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

The king, fearing tor the safety or
his guest and the possible postpone
ment of the marriage should any In
Jury befall him, had sought to dissuade
him from his purpose. but the other
had laughed bOisterously at the mon
arch's fears and sworn he would break
q lance for his ladylove that day.
Francis, too gallant knight himself
to interpose further objection to an>an'
nouncement so in keeping with the ira
ditions of the lists. thereupon had or
dered the best charger in his stables to
he placed at the disposal of the prin'
cess betrothed and again nodded bis
appreciation upon the appearance OF
the duke in the ring. But ut least one
person in that vast assemblage was
far from sharing the monarch's COM
PLEASANT mood.
II the mind Of the dukes fool had
heretofore been filed with bitterness
upon witnessing festal honOrs to
mere presumptuOus free baron, what
now were his emotions at the reception
accorded him? From king to churl was
he n gallant noble; he swaggerer, III
born. a terrorist Of mountain passes
Even as the irony Of the demonstra-
ton swept over the jester from above
fell a flower white as the box from
whence it was waited. Downward II
fiuttered, a messenger Of amity, like
dove to his gauntlet. And with the ia
yor went a smile from the lady of the
lists. But while Bon Vouloir stood
there, the symbol in his hand and the
applause ringing in his ears, into the
tenor of his thoughts. the consciousness
of partly gratihed ambition, there crept
an insinuating warning of danger.
my lord" said the trooper with the
red mustache, riding by the side Of his
master, 1.-The fool is plotting further
mischief"
What mean you?" asked the free
baron, frOwning, as he turned toward
his side Of the field.
"Go slowly, my lord, and l will tell
you. l saw the fool and another jester
with their heads together" continued
the trooper in low tone. 'They were
standing in front Of the testers tent.
You babe me watch him. So | entered
their pavilion at the back. Making
pretext to be looking for a gusset for
an armor joint. l made my way near
the entrance. There, bending over bar
bet pieces, l overheard fragments OF
their conversation. 1t even bore on
your designs"
"a conversation on my designs! He
has then dared
"All, my lord. A scheming knave
After l had heard enough, gathered
up a skirt of tassets"-
"What did you hear?" said the Other
impatiently.
"a plan by which he hoped to let the
emperor know
A loud flourish Of trumpets neal
them interrupted the free baron's In.
former, and when the clarion tones had
ceased 1t was the master who spoke
mere tlluC Out koA "SAA A>~''
Come to my tent afterward. Mean
while" he went on hurriedly. "direci
a lance at the fool
But, my lord" expostulated the mar
quickly, 1.-The testers only are to oppose
one another"
1T will pass for an accident. Franci'
likes him not, and will clear you oi
unknightly conduct, IT, He finished
with boldly significant look, which
was not lost upon his man.
Even if the leaden disk. should fal.
from my lance and leave tie point
barc?" said the trooper hoarscly.
Even thatw responded the free bar
Oh hastily.
"I.aisscz. aller" cried the marshals
giving the signal to begin.
Above, in her white box. the princess
turned pale With bated breath anc
parted lips she watchol the line
sweep forward and. like two great
waves meeting. collide with crash
The dust that arose seemed an Ill EN-
shrouding mist Beneath 1t the figures