uttered an ex- clamation of surprise as he looked up- on those pinChed. worn. but well re- membered features.
 "The scamp student."' he said. Immediately the reader buried his head once more behind the book and spoke aloud in Latin as though quot ing some passage which he followed with his finger, Did you understand" Yes" answered the plaisant, appar- ently speaking to the iestress, whose face wore a puzzled expression.
 The scamp student laid the volume on the table. "These men are outlaws and intend to kill you for your ieweled sword" he continued in the language of Horace.
 Why do you tell me this ?" asked the fool in the same tongue now address ing directly the scholar. H Because you spared my life once would serve you now.'
 Ii What's all this monks gibberlsh about?" cried an angry voice as the master of the boar stepped toward them.
 "A discussion between two scholars" readily answered the scamp student.
 "Why don't you talk in a language we underestimate" grumbled the man. Latin is the tongue of learning" was the humble response.
 q like not the sound of it." retorted the other as he retired. From a dis tance. however. he continued to cast suspicious glances in their direction. Bewildered, the girl looked from one of the alleged controverters to the other Who was this starveling the jester seemed to know? Again were they conyersing in the language of the mon- astery, and their colloquy led to a con clusion as unexpected as it was star ting
 What if we leave the inn nowr asked the jester.
 They would prevent you"
 "Who is the leader?' ''The man with the boar" answered the scamp student But it Is the morio who usually kills their victims"
 "Is there no way of escape:" the jest CT asked.
 Alas! l can but warn, not advise" said the scholar. Already the leader suspects me-"
 4 half shiyer ran through him. In the presence Uf actual and seemingly assured dc tn he had appeared calm, resigned. Socrates in temperament: before th gere prospect of danger the apprehens thief and fugitive ele- ments of his nature uprose.
 'Yes: I am sure have put my own neck in it." he muttered. "I must de- wise d way to save if. have it. We must seem to quarrel" And. rising. he closed his book deliberately.
 ''Fool"' he said in sharp voice. Your argument is as scurvy as your Latin. Thou. a philosopher. a book less, shallow dabbler! So I treat you and your reasonings!'
 Whereupon. with quick gesture, he threw the dregs of his glass in the face of the jester. So suddenly and unex- pectedly was it done the other sprang bngrily from his seat aud half drew his sword. A moment they stood thus, the fool with his hand menacingly up- on the hilt. the scamp scholar continu ing to confront him with undiminished volatility.
 Make ring for two monks. my masters" cried the man with the boar. Then let each state his case with bludgeon or dagger"
 With bludgeon or dagger!' echoed the excited voice of the mOrio whose appearance had undergone a trans formation. The indescribable vacancy with which he had listened to the min- strel was replaced by an expression of i reyolting malignity.
 The jestress half arose. her face once more white. her dark eyes fastened on tine fool. But the latter. realizing the purpose of the affront and the actual service the scamp student had render 1 ed him. unexpectedly thrust back his 1 blade
 ! I'll not fight a puny book worm he said and resumed his seat. although his cheek was flushed. Disappointed at this tame outcome ! or an affair which had so spirited a be- ginning. :he company. with derisive kcoffing and muttered sarcasm. re- stunned their places: all save the morio. who stood glaring upon the jester. Stab. stab'' he rnuttered through his dry lips. And It that moment the trou- ba'iour played q few chords on his in sirument- The passion fnded from the creatures face Quietly he turned and sought inc chair nearest to the min streI.
 Sing master he said
 'Diable. ;hou srt an unsuitable mon