Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-07
"Approach, Bon VOuloirw command.

Approach, Bon Vouloir" command.
ed the queen Of love.
The maids uncovered the gift, the
customary chaplet Of beaten gold. and
as the free baron bowed his head the
princess with q firm hand fulfilled the
functions of her Office. Rising, Bon
NOulOir, amid the eXclamatiOnS Of the
court. claimed the privilege that went
with the bauble. A moment he looked
at the princess: she seemed to bend
beneath Ii; regard: then, leaning for
ward. deliberately rather than ardent
ly he touched her cheek with his lips.
Those who watched the queen of love
closely obsc:, e;i her face become paler
AID her fOr,. tremble but in Il moment
shc WAS again mistress of herself. her
feature; piOuder and colder than be-
fore.
~; it yoG" pleasure to open the fes-
tivi:ies. sire:" nurmured the favorite.
AMI without further words Francis
acuuieGced. proffcring his arm to his
companion.
Masque, costume ball. ballet. it was
all one to the king and the court, who
never wearied of the diverting vagaries
Of the dance. Now, studying that pan
tOmimic group of merrymakers. in the
rhythmical expression of action and
movement could almost be read the in
fluence and relative positions Of the
fair revelers.
"There, I've danced enough said n
painting voice. and Jacqueline. breath
less. paused before the dukes fool,
who stood Il motionless spectator of the
revelry. In his rich costume Of blue
and white the figure Of the foreign
jester presented fair and striking
appearance. but his face. proud and
composed, was wanting in that spirit
which animated the features Of his fel-
lows in motley.
zone more turn, fair Jacqueline?'
suggested Marot. her partner in the
dance.
Not one" she answered.
"ls that Dismissal? he asked
lightly.
"'Tis for you to determine" retortel
the maid.
"Modcsty forbids should interpret
it to my desires" he returned, laugh.
ing. as he disappeared.
Tall. seeming struighter than usual.
upon each cheek festal rose. she stood
before the dukes plaisant. inscrutable,
as was her fashion. the scarf about her
shoulders just stirring from the effects
of the dance and her lips parted to hei
hurried breathing.
"How did you like the ceremony"
she asked quietly. "And did you
know" she went on, without noticing
the dark look in his eyes or awaiting
his response, ''the lance turned upon
you today was not weapon Of cour'
tesyT"
"You mean it was directed by inten'
tion! he asked indifferently.
"Not only that" she answered. II
mean that the disk had been removed
and the point left bare"
IL i...s.anc. ri rJLroc. lie said, with
Il pccii..ar si.iiic.
\ look of impatieace crossed her face,
but sic gageu ut him intently, and her
eyes held his from the floor, where they
would have strayed.
Are you stupid, or do you but pro-
fess to be-" she demanded. Before
the tilt noticed the duke and his
trooper talking together. When they
separated, the latter unobserved, as
lie thought, struck the point OF his
weapon against his stirrup. The disk
fell to the ground"
Your glance is sharp, Jacqueline,'
he retorted slowly. THANK you for
the information"
Her eyes kindled. An angry retort
seemed about to spring from her lips.
1t was with difficulty she controlled
herself to answer calmly moment
later.
"You mean it can serve you nothing!
Perhaps you are right. Today you were
lucky. Tomorrow you may be-whnt
Today you defended yourself well, and
1t was a good lance you bore. Had II
been any other jester the king would
have praised him. Because it was you
no word has been spoken. IL anything.
your success has annoyed him. Several
of the court spoke of it. He answered
not. IT'S the signal to ignore it and
you"
"Then are you courageous to brave
public opinion and hold converse with
me?" he replied. with smile.
Public opinion!' she exclaimed. with
flashing eyes. what would they say
of jestress? Who is she? What is
she"
She ended abruptly, bit her lips
showing her cleaning white teeth.
Then some emotion more profound
swept over her expressive face. She
looked at him silently, and when she
spoke her voice was more gentle.
81 cannot believe" she continued
thoughtfully, that the duke told his
trooper to do that. 'Tis too infamous
The man must have acted oil his own
responsibility. The duke could not
would not, cOuntenance such haseness.
"You have good opinion of him.
gentle mistress" he said in tone that
exasperated her.
"Who has not?" she retorted sharply
HE is as brave as he is distinguished
Farewell! If you served him better
and yourself less YOU
would serve myself better in the
end?" he interrupted satirically
"Thanks, good Jacqueline. A woman
makes an excellent counselor"
Disdainfully she smiled. Her face
grew cold. Her figure looked never
more erect and infexible.
"Why," she remarked, "here am
wasting time talking when the music
is playing and every one Is dancing
Even now l see cOurtier approaching
who has thrice importuned me-" And
the iestress vanished In the throng al
abruptly as she had appeared.
Thoughtfully the dukes fool looked
not after her, but toward far end Of
the pavilion where he last had seen
the princess and her betrOthed.
"Caillette should now be well on hif
way" he told himself. mo one mas
vet missed him. or IL they do notice
his absence they will attribute 1t to his
/ t..f.