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

| Moody.
Remain but fools!'
With tho eyes of the company upon
him tie dukes fool impassively stud
led tie carven figure on his stick. II
hc felt fear of the kings anger. tie re-
sent: cnt Of his master or the malice of
| tie dwarf his countenance now did not
bctray it. He had seemed about to
s:.cak. but did not.
"Well. rascal. Well" called out the
king. dc you think Your wand will
save you. sirrah" he added inpatient
ly.
"Why not, sire" TRANQUILITY answered
the jester.
The dukes face grew more and more
ominous. Still the fool, looking up. did
not quail, but met his masters glance
freely, and those who observed noted
It was tie duke who first turned away,
although his jaw was set and his great
fist clinched. Swiftly the TESTERS gaze
again sought the princess, but she had
plucked spray Of blossom from the
table and was holding 1t to her lips,
mindlessly biting the fragrant leaves
and those WHO followed the FOOLS
glance saw in her but picture OF
languid unconcern such as became a
kinswoman Of the king. !
Almost impercept!bly the brow OF the
pl,isant clouded. but recovering him.
self. lie confronted the KIN. with al
enigmat:c smile.
why not:" he repeated. I'm the
court of love is not the FOOLS wand
greater than kings miter or the
pastoral STAFF of the Able de Lys: Be
sides. sire" he added quickly, las u
fool takes it. in the court Of love. mi
TO love-is treason"
Good" murmured the bishop, still
eating. Not to love is treason.'
"Who alone is the culprit: Whose
heart alone is filled with umbrage,
hatred. piIue?"
''.rboulet! Triboulet, the tra!tor!
tudtieniy cried the countess. sprightly
Is !, child.
"Yes: Triboulet. the traitor" ex-
claimed the fool, pointing the wand of
folly ut the hunchback.
Even Francis offended face relaxed.
Positively, l shall never hang this
fellow" he said grimly to Marguerite.
Before this tribunal Of ladies whose
beauty and learning he has outraged
by his disaffection and spleen | sum-
mon him for trial." continued the
dukes jester.
'rrboulet, arise! IllustriOus ladies'
of the court of love, the offender is in
your hands"
"a little monster!" spoke up Diane,
with gesture of aversion. real or af-
fected.
"He is certainly somewhat reprehen-
sible." added the queen Of Navarro,
whose tender heart even inclined to
the weaker side.
"An unconscionable rogue mur-
INJURED the bishop, complacently clasp
ing his fat fingers before him.
80 he is already tried by the church
and the tribunal" went OIL the plaisant
Of the duke 1.-The church hath excom-
municated him and the court Of love-
"Will Danish him. exclaimed the
countess mirthfully, regarding the cap
tious monarch with mock defiance.
"Yes, Danish him, turn him out" ech-
oed Catharine carelessly.
but, your majesty. demonstrated
the alarmed Triboulet, turning to the
monarch, whose favor he had that day
enjoyed.
Appeal not to me!' returned Fran
els sternly. Here Venus rules! And
he gallantly inclined to the countess.
Venus at whom he scoffs!" broke in
Jacqueline shrilly, leaning back in her
chair, with her hands on her hips.
"You witch, you sorceress! 1t was
you who he Missed, with venomous
glance.
Hear himw exclaimed the girl light
ly. "He calls me witch. sorceress. be-
cause, forsooth. am woman"
a woman, Il devilw muttered Tri-
boulet between his closed teeth.
And now," she cried, rising impetu-
ously, "he says that women are devils!
What shall we do with him!
"Pelt him OUT" answered the count
ess. Pelt him out!'
With peals Of merriment and trium-
phant shouts the court Of one accord
directed a fusillnde Of fruits. nuts and
other viands at the head and person of
the raging and hapless buffoon, the
countess herself. apple III hand-Eve
bent upon vengeance-leading In the
assault. The other tables responded
with a cross fire, and heavier articles
succeeded lighter until after having
endured the continuous attack for
few moments as best he might the un-
lucky dwarf raised his arms above his
head and fairly fed from the hall,
leaving behind In his haste bagpipe
and his wooden sword.
81 suppose" whispered Jacqueline to
the dukes fool, when the attention OF
the company vas thus withdrawn from
tue JeSlcT cuu VI IhC topiS' JSe
think yourself In fine favor now"
"Yes" he answered absently; thanks
to your suggestion"
"My suggestlon~ she repeated scorn-
fully. 81 gave you none"
"Well, then, your crossing Triboulet."
"Oh, that" she replied, picking Mt a
bunch Of grapes, was to defend my
sex, not you."
"But your warning for me to laugh"
"Why," she returned demurely.
"'twas to see you 60 more gallantly
to your execution. And"-eating a
grape-"that is reasonably certain to
be your fate. You've only made few
enemies tonight-the duke-the"-
"Name them not, fair Jacqueline."
he retorted, Indifferent.
"True. You'll soon learn for yourself"
she answered sharply. II think
should prefer to be in Triboulets place
to yours at present"
Ecr0fir1a