Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-30
BY FREDERIC S. ISHAM.

put him OUT. commanded Triboulet
from his high place.
But she of the jaunty cap sprnng
from the table.
"IIow wise are your majesty's de-
crccs.' she said mockingly. with her
glance upon the dwarf. He shifted I'M
easily in the throne. You should have
put him out before. But now" turn
ing contemptuously to the poor figure
of the great man. hes harmless. His
silence is golden; his speech was
dross."
"And yet" answered Marot thought
fully. the king estecms him the king,
who is at once scholar, poet, wit, SOL
der
Soldier" she exclaimed quickly,
"when he cannot conquer Italy and
regain his heritage!'
Cannot" ventured Triboulet mind
ful of the dignity Of his royal master
"Why not?'
Because the women would conquer
him."
Nay: the king prefers the blue eyes
Of France" spoke up the cardinals
fool he Of tho viola.
''Then do you set our queen Of fools,
our fair Jacqueline. out Of his majes-
tvs good graces," intcrposed one of the
lesser testers. n mere baron's hreing,
who long had burned with secret adj
miration for the maid of the coquet-
fish cap.
81 am such fool "a to want the
good graces Of no man or monarch"
she replied boldly, without CHANGING ut
the speaker.
AN he were in love you would be
two FOOLS" laughed Caillettc, the court
poet.
"In love It's only tho man is the fool
or the fooled" she returned pointedly,
and Cailcttc. despite his self posses
sion. flushed painfully. Since Diane
de Poticrs had welded her ancient
lord the poet had become grave, stu
dious. almost sad.
"And is your mistress. the kings
ward. fooling with her betrothed?" he
asked quickly, conscious Of knowing
winks and nudges.
1.-THE Princess Louise and the Duke
Of Friedwald are to we'd for reasons OF
state" said the young woman gravely.
"There'll he 10 fools"
"Ah, a loveless match
"But not landless one" retOrtcd
she of the cap without the bells. 'Be-
sides. it cements the friendship of
Francis and Charles V. What more
would you! But III tell you secret
At that the company focked around
her as though there was something ell
ticing in her tone. the vague promise
of an interesting bit Of gossip or the
indefinite suggestion Of court scan-
DIAL
"a secret. said the cardinals fool.
rubbing his hands together. Ills mas
ter often rewarded him for particular
ly choice morscls Of loose title tattle.
"Oh. nothing very wicked" she al
swered. waving them back with he
small hand IT'S only that they pla.
at make believe in love- the princes
and her betrothcd. But, after all. it i
| far more sensible than real lOvemah
| ing, where If the pleasure be nor,
acute the papgs are therefore th'
| greater. She addresses to him tn,
| tcndcrest counterfeit verses; he returns
| them in kind She even simulated such
| an illusory sadness that the duke has
sent his own jester. who has but just
| arrived at court, to nmusc her (ahem.,
| dullness until he himself could come.
At this the cardinals buffoon looked
| disappointed. for his master liked
more highly favored hearsay. while
| Tribouct frowncd and brought down
| his heavy fist upon the arm of the
throne.
"a new jester. forsooth' he exclaim-
| ed.
and why not:" lifting her swart
br0ws quizzically.
I'VE are already ovcrstOckcd with
| prentice fools" lie rctortcd, looking
| over the throng
"Ah you fear perhaps some one may
depose you?" remarked JHcquellne cold
ly.
\ guarded laugh arose from the
| gathering. and the dwarf's eyes CLEAN.
| ed
"Dcpose me. Tribouet" he shouted
| rising. "T,!boulet is sovereign lord OF
all at whom he mocis. His wand Is
mighticr than IN episcopal miter.."
In his Ovorweening rage ana vanity
| he fairly crouchcd before the throne
cying them all like Il cat. His thick
| lips trcmbled: his eyes became blood.
shot He forget all prudence.
| "Doth not the king himself seek ny
adyicc:" He laughed horribly. "Hutl
not, perhnp, many n fair centlemal
been burne,-aye. burned to ashes as
| d Calvinist-at my suggestion!'
miserable wretch. Spy"' exclalm-
ed the young woman, paer than Il lily,
as she bent her eyes. with fully opened
lids, upon him.
AS il to shield himself. he raised his
hand, yet drunkenness or wrath over
came caution and superstition, and the
red eyes met the dark ones But mo-
ment. ana the former dropped sullenly.
A strange thrill ran through him. He
thought he was bewitched.
"Non nobis Domino he murmuved,
striving to recall n hymn. AS Latin
was the language of witchcraft, SO
also was it the antidOte COntemptu-
ously she turned her back and walked
1 slowly to the fire. Upon her white
face and supple figure played the elfish
glow, lighting the little cap and the
| WING traccaa hnupnth