Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-04

luuS iulS, utlClluS uodlSc, SOttuA ui sounds that awakened m.sgivings re- garding the fate of his too confident antagonist.
 DO not kill him, Triboulet" cried Marot. alarmed lest tie du.;e's fool ! should be slain outright "RememLer he has journeyed from the court of Charles V.!'
 Charles VI" came through Tribou- let's half closed teeth. My masters one great cnemyw
 Flush" muttered Vilot. Our mas- ter's enemy is now his dear friend"
 "Fr;end!" sneered tie ot.er. but even as he thrust his sword ting.ed sharp.y in his hand anl whisked maGically out of his grip. described a curve in tie air and fell at far end of the room. At the same time stingng blow de- sccnGed smartly on the dwarfs hump,
 Parton mel" laughed the dukes fool "Eeipg unused to such exercise my blade fell by mistake on your back"
 If looks could have killed. Triboulet would have achieved his original pur- pose but after vindictive though fu tile glance his head dropped desponl- ently. To have been thus humiliatcd before those whom he regarded as lis vassals. What jest could restore him the prestige he had enjoyed. what play of words efface the shame of that pub lie reinstatement? Had he been beaten by tie king but thus to suffer at the hand of a foreign fool! And tie mon- arch-would he learn of 1.-the punish mcnt of the royal jester? AS in dream he heard the hateful voices of tic company.
 1 "'Tis not the first time he has been wounded there!' said fearless Gail lette who openly acknowledged his aversion for the kings favorite fool. But be seated. gentle sir" he added to the stranger. land share our rough hospitality" Rough. certes!" commented the oth- CT as he returned his blade to his belt. i And as see no stool"
 There's the thIone! returned Gail lette courteously. Since you have overcome Triboulet his rlrce is yours."
 "A precarious place" said tie new coner easily, dropping, nevertheless. into the chair.
 "The king Is dead! Long live the king" cried the cardinals jester.
 Long live the king" they shouted. ! every fool and zany raising a tankarJ save the dwarf and the young woman, the former continuing to glare vinlic- lively upon the usurrer and tie latter to all intent remaining oblivious of the i ceremony of installation. Poised upon ! a chair, sEe idly thrust her fingers through tie gilded bars of the cage that hung from the rafters and gently strCked the head of the now con- pIaisant bird.
 Poor Jocko! Poor Jockow she mur. mured.
 La. la, la!' sang the parrot. re- sponsive to her light caress.
 Your majesty's wisLes! Your maj. esty's decree" exclaimed the monastic wit worm.
 1 Hear. hear." roared Brusquet. "Silence!" commanded Marot. "His majesty speaks"
 1 "Toot. toot. toot" rang ont the four ish of trumpet. clarion prelude to tLc fiat from tie throne.
 Tie new king in motley arose. heed less, devil may care. ve-y erect in his preposterously pointed shoes. ! "I appoint you. Thony, treasurer of the eychequer. because you are quick at s.eight of hand" Ee began. ! Good" laughed Marot. "An he's more light fingered than his predeces- For. les a master of p-est,d.gitationr You. Brusquet," went on the new master of Fools hail. "I reward with tue government of Gu.enne. for he who governs h.s own house so i'll is surrey fitted for greater tasks of in- co,nretency."
 This allusion to the petticoat rule which domnated the luckess jester at home was received in good part by all save tEe hap.ess domestic bondman himself.
 You. vi,lot are made admiral of the fleet"
 yillot smiled. thinking how Francis Ind 'nt recently bestowed that office upon the impoverished husband of pretty Mme. d'Etail.e.
 -InanKs. your majesty" he began. but if some post nearer home"-
 You are to sail at once.'
 But my wife'-
 "Will remain at court" announced the dukes jester With great dec.s.on. vilot made wry face. The king in . motley smiled significantly. "A safe haven. yil.ot. Besides. remember court without ladies is like spring without flowers"
 A movement resembling apprehen- sion swept through tie company The ep.ram had been Francis: the court. 6 flower Jed of roses. was in conse- qUence a tiioruy maze for jester to tread. From Ter chair at the far end of the room tie young woman looked at the newcomer for the first time since his enthroneIent. Her fingers yet played between tile g.ided bars: tLe posture sl.e had assumed set forth the pliant grace of Ter figure. Above tbe others. she glanced at him. her hair very black against tie golden cage: her arm. very white. half un- sLcI;hed from the greIt hanging sleeve. You are overoold." she said. ue- cuI-ar sm.le upon Ter lips.
 Nay. I have spoken uo treason. mis- .----- l.. | I.I