The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-02-17
BY FREDERIC S. IsHAM.
CHAPTER v.
Author Of "The StroIlers

yT TIHROCGH the fowery path, 60
narrow her gown brushed the
Ef fpSI leaves on either side. the
Princess Louise appeared.
walking slowly. Intentiy the Jester
watched her draw near and ever nearer
their common trysting spot, her favor.
ite garden nook. A handsome bride.
forsooth, 40 Jacqueiine had suggested.
All In white was she now, giittering
white. with silver adornment. ravisll.
ingiy hymeneai. A bride for duke
or king. more stately than the queen,
handsomer than the favorite OF favor
tics who ruled the king and France.
'Jacqueline," she said, evincine mel.
ther surprise nor any other emotion as
she approached, sgO and fetch my fan.
1 believe tbs In the kings antecham.
ber.v
Madam carried no fan when''- be-
gan the girl
Then tits somewhere else. DO not
handy words, but find It."
Sinking on the bench as the maid
walked quickly away, she remained
for some moments In silent thought. q
-reverie the Jester forbore to disturb.
Against the clambering Ivy which for
centuries had reveled In this chosen
spot lay her hand, q small ring Of curl
Gus workmanship cleaning from her
hnger The ring caused the Jester to
start, remembering he had last seen ie
worn by the king.
Idly the Princess Louise plucked q
leaf from the old. old vine, picked It
apart and let the pieces fioat away.
As they futtered and fell at the Jest
ers feet She regarded him with
thoughtful blue eyes.
How far Is IT, she asked, ITO the
dukes principalityT
II lie had doubted the maids story
lie was now convinced. The ring nnd
her question confirmed Jacaueline's
narrative.
About fifteen days journey, prin.
cess" he replied
"No fartherT
Barring accidents, II may be made
in that time"
She did not notice how dull was his
tone. how he avoided her gaze. Blind
70 him. she turned the ring around ana
7arSn1d ON barI finger. ass though hsr
thoughts were! concentrated on Il.
Academia she repeated, her hanA
now motioniess. '.Is the way peril
eus2'
''rhe country is most unsettled"
what do you mean by unsettledr
she continued. bending forward with
fingers clasped over her knees.
''The country is infested with many
rowing bands commander by the 80
caliel independent barons who owe al
legikhce to neither king nor emperor"
he answered. "Their homes are perch.
cd, like eagles nests, upon some noun
tain peak that commands the valleys
travellers must proceed through. A
fierce, untamed crew. bent on rnpine
and murder!'
did you encounter any suchf" gen.
tly.
"Ofttimes."
"And left unscathedT'
because was jester, madam:
something less than man; q lordling's
slave, ve,Ryome9s plaything! Their SEN
hnels shared with me their TASKS; I
slept before their signal fires and even
supped in the heart Of their stone fast
nesses. Fools and monks are safe
among them, for the one amuses and
the other absolves their sins. Yet Is
there one free baron" he added rehec-
lively, whom even should have done
well to avoid; he. the most feared, the
most savage! Louis Of Pfalz- Urfeldv'
Have you ever met him 7" asked the
princess In mechanical tone.
mo" with short laugh. "a few Of
his knaves encountered, however,
whose conduct shamed the courtesy Of
the other mountain rogues. oil but
Jared I'll indeed from them. To the
pleasantly Of my greeting they replied
with true pllferer's humor; the free
= baron had ordered every one searched.
They would have robbed and stripped
me. despite the color Of my coat. only
fortunately instead Of fools stan
I. had good blade Of the dukes. For q
moment 1t was cut md thrust-not Jest
and gibe. The suddenness of the at
tack surprised them. and before they
could digest the humor Of IL the fool
Shad slipped away"
THE duke would not be moiested by
these outlawsT she continued, pursu-
ing her line Of questioning.
The duke has strong arm" he an
swered cautiously. "They may be well
content to permit him TO come and so
a. be sees IT."
''weii, WELL" she said perverseiy, II
was only curious about the distance
and the country"
"For leagues the land Is wild, bleak,
inhospitable, and then It's level, mo-
{ notonous, deserted, so lonely the song
dies on the wandering minstrel's lips.
But the duke rides fast with his troop
and soon would cover the mountain
paths and dreary wastes"
Nay" she interrupted impatientiy,