Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-14

In RAV W Lcn HC bCut oNSi thS
:S12G PROSTATE figure of the dukes
p!aisant after the free baron had de-
parted.
Day after day passed and still the
vital spark burned; perhaps it waver-
ed. but in this extremity the jester
had not been entirely neglected. But
vino had befriended him. assisting the
spirit and the flesh to maintain their
unilication. lie did not learn until some
time later. Youth and strong con
stitutiOn were also Il shield against
the final change. and when he began
to mend and his heartbeats grew
stronger, even the jailer. his erstwhilc
assailant. the most callous of his sew
eral keepers. exhibited Il stony interest
In this unusual convalescence.
The touch of hand was the plai-
SAINTS first impression of returning con-
sciousness. and then into his throbbing
brain crept the outlines Of the prison
walls and the small window that
grudgingly admitted the light. To his
confused thoughts these surroundings
recalled the struggle with the free bar
on and the jailer. AS across dark
chasm he saw the face Of the false
duke. whereon wonder and conviction
had given Way to brutal rage. and.
with the memory Of that treacherOus
blow. the fool half started from his
couch. As he did so the figure Of the
woman, who had again noiselessly en-
tered the cell, stepped forward and
stood near the couch.
"Are you better" she asked.
He raised himself on his elbow. sur
prised at the unexpected appearance
Of his visitor.
"Jacquelinew he said wonderingly,
recognizing the features Of the jocula-
trix. 81 must have been unconscious
all night" And he stared from her to-
ward the window.
"Yes," she returned, with peculiar
smile. "all night" And, bending over
him, she held a receptacle to his lips,
from which he mechanically drank a
broth. warm and refreshing, the while
he endeavored to account for the
strangeness of her presence in the cell.
She placed the bowl OH the floor and
then, Strengthening her slim figure,
again regarded him.
"You are improving fast" she COM
mented rehectively.
Thanks 20 your sovereign mixture,
he answered. lifting hand to his
bandaged head and striving to collect
his scattered ideas. which already
seemed to flow more consecutively.
The pain which had rucked his brow
lad grown perceptibly less since his
last deep slumber, and grateful
warmth diffused itself In his veins
with a growing assurance of physical
relief. But may ask how you came
here?" he continued, perpleXity, min
CLING with the sense of temporary IAN
guor that stole over him.
81 heard the duke tell the king you
had attacked him and he had struck
you down." she replied after pause.
His face darkened. His head throb-
bed once more. With his fingers he
idly picked at the straw.
"And the king, Of course, believed
he said. "Oh, credulous king" he add
ed scornfully. WAS ever monarch
so easily befooled? A judge of men!
No: ruler who trusts rather to for
tune and blind destiny. Unlike Charles,
he looks not through men, but at
them"
"Think no more of It," she broke in
hastily, seeing the effect Of her words.
NAY, good Jacqueline," quickly re-
torted the jester. "The truth. pray
you. Believe me, shall mend the
sooner for it. What said the duke, as
he calls himself"
"Why, he shook his head ruefully,"
answered the girl, not noticing his res
ervation. Your majesty he said,
for the memory Of bygone bubbles l
sought him, but found him not, alack,
OH the stool of repentance.
HE Is the best Jester Of us ALL" he
muttered. "And then?" fastening his
eyes upon hers.
"'No sooner, sire went on the duke,
had l entered the cell than he rushed
upon me. and. 1t grieves me. / used
the wit snapper roughly So." folding
her hands before her and gazing at the
plaisant, II cen came to see II you
were killed"
"You came" he said. Eyes, but
how?'
"What matters 1T? she answered.