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

"Sit here, fool" she said, not unkind.
", land you may tell me more about
the duke. his exploits-of that battle
when he saved the life Of the emperor"
me Jester made no move to obey,
but. looking down, answered coldly,
'"rhe duke, madam. likes not to have
his poor deeds exploited"
Poor deedsw she returned and
seemed about to reply more sharply
when something In his face held her
silent.
Leaning her head on her hand, she
appeared to forget his presence, mo-
tionless save for foot that waved to
and fro, betraying her restless mood.
The sound Of her dress, the swaying Of
the foot, held his attention. In that lit
tie bower the air was almost stlfiing,
laden with the perfume of many flow.
ers. Even the song Of the birds grew
fainter. Only the tiny fountain. more
assertive than ever, became louder and
louder. The princess breathed deeply,
half arose. A vine caught in her hair.
She stopped to disentangle 1t, then held
herself erect.
How close It Is in here" she muir
INJURED, arranging the tress the plant
had disturbed 600 to the door, fool,
and see II you can find your MASTER
lnvoluntarily he had stepped toward
her. as though to assist her, but now
stopped. His face changed. He even
laughed. That last word from her lips
seemed to break the spell Of self con-
troll that held him.
"My master!" he said in hard.
scofling tone. "Whom mean yol--the
man who left you to go to the soldier?
That blusterer my master! That swag-
gering trooper
Her inertncSs vanished. The sudden
anger and wonderment in her eyes
met the passion in his.
"How dare you-dare you she be-
gan.
"He is neither my master nor tho
duke. but a mere freebooter a noun
tain terrorist"
Pride and contempt replaced her sur
prise. but Indignation still remained.
His audacity in coming to her with
this fnlsehood, his hardihood in main
tanning it. admitted of but one expln.
nation. BY her cOmplaisance in the
past she had famed the embers of a
passion which now burst beyond con.
troll. She realized how more than fair
she looked that evening. Had she not
heard it from many? Had not the eyes
Of the kings guest told her? And she
believed that this lie must have sprung
to the TESTERS lips while he was re-.
garding her.
AS the solution crossed her mind. re-
vealing the PLEASANT, a desperate and
despicable as we'll as lowly wooer, her
face relaxed In the desire to test her
conclusion she laughed quietly, mu.
sically Cruelty kind smiled the prin.
cess.
"You are mad" she breathed softly.
"You IRE mad - because - because
you
He started studying her eagerly. He
fancied he read relenting softness in
her gaze. a flash Of memory into a
past, where glamour and romance and
the heart history of the rose made up
life's desideratum, wherein existence
was but an allegory Of loves quest and
the goal it's contamination. Had she
not bent sedulously over the rose Of the
poet? Had not her breath come quick
~. eagerly? Could he not feel 1t yet,
sweet and warm on his cheek? Into
the past. having gone so far, he STEP
ped now boldly. as though to grasp
again those Elusive colors and seize
anew the intangible substance. He
was but young. when shadows seem
solid, when dreams are corporal stuff
and fantasies, rocklike strata Of real
ity.
So he knelt before her. YES" he
said, II love you"
And he thus remained. pale. inert,
all resentment or jealousy succeeded
by stronger emotion, feeling chival-
ric that bent itself to glad thraldom,
the desire but to serve her. to save
her. His heart beat faster. He raised
his head proudly.
"Listen, princess" he began. Though
! meant it not, fear ! have greatly
wronged you. l have much to ask your
pardon for, much to tell you. 1t IL l.
| r.
The words died on his lips. From the
princess face all softness had sudden.
ly vanished. Her gaze passed him. cold,
naughty. Across the illusory positive.
ness Of his world. immaterial. psyche
logical, ghostly, an intermediate orb, q
tangible shadow, was thrown. Behind
him stood the free baron and the king.
Quickly the fool sprang to his feet.
"Princess" exclaimed the hoarse
voice of the master of HOchfels.
my lOrd?"
For n moment neither spoke, and
then the clear. cold voice of the prin-
cess broke the silence.
Are all the fools in your country 90
presumptuous, my lord!" she said
~ - !
e. d,lERS(22