Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-27

"You tell me have lain here q |
weekw he asked finally, recalling oh. |
scure memories of family seen faces
and voices heard as from afar.
"And MORE" she repeated.
For some moments he remained si.
lent, passing from introspection to a
current Of thought Of which she could
know nothing-the means he had TAX
en- to thwart the ambitious projects Of
the kings guest.
HAS Caillctte returned?' he contin.
ued, with III disguised eagerness.
"Caillette?" she answered, lifting her
brows ut the abruptness Of the inquiry.
HAS he been away? ! had not no.
ticed. I DO not know"
"Then is lie still absent" said the
Jester decisively. "TInd he come back
you would have heard"
Quickly she looked at him. Caillette!
Spain! These were the words he had
often uttered In his delirium. Although
he seemed much better and the hot
nush had left his cheeks, his fantasy
evidently remained.
"A week and overt resumed the fool
more to himself than to his companion
Put he still may return before the
duke Is welded"
And II he did return?' she asked,
wishing to humor him.
"Thcn the duke is not like to marry
the princess" he burst out.
mot like--to marryw she replied sud
denly and moved toward him. Her
clear eyes were full upon him. Closely
she studied his worn features. Not
like-but he has married her.
The Jester strove to spring to his
feet. but his legs seemed as relaxed as
his brain was dazed.
HAS married? Impossible" he ex-
claimed fiercely.
"rhey were welded two days SINCE"
she went on quietly, possibly regret
ting that surprise or she knew not what
had made her speak.
"Wedded two days since"
He repeated 1t to himself, striving to
realize what it meant.
"You must have your drollery," he
said unsteadily ut length.
She did not reply. and he continued
to question her with his eyes. Quite
still she remained save for an almost
imperceptible movement Of breathing.
Against the dull beams from the aper-
ture above her hair darkly framed her
face, pale, dim with half lights, illuso-
ry When he again spoke his voice
sounded new to his own ears
"How could the princess have been
married? Even if have lain here as
long as you say. the day for the we'd
ding was set for ut least week from
now"
But changed" she responded unex-
pectedly.
"Changedw he cried sitting on the
edge Of the couch and regarding her
as though he doubted he had heard
Alright "Why should it have been
changcd?"
because the duke became most
Impatient suitor." she answered. "Dai-
~ he grew more eager. Finally to at
tain his end he importuned the count
esq. She laughed, but good naturally
acceded to his request and in turn III
portuned the king, who generously
yielded. 1t has been a rare laughing
matter at court that the duke, who ap-
peared the least passionate adorer.
should really have been such a restless
one"
"Dolt that I have been!' exclaimed
the Jester, with more anger, it seemed
to the girl. than jealousy. And so he
they are gone, Jacqueline?'
Yes" she returned, surprised at his
language and for the first time Won
dering II the dukes wooing admitted
of other complications than she had
suspected. "They are on their way to
the dukes kingdom"
His kingdom" said the fool with
derision. "But 60 on. Tell me about
1t, Jacqueline-how they set out on
their journey"
"They were married in the Chapelle
de la Trinite," responded the girl, hest
tating. Then. with an odd side look
abe went on rapidly: The bridal party
made an imposing cavalcade; the prin
cess in her litter behind number oil
maids on horseback. Besides the
groom's own men the king sent q
strong escort to the border, and thus
It was a numerous company that rode
from the castle, with colors flying and
the princess handkerchief futterine
from her litter a last farewell
"A last farewell" repeated the fool
"A splendid picture. Jacqueline. They
all shouted Tie Deum, and none stool
there to warn her.
ITO warn" retorted the jestress
mot maid but envied her that spec
tacle-the magniflcence and splendor!'
But not what will follow" he sale
and, lying back on his couch, closet
his eyes.
The free baron must have known til,
emperor was in Spain and had met tn,
FOOLS stratagem with a final mastery
neneuver. The bout was over, the frs
great bout; but in the next-woult
there be next? Jacqueline's word.
now implied doubt.
You are soon to leave here" sh,
said, "f0r Paris
why am | to leave for PARISH" b,
remarked absently.
Because they are going to take 70,
there" she returned, ito be tried us
hereto" He started and again sat up
"In your room was found book b!
Calvin. Now a hereto need expect N
mercy. They are placed in cages hum
from beams over the fire." Abrupt,
she arose. would you escape sucl
n fato ~ oho addod