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

10 nave NY OWN Wuy' anu us ue re
luctantly extended bis palm she placed
her foot upon 1t, sPringing lightly to
the saddle. "'Tis but canter through
the forest. The day IL glorious, and
twill b. rare sport"
Already had she gathered in the reins
and turned her horse, galloping down
a road that swept through a grove OF
poplar and birch, and he after mo.
ment's hesitation rode after her. Like
one born to the chase she kept her
seat, her 1.-THE figure swaying to the
movements Of the steed. Soon the
brighter green of her gown nuttered
amid the somber tinted pines and elms
a. the younger forest growth merged
into n stern array Of primeval mon.
archs. Here rcigned an austere 81.
ience, "a stiffness that now became the
more startlingly broken.
"You ride farther, Jacqueline?" said
the fool.
"A little farther"
ut will be far to return" he pro.
tested.
II have no fear she answered tran.
gully.
Again he let her have her way az
one would yield to n willful child. On
and OH they sped. past the place where
the deer run crossed the broader path,
through an ever varying forest, now
on one side rocky basin overrun with
trees and shrubs; again. on the other
hand. great gorge in whose depths
flowed q whispering stream. Wonder
appeared the gray walls Of an ancient
monastery. one part only Of which was
| habitable: a turn in the road swallow.
cd it up as though abruptly to com
plete the demolition time was slowly
to bring about On and on, until the
way became wilder and the wood more
overgrown with bushes and tangled
shrubbery, when she suddenly stopped
her horse.
He understood. At last they were
to part. And. remembering what ht
| owed to her. the jester suddenly fount
himself resretting that here theil
paths separated forever. Swiftly his
mind few back to their first meeting
when she had nouted him in Fools
hail. A pervcrsc. capricious maid-hOw
she had ever crossed him, and ye
nurscd him.
Attentively he regarded her. Tit
customary pallor of her face had givel
way to faint tint; her eyes were hu
mid. dewy bright; beneath the littl'
cap the curling tresses would hav'
been the despair OF those later day re
formers. the, successors Of Calvinist
and Lutherans.
"a will O the wisp." he thought. -
man might follow and never grasl
her"
Did she read what he felt, that min
glcd gratitude and perplexity? He
clear eyes certainly seemed to have
peculiar mastery over the thoughts o
others. Now they expressed only mock
cry.
THE greater danger is over" sh
said quietly. Prom now on there !;
, less fear of your being taken"
Thanks to you" he answered
searching her with his glance.
Here he doubted not she would max
Known the quest VI WHICH Sue ''''
, spoken. Whatever it might be, h
would faithfully reluite her. even t
making his own purpose subservien
to it.
, ut Is now time, she said demurt
~. Ito acquaint you with the mission
OF course you will accept it:'''
Can you ask 2" he answered earnes
~.
"You promise:"
:. "To serve You with my life"
Then we had better go on" she cor
sinued.
But, mademo,sclle. l thought
THAT we we've to part here: Not
all. | am not ye, ready to leave yo,
In fact. good Master Jester. am goin
! with you. am the quest; am tn
| mission AS eA--v vsi, prom'bed d!
. (TO BE CONTINUED)