Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-07

lence: near him a toy-like fountain
whispered very softly and confidential,
ly. Through the foliage the figures
moved and moved; OH the air the music
fell and rose, thin in Orchestration, yet
brightly penetrating in sparkling de-
tail. Buoyant were the violins, spor'
tive the flutes, all alive the gitterns,
blithesome the tripping arpeggios that
crisply fell from the strings Of the Joy.
Gus harps.
The rustling Of gown admonished
him he was not alone, ard, looking
around amid the crimson flowers, to
his startled gaze appeared the face OF
her of whom he was thinking; above
the broad. white brow shone the radi.
ance of hair, gold that was almost
bronze in that dim light; through the
green tangle Of shrubbery, q silver slip
per.
"Ah, 1t is you, -foolr' she said Ian
guidly. 1t may be he contrasted the
Indifference of her tones now with the
unconscious softness Of her voice when
she had addressed him on another oc
casiop-in another garden-for his face
flushed and he would have turned
abruptly When
"Oh, you may remain" she added
carelessly. The duke has but left
me. He received message that the
man hurt in the lists was most anxious
to see him"
Into the whirl Of his reflections her
words insinuated themselves. Why had
the free baron gone to the trooper
What made his presence so imperative
at the bedside of the soldier that De
had abruptly abandoned the festivities
Surely more than mere anxiety for the
mans welfare. The jester looked at
the princess for the answer to these
questions. but her face was cold, smil
ing, unresponsive. In the basin OF
the fountain tiny fish played and dart
ed. and as his eyes turned from heI
to them they appeared as swift and H.
lusive as his own surging fancies.
"The-duke, madam, is most solicit
GUS about his men," he said in Il voice
which sounded strangely calm.
"a good leader has always in mind
the welfare of his soldiers she replied
briefly.
Her hand played among the bios
SONS. Over the flowers she looked at
him. Her features and arms were OF
the "culptured roundness Of marble
but ;he rejection of the roses bathed
her in the warm hue Of life. As he met
her gaze the illumined pages Of book
seemed turning before his eyes. Did
she remember?
She could not but perceive his emo
ton, the tribute Of glance beyond
control. despite the proud immobility
of his features.
"Sit here, fool" she said. not unkind'
ly, land you may tell me more about
the duke. his exploits-of that battle
when he saved the life Of the emperor.
The Jester made no move to obey,
but, looking down, answered. coldly
"The duke, madam, likes not to have
his poor deeds exploited
Poor deeds! she returned and
seemed about to reply more sharply
when something In his face held hel
silent.
Leaning her head OH her hand. she
appeared to forget his presence. mo
tionless save for foot that waved to
and fro, betraying her restless mood
The sound of her dress, the swaying OF
the foot, held his attention. In that lit
tie bower the air was almost sitting
laden with the perfume of many flow
ers. Even the song Of the birds grew
fainter. Only the tiny fountain. more
assertive than ever, became louder ant
louder. The princess breathed deeply
half arose. A vine caught in her hair
She stopped to disentangle it. then hell
herself erect.
How close 1t Is in here!" she mur
INJURED, arranging the tress the plant
had disturbed. go to the door. fool
and see if you can fiEd your master"
Involuntarily he had stepped toward
her. us though to assist her. but now
stopped. His face changed. He even
laughed. That last word from her lips
seemed to break the spell Of self con
troll that held him.
"Aly master" he said in a hard
scoliing tone. "Whom mean yOu-tht
man who left you to go to tie soldier
That blusterer my master. That swag
gering Troopers"
Her inertness vanished. The suddel
anger and wOnderment in her eyes
met the passion in his.
"How dare you-dare YOU she be
gan.
HE is neither my master nor th'
duke, but a mere freebooter, n noun
tain terrorist"
Pride and contempt replaced her sur
prise. but indignation still remained
His audacity in coming to her will
this falsehoOd, his hardihOod In main
tanning it, admitted Of but one expla
nation. BY her complaisance In th'
past she had famed the embers Of ,
passion which now burst beyond con
troll. She realized how more than fai
she looked that evening. Had she no
heard It from many? Had not the eye
of the kings guest told her? And sh'
believed that this lie must have sprun;
to the testers lips while he was re
garling her.
AS the solution crossed her mind. re
yealing the plaisant, a desperate ant
despicable rs well rs lowly wOoer. he
face relaxed. In the desire to test he
conclusion she laughed quietly. mu
sically. Cruelty kind smiled the prin
cess.
"You are mad" she breathed softly
"You are mad - because - becaus
you
He started. studying her eagerly. IL
fancied he read relenting softness Il
her gaze, a flash Of memory into
past. where glamour and romance ant
the heart history Of the rose made NJ
life's desideratum, wherein existenc
was but an allegory Of loves quest AM
the goal its consummation. Had sh
not bent sedulously over the rose or III
poet? Had not her breath come quick
ly, eagerly? Could he not feel It ye'
sweet and warm on his cheek? Int
the past. having gone 80 far, he step
ped now boldly. as though to gras
again those illuslve colors and seiz
o +bo ;nt,ny;hla substance III