Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-10


 sive harmony, dream of ardor masked in the daintiness of q minuet. Upon the back of the princess chair rested one of the dukes hands. With the other he lifted his glass, frail thing in fingers better adapted for a sword hilt or massive battle mace
 Drink, princess he said, bending over her, ''to-our meetingv' Her eyelids fluttered before his look Her breast rose little. The scar on his brow held her gaze, as one fasci- mated, but she drew away slightly and mechanically sought the tiny golden goblet at her elbow. Dreamily. dream lily sounded the rhythmical music; heavily, heavily hung the perfume in the air. Full of mist seemed the hall; i; the king, the queen, the countess, all of the party, unreal, fanciful The touch of the goblet filled her lips, and she put it down quickly. -."* t.@-. ''Is not the wine to your liking?' he asked, his hand tightening OH her chair. Perhaps it is too sour for your taste?
 Nay. thought it rather sweet" she answered. "Oh, meant not that
 "It is sweet wine princess," he said, setting down an empty glass. Sweet CT than our Austrian vintage. Not white and thin and watery. but red red as blood, red as your hearts blood or mine'
 Crash! From the hand of the dukes jester had fallen a goblet to the floor. The princess started, turned. For a moment their glances bridged the dis tance from where she sat to the fools end of the table Then hers slowly fell; slowly, and she passed a hand whereon shone the kings ring across her brow: looked up, as though once more to span intinity with her gaze when her eyes fell short and met the dukes. Deliberately he lifted his filled glass.
 Red as your hearts blood and mine my love-" he repeated, and then stared sharply across the table at his jester. Triboulet staggering in his chair so high his feet rOuld not touch the floor, surveyed the broken glass, the duke and the dukes fool.
 ''Ho. ho!" he believed. the better to attract attention to himself. "The duke sent his fool to amuse his betrothed, and the fool hath lost his heart to his mistress"
 The king left off his whispering. Catharine turned from the chancellor Diane ceased furtively to regard Gail lette. while the queen of Navarro laughed nervously and murmured:
 "Princess and jester! It will make another tale"
 But Henry of Navarro looked grave ly down. He and Francis queen. a passive spectator at the feast, and bishop whose interest lay in trutIied capon alone followed not the direction of the dukes eyes. The fair favOrite of the king clapped her hands. but the monarch drowned. not having forgot ten that night in Fools hall when the jester had appointed rogues to offices "What is this? A fool in love with the princess?" said the king ominously. "Even so, your majesty" cried Tri- boulet. But moment ago Duke Rob- ert did whisper to his bride to be. and .he fools hand trembled like a leaf and dropped his glass! Ira. la, la! What n situation! Holy St. Bagpipe. Here's comedy in high life.'
 "A comedy."' repeated the duke and half rose from his chair, regarding his fool with surprise and anger.
 Now Triboulet roared. Had he not in tie past attained his high position of favorite jester to the king by his very fOolhardhOod? And were not trusting lovers and all too confidinS husbands the legitimate butt of all testing?
 Look at the fool" he went on ex- ultantly. Does any one doubt his guilt? He is silent. He cannot speak" And indeed the foreign jester seemed momentarily disconcerted. although he strove to appear indifferent.
 "A presumptuous knave." muttered Francis. darkly. "Ie saved his neck once by a trick"
 "Oh. the duke would not mind now If you were to hang him. sire!' answered TribOulet blithely.
 "True." smiled the king. "The Ques- tion of breach of hospitality might not occur. What have you to say. foolT' he continued. turning to the object of the buffoon's insidiOus and malicious attack.
 Laugh" whispered Jacqueline. fur lively pressing the arm of the dukes fool. Laugh orr
 The touch and her words appeared to arouse him from his lethargy. and the jester arose. hut moi before the prin- cess. with flaming cheeks. but proud bearing. had cast quick glance in his : direction. a glance half appealing. half . resentful. Idly the joculatrix regard [ cd him. her hands upon the table play ing with the glasses. her lips faintiy repeating tile words of roundelay: "For love is madness; While madness rules Fools in love
 Remain but fools. Sing hoddy doddy. Soddy.
 Remain but foois.'' With the eyes of the company upon him tho dukes fool impassively stud led the carven figure on his stick. If he felt fear of the kings anger. the re-