Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-27

Nothing; everything. Farewell. sweet
jestress. I must trust to ether meanA
and-thank you."
The outstretched hand she seemed
not to see, but tapped the door Of the
cell yet more impatiently with her
foot, as was her fashion when angered.
Here was the prison door open and the
csptive, enamored Of confinement, at
the eliminating point conjuring rea-
sons why he should not Zee. To have
gone thus far, to have eliminated the
Taller and then to draw back, with the
keys in his hand-truly no scene In q
comedy could be more extravagant.
The girl laughed nervously.
what cyclists men arey' she said.
GOOD Sir Jester, in offering you liber.
ty am serving myself-myself, you
UNDERESTIMATE she repeated. "Let us
hasten on, lest in defeating your own
purpose you defeat mine.'
what will you answer when he"-
Indicating the drugged turnkey-"ac.
fuses your
was ever such perversity" was all
the deigned to reply, biting her lip.
You are somewhat willful yourself.
JacQuellne," he retorted. with that
smile which 20 exasperated her.
Listen" she said Mt length, slowly,
lmpressively. "You need have no fear
for me when you go. tell you that
more danger remains to me by your
staying than in your going; that your
| obstinacy leaves me unprotected; that
| -FOUR compliance would be boon to
DC. BY the memory of my mother,
by the truth Of this holy book"-draw-
ing little volume passionately from
her bosom--"I swear to what I have
told YOU" Eagerly her eyes met his
searching gnze. and he read in their
depths only truth and candor. II
have quest for you. 1t concerns my
life, my happiness. All have done
for you has been for this end"
Her eyes fell, but she raised them
again quickly. Twill you accept a
mission tom one who is not n prin
cess?'
name her not" exclaimed the jest
er sharply. and then. recovering him
self, added less brusquely, what il
it you want, mistressy'
This is no time nor place to tell it.
she went on rapidly. seeing by his fac
that his logged humor had melted be
fore her appeal. but soon, before W.
part. you shall know all-what it Is
wish to intrust in your hands,"
a moment she waited. Your argu
ment is unanswerable, Jacqueline," b
said finally. Il own myself puzzled
but believe you. sO-have your way
This cloak, then" handing him
garment she had brought with hel
throw it over you," she CONTINUES
hurriedly. "Tf we meet any one it ma
serve as a disguise. And here Is
sword" bringing forth weapon tina
she had carried concealed beneath
flowing mantle. Can you use it,
II can but try, JacQueline." he re
piled, fastening the girdle about hi
waist and half drawing and the
thrusting the blade back into the scat
bard. ut seems a priceless weapon,
he added. his eye lingering on the ricf
~ inlaid hilt. land has doubtless bee
welded by gallant hand"
Speak not of that" she retorte
! sharply. strange fash in her eye
"de who handled it was the braves
they left the cell, he locking the doc
. behind him.
Down the dimly lighted passage st
walked rapidly, while the jester tract.
bly, and silently followed. CONFIDENT.
knowing well the puzzling interiC
plan Of the old pile, she traversed til
labyrinth that was to lead them will
3 out, finally pausing before sma
door. which she tried.
!. Usually it is unlocked" she said /
surprise. II never knew it fastene
before"
;, us that our only way out!"
: THE only safe way. Perhaps one {
the keys
3 But he had already knelt before th
t door, and the young girl watched hi
with obvious anxiety. He vainly e.
? sayed all the keys save one. and ths
! he now streve to fit to the lock.
slipped in snugly and the stubbor
: bolt shot back
Y Entering, he closed the door benin
them and hastily looked around, di
covering that they stood in a crypt. tn
= central part Of which was occupied b
! burial vault. In the crypt chape
l. were number of statues in marb
0 and bronze, most Of them rude. nj
j tique, vet not of Indifferent workman
8 ship, especially one before which tn
e jestress. in spite Of the exigency {
u the moment, stopped as il impelled b
:. an irresistible impulse. This mon,
t ment, SO read the inscription, had bee
r erected by the renowned constable {
Dubrois to his young and faithf,
cOnsort Anne.
But part of a minute the ri
gaZed. with new and softened e.
preston, upon the marble likeness
the last fair mistress of the castle al
then hurriedly crossed the old mosa
pavement. reaching narrow flight
stairs, which she swiftly ascended.
door that yielded to the FOOLS shou
der led into deserted court, on OF
side of which were the crumbling wal
of the chapel. Here several dark birt
perched uncannily on the dead brant
of massive oak that had been sha
tered by lightning. In its desolatit
the oak might have been typical
the proud family. once rulers of Il
castle. whose corporal strength b,
long since mingled with the element
no