The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-10

CIV l'iS'' sire! mufmured the favorite,
and without further words Francis
acquiesced. proffering his arm to his
companion.
Masquc, costume ball. ballet, ii was
oil one to the king and the court. who
never wearied of the divcrting vagaries
OF the dance. Now. studying that pan-
tomimle group of merrymakers, In the
rhythmical expression Of action. and
movement could almost be read the In
nuence and relative positions of the
fair revelers.
There. I've danced enoughr' said n
painting voice, and Jacqucline, breath
less. paused before the dukes fool.
who stood 4 motionless spectator of the
revelry. In his rich costume of blue
ana 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.
"one more turn. fair Jacqueliner'
suggested Marot, her partner in the
dance.
Not one," she answered.
us that a dismissal?" he asked
lightly.
"'Tis for you to determine" retorted
the maid.
"Modesty forbids I should interpret
it to my DESIRES" he returned, laugh
ing, as he disappeared.
Tall, seeming straighter than usual.
upon each cheek a festal rose. she stood
before the dukes plaisant. inscrutable.
0s was her fashion. the scarf about her
shoulders just stirring from the effects
OF the dance and her lips parted to her
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.
tesy""
"You mean It was directed by inten
tion!' he asked indifferently.
Not only that" she answered. az
mean that the disk had been removed
and the point left bare"
"a mistake, of course" he said, with
a peculiar smile.
a look of impatience crossed her face,
but she gaZe'l 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 l noticed the duke and his
trooper talking together. When they
separated, the latter, unobserved, as
he 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 q moment
later
"You mean 1t can serve you nothing?
Perhaps you are right. Today you were
lucky. Tomorrow you may be-whatf
Today you defended yourself well, and
1t was good lance you bore. Had it
been any other jester the king would
have praised him. Because it was you
no word has been spoken. If anything,
your success has annoyed him. Several
of the court spoke of it. He answered
not. 'Tis the signal to ignore it and
your
'Then are you courageous to brave
public opinion and hold converse with
mef" he replied, with smile.
"Public opinion!" she exclaimed. with
flashing eyes. "What would they say
Of a jestress? Who Is she7 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 on his own
responsibility. The duke could not,
would not, countenance such baseness."
"You have good opinion of him,
gentle mistress" he said in tone that
exasperated her.
"Who has notT' 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
endT 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 infiexible.
why" she remarked, there am
wasting time talking when the music
is playing and every one is dancing.
Even now I see courtier approaching
who has thrice importuned me-" And
the Jestress vanished In the throng as
abruptly as she had appeared.
ThouphtfuIlv tho auke,a fool lonkad