The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-04-14

II trust Dou arc toelli" 5eered the d,part.
occurred to you that before the day IS
over albthesvillage will be laughing Mt
the spectacle OF their commandant-
pardon me-being led by the nose by
jesterg'
The officers sunburned face became
yet rcdder. He frowned. then glanced
suspiciously at Triboulet, whose repu-
tatiOn was France wide.
This man was the dukes fool"
screamed the dwarf. "and was impris-
oned by order Of the king! His COM
panion who Is here with him was for
merly jestress to the princess. She is
sorceress and bewitched the mon.
arch. Then her fancy seized upon the
hereto, and by her dark art she OPEN
Cd the door Of the cell for him. To-
gether they fed-she from the court,
he from prison"
The commandant looked curiously
from the hunchback to the accused. II
this were acting, the dwarf was indeed
a master of the art
"Bestdes, his haste to leave the VII
iage.n veageriyN went on Tribouiet.
why was he dressed at this hourf
Ask the landlord II he did not seem un-
duly hurried"
At this appeal the innkeeper, who
had been an interested spectator, now
became a not unwilling witness.
1T is true he seemed hurried" he
answered. when he first came down
he ordered breakfast. / happened to
mention the duke was Mt the chateau,
whereupon he lost his appetite with
suspicious suddenness. called for his
horses and was for riding OF with oil
haste"
From the commandant's expression
this testimony apparently removed any
doubts he may have entertained.
Above the heads Of the troopers mass
ed In the doorway the dukes plaisant
saw Jacqueline standing on the stairs,
with wide open dark eyes fastened up
on him. Involuntarily he lifted his
hand to his heart. Across the brief
space glance melted into glance.
Prosecuted Calvin maid-had not her
fate been untoward enough without
this new disaster? Had not the king
wrought sufficient Ill to her and hers
in the past7 Would she be sent back
to the court, the monarch2 For him.
self. he had no thought but for her,
who was nobler even than her birth
right. He had been thrice a fool who
had not needed portentous warnings
the sight Of Triboulet, the clamor Of
the troopers-and had failed to fee
during the night. AS he realized the
penalty of his negligence would fall 50
heavily upon her, cry Of rage burst
from the FOOLS lips and he sprang to-
ward his aggressors. The young girl
became yet whittier. A moment she
chung to the baluster. then started to
descend the stairs. A dozen swords
flashed before her eyes.
She drew in her breath sharply,
when. as II by some magic, the anger
faded from the face Of the dukes fool,
the hand he had raised to his breast
fell to his side. his blade remained
sheathed.
the commandant. IL have no intention
Of resisting the authority Of the law,
but IL you will grant me few mo-
ments' private audience in this room I
promise to convince you the Duke Of
Friedwald never signed that writ"
"Let him convince the council that
examines heretics," laughed Tribouiet.
'1 will give you my sword, sir" went
on the Jester. "Afterward. II you are
satisfied, you shall return 1t to me. II
you are not. on my word rs q man Of
honor I will 60 with you without more
ado"
"a Calvinist, a Jester, a man Of hon.
orr cried the dwarf.
But narrowly the vicomte regarded
the speaker "Pardieu! he exclaimed
grufiy. Keep your sword! 1 promise
you can look to my own safety" And
in spite OF Triboulet's remonstrance he
waved back the troopers and closed the
door upon the plaisant and himself.
Outside the dwarf stormed and
stamped. Tho Jester is desperate. II
is the noble count who Is O nonny.
Open. fool soldiersr'
This command not being obeyed BY
the men who guarded the entrance.
the dwarf began to abuse them. A
considerable interval elapsed. The
hunchback, who dared not 60 into the
roonl himsslf cowpromiscd BY knssl.