The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-02-10
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tue kings Dunoon sprang with heatl.
Iong fury, uttering hoarse, cultural
sounds that awakened misgivings re.
gard1ng the fate Of his too confident
antagonist.
DO not kill him. Tribouletp cried
Marot, alarmed lest the dukes fool
should be slain outright. Remember
he has tourneyed from the court OF
Charles v.r'
"Charles "" came through Tribou-
let's half closed teeth. MY masters
one. great enemy.'
Hush| muttered yillot. "Our mas
eer's enemy Is now his dear friendr'
Friend!' sneered the other, but even
as he thrust his sword tingled sharply
In his hand and whisked magically out
OF his grip. described a curve in the
MIR and fell at far end of the room.
AZ the same time a stinging blow de-
scended smartly on the dwarf's hump.
Pardon mel? laughed the dukes
1901. Being unused to such exercise
my blade fell by mistake on your
back"
If flooks could have killed, Triboulet
would have achieved his original pur.
pose. but after a vindietiye though fu.
tile glance his head dropped despofd-.
emily. To have been thus Inundated
before those whom he regarded as his
vassals! What jest could restore him
the prestige he had enjoyed. what play
OF words eface the shame Of that pub
lie chastisement7 Had he been beaten
By the king but thus to suffer at the
hand Of foreign fool! And the mon.
arch-would he learn Of 1.-THE punish
ment OF the royal jester7 As in a
dream he heard the hateful voices Of
the company.
It's not the first time he has been
wounded there!' said fearless Call
lette. who openly acknowledged his
aversion for the kings favorite fool
But be seated. gentle sir" he added
TO the stranger. "and shara- Haa. --..-'.-
''Reugns certesy' commented the 9TH
er fs he returned his blnde to his belt
"And as I see no STOOL
There's the thronew returned Call
lette courteously. "Since you have
overcome Tribouiet his place Is yours"
IA precarious placer said the new
conner easily. dropping. nevertheless.
into the chair.
hV Alu6 10 oCuAS 4<Oh6 hv0 ShS
kingy' cried the cardinals Jester.
"Long live the kingv' they shouted.
every fool and zany raising tankard
save the dwarf and the young woman.
the former continuing to glare vindic-
lively upon the usurper ana the latter
to all intent remaining oblivious Of the
ceremony Of installation. Poised upon
a chair. she idly thrust her fingers
through the gilded bars Of the cage
that hung from the rafters and gently
stroked the head Of the now COM
piaisant bird.
poor Jockol Poor Jocko| she muir.
INJURED.
la, la. lav' sang the parrot, re-
sponsive to her light caress.
"Your majesty's wishes! Your mai
esty's decreer' exclaimed the monastic
wit worm.
"Hear. hearr' roared Brusquet.
"Silencew commanded Marot. ''His
majesty speaks" 80.
"Toot, toot, tootr' rang out the -four
ish OF trumpet. clarion prelude to
the: flat from the throne.
The new king In motley arose. heed
less, devil may care. very erect In his
preposterously pointed shoes.
II appoint you, Thony, treasurer OF
the exchequer. because you are quick
at sleight Of hand" he began.
Good" laughed Marot. "An he's
more light fingered than his predeces-
sor. he's a master Of prestidigitationw
"You, Brusquet," went on the new
master Of Fools hall. II reward with
the government Of Guienne. for he
who governs his own house so Ill is
surely fitted for greater tasks Of IN
competency"
This allusion to the petticoat rule
which dominated the luckless jester at
home was received In good part by all
save the hapless domestic bondman
himself.
You. viliot, are made admiral Of the
fleet"
villot smiled. thinking how Francis
had but recently bestowed that once
upon the Impoverished husband of
pretty Nine. d'Etaille.
Thanks, your majesty" he began
'but If some post nearer home''--
You are to sail at once!'
But my wife,
"Will remain at courtv' announced
the dukes jester with great decision.
Yiflot made a wry face. The king In
motley smiled significantly. "a safe
haven, villot! Besides. remember Q
court without ladies' ia like a sprinf
without flowers"
A movement resembling apprehen
sion swept through the company. Tn,
epfgram had been Francis; the court
flower bed Of roses, was in consc
quence q thorny maze for q lester Il