davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

He forgot nc yet held her hand.
and firewood. and from this store he
drew. heaping the combustible mate
blaze fairly illumined the worn and di-
lapidated interior. Near the fireplace
were a pot and kettle, whose rusted
appearance bespoke long disuse, but n
trencher and porridge spoon on a stool
near by seemed waiting the coming Of
the master. A couch Of straw had beer
the lonely shepherd bed and later the
Judgment Of his enemy. the wolf.
"IIere you may rest. J%acqueline.
without fear of being disturbed again
this night" he said.
She sank YEARLY upon the straw,
then gave him her hand gratefully.
Her face looked rosy in the reflection
from the hearth. A comforting sense
Of warmth crept owe her as she lay in
front Of the blaze. Her eyes were Ian
guorous with the luxury of the heat
after a chilling ride. Drawing the
cloak to her chin. she smiled family.
Was 1t at his solicitude: He noticed
how her hair swept from the saddle
pillowing her head to the earth, and.
| sitting there on the stool. wondering
perhaps at its abundance. or half
dreaming. he forgot he yet held her
hand. Gently she withdrew 1t. and he
started.
"Why did you not tell me 1t was not
. discussion with the scamp students"
she asked. why did you let me i'm
agine that you Her eyes said the
rest. "Yo, should not have permitted
me toto think It," she reiterated.
He was silent. She closed her eyes,
but in a moment her lashes uplifted.
And I should not have thought It."
she said.
"Jacqueline!' he cried. starting up.
She did not answer-indeed. seemed
sleeping her face turned from him.
Through the open doorway a streak
Of red in the east heralded the coming
glory Of the morn. Peep. peep" twit.
tered a bird on the roof Of the hovel.
From the poplar 1t was answered by q
more melodious phrase, a song of vel
come to the radiant dawn. A moment
the jester listened, his head raised to
the growing splendor Of the heaven.
then threw himself on the earthen door
Of the hut and was ut once overcome
with sleep.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

despair, he fed and allied himself
with the emperor. Traitor they call.
ed him-he, a Bayard"
A moment she stood, an exalted look
on her features-tall. erect-then step
ped toward him and took the sword.
With a bright and radiant glance she
surveyed 1t. pressed the hilt to her lips
and with both hands held 1t to her
bosom. AS IL fascinated, the fool
watched her. Her co%untenance was
%upturned; a moment, and 1t fell; a
dark shadow crossed Il: beneath her
lashes her eyes were like night.
But he failed because Charles, the
emperor. failed him." she said almost
mechanically, and. broken in spirit,
met his death miscrably in exile. Yet
his cause was just. His memory is
dearer than That Of a conqueror. She.
the queen mother. is dead. God alone
may deal with her"
More composed. she resumed her
place in the chair oil the other side of
the table. the sword acros her arm.
and how came you. mistress" he
asked. regarding her closely. "in the
pleasure palace built by FrancisT
when the castle was taken. all who
mad not fed were n gamekeepcr and
his little girl--myself. The latter
ironically--'pleased some Of the court
ladies. They commended her wit, and
gradually was she advanced to the
high position she occupied when you
arrived" with n strange glance across
the board at her listener.
"And the gamekeeper-your father
IL dead:"
"Long since"
] "The constable had no c%hildren:"
"Yes, a girl who, 1t is believed. died
with him in Spain"
The entrance Of the servant to re.
move the dishes interrupted their
further conversation. As the door
opened from below came the voices
Of newcomers. the impatient call OF
tipplers for ale. the rattle Of dishes in
the kitchen. Wrapped in the r%ecollec
tions the conversation had evoked, tt
J%acqueline the din passed unnoticed
and when the rosy checked lass had
gone it was the Jester who first spoke
what a commentary IN the mockery
of fate that the sword OF such n man
so illustrious. so unfortunate, SHOULD
be intrusted to n fool
"Why." she said. looking at him. bel
arms ontthe table. you drew it brave
ly. and ono more bravely kept IL
sheathed."
His face flushed. She half smiled
then placed the blade on the board be
fore him.
There il Is"
Above the sword he reached over, as
il to place his hand on hers. but she
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

come his burden Of responsibility, his
moral obligation? For the first time
he seemed to realize how the fine ten.
drills OF her nature had touched his;
touched and chung, ever 40 gently, but
fast.
He saw her, too, secretly and silent.
" c%herishing a new faith in her bos-
ON amid n throng, lax and infirm OF
purpose, and wondermcnt gave way to
another emotion as his mind leaped
from that past, with Its covert. inner
life, to the untrammeled moment when
she had thrown OF the mask in the sol.
itude Of the forest.
Afar the bell Of some wnnderer from
the herd tinkled drowsily. %arousing him
from his reverie. The horses were as
cending. The road emerged into n
plain set with bracken and gorse,
with here and there a single tree whose
inclining trunk told Of storms braved
for many seasons Near the highway,
Ia the shadow Of a poplar. stood a
Shepherds hut apparently deserted and
Isolated from humankind. The fool
refined the horse, which for some time
had been moving painfully, and Mt that
abrupt cessation Of motion the jestress
looked up with a start.
Meeting his eyes, at first she did not
withdraw her own Q~uestioningly her
Dewildered gaze encountered his. Then
With a quick movement she released
herself from his arm and sprang to
the ground. He, too, Immediately dis
mounted. She felt very wide awake
now. az though the sudden conscious.
ness of that encircling grasp or some
thing In his glance before she slipped
from him had startled AWAY the torpor
Of somnolence.
you tainted. or fell asleep. MISTRESS
he said quietly.
Eyes, l remember. in the gorge"
at was impossible to stop there, so
rode on But here in this shepherds
hut we may find shelter"
And, turning the horses. he would
have led them to the door, but the mi.
mails held back, then stood stock still.
Striding to the hut. the Jester stepped
in. but quickly sprang to one side, and
as he did so some creature shot out Of
the door and disappeared in the gloom.
"a wolf!' exclaimed the PLEASANT.
Entering the hut oncc more, he
struck a light. In a corner lay furze
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

a quick effort on the FOOLS part.
fore the tavern. now burning on all
sides. could be distinguished a number
Of figures frantically running hither
md thither, while above the cracking
Of the flames and the clamorous cries
Of the birds was heard the voice Of
the proprietor alternately pleading
with the knaves to save the tavern and
execrating him who had applied the
torch.
Gap de Dieu. the landlord will snare
no more Travellers" said Caillette. "My
horse had become road worn and per.
force I had tarried there sufficient
while to know the company and the
host. When You walked in with this
fair maid ! could hardly believe my
eyes. Twas a nice trap. and the land
lord an unctuous fellow for a villain.
Assured that you could not 60 sui az
you came. I cen prepared a less con.
ventional means OF exit"
He had scarcely finished this expla-
nation when, with a shower of sparks
and a mighty crash. the heavy roof fell.
ut Is over" murmured Caillette. and,
as they touched their horses. leaving
the smoldering ruins behind them, he
added: But how came the scamp
student to serve you? ! was watching
closely and listening. too. SO caught
bow twas done"
II spared his life once" answered the
Jester.
"And he remembered? IT'S passing
strange from such a rogue. A clever
0evice to warn you In Latin that his
friends intended to kill one or both OF
You for the jeweled sword"
"Why," spoke up the young girl. her
attention sharply arrested. was 1t NOT
. mere discussion Of some kind? And
1.-THE quarrelY
"A pretsnse on the rogue's part ID
avert the suspicion Of the master Of
the boar. could but marvel"-to the
9ester-"at your forbearance."
II fear me JacQueline had the right
% q poor opinion Of her squire" re,
piled the dukes fool. Nor do | blame
her," he laughed. TN estseming a stout
bolt more protection than a craven
blade"
But the girl did not answer. Through
her brain dashed the recollection Of bel
cold disdain. her scornful words. hel
prompt dismissal Of the Jester at bel
door. Weighing what she had said and
Zone with what he had said and done
che turned to him quickly. impulsively
Through the semidarkness she saw toe
smile around his mouth and the quiz
! oical look with which he was regard,
sIng her. whereupon her courage fail
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

>N NV
the other. therefore Is he himself the
fool. And thou. mistress, art also
worthy of the madcap BELLS" he added,
his distorted face upturned to the jes-
tress.
How soT" she asked. not %concealing
the %repugnance he inspired.
Because you prefer A FOOLS cap to a
kings CROWN" he answered, looking
significantly at her companion. "where.
in you but followed the royal prefer.
ence for head coverings. Ho. hoF !
saw which way the RIind blew; how
the monarch's eyes kindled when they
rested on you; how the wings OF Nine.
d'Etampes' colt Huttered like an angry
butterfly"
"Silence, rogue." commanded the
dukes fool. wheeling bis horse toward
the dwarf.
And then for her to turn from a
throne room to a dungeon!" went on
Triboulet satirically as he retreated.
"As Brusquet wrote. twas
"Morbieu! A merry monarch and q
jestrevs' fair;
A j~estrsss fair. I wesn!"
But ere the. hunchback could finish
this scurrilsuO dogeerel OF the court.
over which doubtless many loose wit
lings had laughed. the girls compan'
ion placed bis hand, on his sword and
started toward the dwarf. The words
died on Triboulet's lips. Hastily he
lodged into q narrow space between
two houses. where he was safe from
pursuit. Jacqueline's face had become
flushed. Her lips yere compressed.
The c0untenance Of yAe dukes PLEASANT
seemed paler than its wont.
Little m0nster!' he Wuttered.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

II trust you arc wcll'" jccred the dxdrJ.
to side. And the lady-is she also
well this morning? How pleased you
both were to see me yesterday" as.
Stunning an insOlent. albeit watchful,
psss. $50 you believed l had run away
from the duke? AS If he could get on
without me-. What would be a honey.
moon without Triboulet."
Enough of this b~uffoonery." said .
uecisive voice. and the dwarf drew
back, not without "A grimace, to make
room for a person of soldierly mien
who now pushed his way to the front
Over his doublet this gentleman wore
q somewhat frayed but embroidered
cloak; his broad hat was fringed with
gold that had lost its luster: his coun'
tenance. deeply burned, seemed that
Of an old campaisner. He regarded
the fool c~ourteously, yet h%aughtily.
your sword. sir!' he commanded
In the tone OF one accustomed to being
obeyed.
ITO whom should l give IT." asked
the dukes Jester.
ITO the vicomte de Cruise, come
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

W you'
"She was the last lady Of the cas-
tle." said the girl softly.
And how was 1t, mistress. the cas-.
tie was confscated by the kingY" he
continued after a pause.
shall I tell you the story7" she
asked, her voice hardening.
III you WILL" he answered.
"Triboulet's description OF the scene
where the constable braved the king,
insisting on his rights. was true" she
observed proudly.
But why had the noble wearer Of
this sword been deprived of his feudal.
ity and tenureT
Because he was strong and great,
and the king feared him; because he
was noble and handsome. and the
queen reg0nC loved him. 1t was not
her hand only Louise of Savoy. Fran.
cis' mother, offered. but the throne"
Quickly she crossed the room and
leaned upon the table. In the glimmer
of the candles her face was soft and
tender. He thought he had never seen
a sweeter or more womanly express
sion.
But he refused It," she continued,
"for he loved only the memory OF his
wife, Lady Anne. she a perfect being;
the other-whatT"
On her features shone a fine con.
tempt.
Then followed the endless persecu.
ton and spite OF a woman scorned,'
she continued rapidly. zone by one his
honors were wrested from him. He
who had borne the dag triumphantly
through Italy was deprived Of the gov
eminent Of Milan and replaced by a
brother Of Nine. de Chateaubriant,
then favorite of the king. His castle,
lsHds' were conhscatsd until. driven to
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

She pressed the hit to her lips.
quickly rose. Absently he returned the
weapon to his girdle.
"How tired | feel" she said.
Immediately he got up. You are
worn out from the journey" he OBJ
served quickly.
But he knew it was not the journey
that had most affected her.
Il will leave you.' he went on.
"Eave you everything you need?"
Everything" she answered careless
~.
He walked to the door. The light
was on his face: hers remained shaded.
Good night" she said.
Good night, Jacqueline. duchess Of
DubrOis." he answered. and. turning,
disappeared down the corridor
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11
XXI.

|" IMSELFw laughed the min.
strel. Ibid I not tell you I
should become q spanish
troubadour?" Then, reach.
ing out his hand, he added seriously:
Fright pleased am I to meet you. But
bow came you here"
II have fed from the keep Of the old
castle, where I lay charged with her.
esy," answered the Jester. returning
the hearty grip.
THE keepw exclaimed Caillette In
surprise. "You are fortunate not to
have been brought to trial." he added
thoughtfully. Few get through that
seine, and bic holiness the pope. I I'm.
derstand, has ordered the tneshes made
yet smaller
They had paused on the brow Of a
hill commanding the view Of road and
tavern. Dazed. the young girl had lis.
tened to the greeting between the two
men This ragged. beard grown trou-
badour. the graceful, elegant Catllette
Of Francis court? 1t seemed incredi.
bic. At the same time through her
mind passed the memory Of the plat.
SAINTS reiterated exclamation in pris-
on, "Caillette-in SPAIN" words she
had attributed to fever. not imagining
they had any foundation in fact.
But now this unexpected encounter
abruptly dispelled her first superstition
and opened a new field for speculation.
Certainly had he been on a mission Of
some kind somewhere. but what his
ofrand she could not divine.
But II she was surprised at Caillette's
unexpected presence and disguise. that
counterfeit tr%oubadour had been no less
amased to see her, the joculatrix Of
the princess. in the mean garb OF q
wayside ministralissa, wandering over
the country like one born to the no.
madic existence. That she had q ma
ture as free as air and the spirit Of a
gypsy he well believed, but that she
would forego the security of the royal
household for the discomforts and dan
gers Of a vagrant life he could not rec.
oncile to that other part Of her char
meter which he knew must shrink from
the %actualities Of the straggler's lot.
Have you left the court, mistress?"
he now asked abruptly.
Yes" she answered CURLY.
The constraint that ensued between
them was broken by a new aspect Of
ehe now distant conhagration. Be-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

- FROM n Of the watchtowerS
Of the town ans the clear
1HS note of a trumpet, a tribute Of
0XO melody, Occasioned by the
awakening in the east. AS the last
Carton tones re-echocd over the sleep
ing village n crimson rim appeared
above the horizon, and soon the entire
wheel Of the chariot of the sun god
rolled up out Of the illimitable abyss
and began its daily race across the sky.
About the same time the sleepy
guard at the town gate was relieved
by an equally drowsy appearing troop
or. Here and there windows were
hung open. and around the well in tn
small public square the maids began
to c~ongrcgate. In the taproom of the
tavern the landlord moved about. set
ting to rights the tables and chairs OF
sprinkling fresh sand on the floor. The
host had hut opened the front door
permitting the fresh. invigorating all
from without to enter. when the dukes
PLEASANT. his cloak Over his arm. de
scended the stairs and. addressing the
landlord. asked when he and his com
panion could be provided with break
fast.
Breakfast" grumbled the proprie
tor. The maids are hardly up. and
the fires must yet be started. 1t will
he an hour or more before you can be
served. You ride forth early"
The PLEASANT made no reply ns he
strobe to the door and looked out,
noted sundry signs of awakening life
down the narrow street and then re-
turned to the taproom.
you had a noisy company here last
night. landlord" he vouchsafed. glanc'
ing around the room and recalling the
laughter and shouts he had heard be-
low until a late hour.
"Noisy company retorted the inn.
keeper. "A goodly company that ate
and drank freely. Distinguished com.
pany that paid freely; the kings own
guards, who are acting as escort to
Robert. the duke Of Friedwald. and biz
bride. the princess. Noisy company
fOrs0oth!"
THE duke Is here also?"
"Yes; at the chateau. The princess
had become weary Of travel: besides,
had sprained her ankle, l head. and
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

ing sun shot athwart the val.
ley. glanced from the tile
roofs of the homes Of the
p%easantry and illumined the lofty
towers Of a great manorial chateau.
Into the little town at the foot OF
the big house rode shortly before
nightfall the Jester and his companion.
During the day the young girl had
seemed dif1dent and constrained. She
who had been all vivacity and life. on
q sudden kept silence. or when she did
speak her tongue had lost its sharp.
ness.
His nrst greeting that morning had
been a swift. almost questioning. glance
before which she had looked away.
In her face was the freshness OF dawn.
the grace Of springtide. Overhead
sang a lark; at their feet a brook whis.
pered; around them solitude. vast. In
finite. He spoke and she answered;
her reserve became infectious; they ate
their 0aten cakes and drank their wine,
each strongly conscious Of the presence
Of the other. Then he rose, saddled
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11
CHAPTER XXIII,

one Of the watchtowers
Of the town rang the clear
note Of a trumpet, a tribute OF
melody, Occasioned by the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11
XXI.

HE slanting rays Of the sink
ing sun shot athwart the val
ley. glanced from the tile
roofs Of the homes of the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
Plan Bio Warehouse.

The John Deere Pow company is
having plans drawn for one Of the
largest and one of the most modern
buildings TO be erected in Oklahoma
City Actual work on the mammoth
structure will be commenced within 80
days. Ever since other implement
companies selected Oklahoma City as
q distributing point. all of the concerns
signihed desire TO erect their own
buildings there. The Moline Plow
company was the first on the ground
and erected building S0X20o feet. two
stories and basement
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
EnIistments in Army.

During the last several weeks a
number OF enlistments have been made
at the recruiting Office in the Putnam
building. The following are those who
entered the service: Edward p. Null
lane. of Moline. assigned TO Jefferson
barracks; Richard J. Condor, of Mo
line. assigned to the hospital corps in
San Francisco; Charles Cosson. of Chi.
cage. assigned to Fort Warden. Wash
ington; William Hutchinson. of Gin
ton, assigned 10 Columbus barracks.
Ohio, and Joseph Kabatnick. of New
York. assigned TO Fort Hamilton
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
Old Settlers Meeting.

committee of the Pioneer Settlers
association held a meeting at the court
house in the supervisors room yesteT-
day afternoon 10 make plans for the
annual meeting of the association.
This annual meeting will be held on
Wednesday, Aug 80. The place for
holding the meeting has not yet been
selected. Several places are under
consideration. The last annual session
was held at the Outing club. and the
session was most enjoyable. The same
place is being named as a possibility
this year and many of the members of
the association seem highly in favor
of it. Henry Karwath and Jesse Armil
were appointed to select the place of
meeting
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
Obituary Record.

AT the age of 70 years. Mrs. Louise
II. Ahrens died at the home of her
daughter. Mrs John Westensee. 1920
Leonard street. Deceased was born in
Germany and came TO this country
while quite young. Her husband has
been dead for some years. She is sur
vived by a son, Henry, and daughter,
Augusta.
Robert Smallfield has received sad
news. His uncle, William Smallfield,
who has for number of years made
his home near Dixon in this county,
died yesterday. Deceased was one OF
the early settlers of Scott county and
before going on the farm was a resi-
dent of Davenport. He will be remem-
bered by the older Davenporters and
his death regretted in wide circle.
Mr.. SmalIfield was rs years old and
has been feeble. He leaves widow
and a family of five sons all grown TO
manhood and nearly all living on farms
near the old homestead.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
NOTES OF THE RIVER.

A canoeing party composed OF Ey-
erett French. Ed Fisher. Perry Tess.
Harold Wool and Walter Schneider, all
from the Madison. Wis. high school
passed up the river yesterday after
completing a unique and pleasant trip.
They left the Wisconsin capital July IL
in two canoes and skiff and padded
down the tributaries into Rock river.
reaching the Mississippi by easy stag
es. They put their canoes on the ST
Paul north bound. and will proceed to
McGregor by steamer. going thence by
rail home.
The e Rutledge, II. ID. Kendall and
Eclipse were north and south today.
The upper river rafter Clyde. belong
ing TO the Bronson & Fulsom fleet.
which boat turned turtle and sank in a
sauaH near Fishermans island. above
Winona. July Il. has been raised. and
is now ON her way down the river 10
the Dubuque boat ways. where she isl
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29

He was cOasting down the Brady street
hill and struck the rear of A. p. Does
buggy. The buggy was slightly damag-
ed. but the bicycle rider received the
worst of the encounter. Pancey was
late to work and was anxious to make
up lost time. He was coming down
Brady street at full speed. Near Sev-
enth street, his hat started to blow off,
and. as he put up his hand TO catch il.
he lost control of the wheel. The rid
er was just about TO pass A. p. Doe
who was coming down the hill in his
buggy. AS he put up his hand, the
wheel swerved and he hit the buggy
in the rear He himself was precipi-
tated into the street and his wheel was
badly smashed. His injuries are not
serious.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
DAVENPORT DOTS.
Worked Here.

4 story told at the police station is
to the effect that T. d. Murphy. de-
mented man who is locked up at Tip
ton. is q resident OF Davenport. \ man
by that name worked on the govern
ment island Tor some time and stopped
at the Savoy hotel on Perry street.
His trunk is still at the latter hOstelry.
A few weeks ago Murphy decided to
take up farm work and went into the
country. Nothing has been heard of
him since, and it is quite probable that
he is the man in custody at Upton.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-29
MOLINE MENTION,
Sells Many Tickets.

Manager Richard Haney of the Mo
line Chautauqua is meeting with great
success in the work of securing sub
scriptions for the seat sale for next
years assembly. In less than days
actual work he has secured pledges OF
487 tickets for the 1906 program. and
among all those whom he has visited
he has not once been discouraged The
prospects are bright toward effecting
the sale of ! 500 tickets on which de
ponds the fate of next years assembly.