Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-17

AN nrJ.mcnt sharp Us Il Wedtc.
Francis wine or tie i..,....I..tiJn Of the
princess eyes. Although tie nobleS
glance seelaeI bent OH v;tc:Ecy. ii WAS
himself as well as others he was study
Ing, weighing the memorable events OF
the evening, recalling to mind every
word with the princess, reviewing her
features, the softening of her cold dis
lain, now mentally distrustful because
D!e was a woman, again confident he
already dominated the citadel Of her
heart.
The clear tinkling Of bell broke In
upon his cogitution, faint musical
sound that seemed at his very elbow.
He wheeled about abruptly, saw moth
Ing save the mysterious shadows of the
curtains, tile Pickering lamps. the dark
outline of the canopy Of the great bed.
Instinctively he knew lie was not alone,
and yet his gaze, rapidly sweeping the
apartment, failed to perceive an i'll
truder.
Again the tinkling, low laugh. and,
turning sharply toward an alcove from
whence the sounds came, the duke,
through the half light and trailing,
sombrous shadows Of its entrance, per-
ceiyed u figure in Il chair. From cam
die set in spiked enameled stick
yellow glimmering that came and went
with the sputtering flame rested upon
an ironical face, a graceful fSure III
motley and a wand with the testers
head and the bell. Without rising the
plaisant quizzically regarded the sur
prised kbbleman, who in spite OF his
self control had stepped back involun-
tarily ut the suddenness of the encoun-
ter.
Good evening, my lord" said the
fool. Il am like the genii of the tale.
You think of me and l appear.
Regaining his composure ut once, the
kings guest bent his heavy brows over
his deep set eyes and deliberately sur
veyed the fool.
"And now," went on the jester gay
ly, 1T is In your mind l am like as sud
denly disappear! Am ut fault"
ION the contrary, you are unusually
clear witted," was the answer.
"Oh, my lord, you Overestimate my
poor capacity returned the noble
mans unasked caller, with depreca-
tory gesture.
The hands of the other worked impa-
tiently. His herculean figure blocked
the doorway. You are merry fel'
low" he observed. 1T is to be regret
ted. but-confess you have brought 1t
upon yourself"
What? My fate? Oh, yes!" And he
indifferently regarded the wand ana
the wooden figure upon 1t without NOV
ing from the chair.
you have no fear% questioned the
duke quietly.
"Fear: Why should II"
Yawning, the fool stretched his arms
looking not ut the nobleman. but be-
yond him, and instinctively the prin'
cess betrothel peered over his shoui-
der In the semidarkness behind. while
his hand quickly sought his sword.
"Fie. most noble duke! eXclalmeI
the Jester. 1--WE have no eavesdroppers
or interlopers, believe me. We are ell
tirely alone. you and l, master anu
fool. There, come no nearer. beg" as
the nobleman menacingly moved TO-
ward him.
"Have you any argument to advance,
Sir Fool, why should notT said the
other grimly. a gleam of amusement
denoted Oh his broad face as he paused
the while.
"An argument sharp as needle,
somewhat longer" replied the jester,
touching his breast and drawing from
between the folds of his dOublet shin
ing hilt.
Harsh and loud laughed the kings
gues.. "You fool" he said. you had
your opportunity below there in the
hall :.nd missed 1t. You hesitated. went
h!inC!r another course. and now," with
ominous meaning, ".Ou are here!
Tnol the stick candle drlppei.
sp,tierei and went out. The irsi""
bent forward and with the copper
snuffer on the table near by deftly
trimmed the remaining light.
"Only fools fight in darkness" he re-
marked quietly, land here is but one
Of tnem."
You pit yourself and that-plny-
thing-against me-" asked the burly
soldier derisively.
"Have you hunted the wild boar. my
| lord?" lightly answered the other
How mighty it Is. How savage
What tus.:s! You know TIE pastimel
| A quick step. Il sure arm. an eye liKt
| lightning--presto!- boar lies on