Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-03-07
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This news makes 1t the more neces-
sary l should hasten to the king" lie
said. The emperor's message-Fran-
els should receive it at once. Here,
therefore. must leave you; or why do
you not return with me?" addressing
the jester. The letter from Charles
will eXonerate you, and Francis will re-
ward you in proportion to the injuries
you have suffered. What say you,
mistress?"
That will never go back" she an
swered briefly and looked away.
Caillette's perplexity was relieved by
the plaisant. Farewell, il you must
leave" said the latter. "We meet
again, trust"
"'rhe fates willing" returned the
poet. Farewell, and good fortune 60
with you both" And, wheeling abrupt
ly, he rode slowly back. The jester
and the girl watched him disappear
over the road they had come.
"A true friend" said the PLEASANT as
Caillette vanished in the gloom.
You regret not returning with him,
perhaps?" she observed quickly. Hon
ors and offices Of preferment are not
plentiful"
Il want none of them from Francis"
he returned as they started slowly on
their way.
Their horses crept along; the girl
bent forward wearily heretofore the ex-
citement and danger had sustained her,
but now the reaction from all she had
endured bore down upon her. She
thought of calling to the fool, Of crav-
ing the rest she so needed, but feel
ing of pride or constraint held her
silent. Before her the shadows danced
illusively. the film Of brightness chang
ed and Shifted, then all glimmering
and partial shade were swallowed up
in black chasm.
Riding near, the jester observed her
form sway from side to side and spur
red forward. In moment he had
clasped her waist, then lifted her from
the saddle and held her before him.
"Jacquelinev' he cried.
She offered no resistance. Her head
remained motionless on his breast. Sed-
ulously he bent over her. The warm
breath reassured him; tired nature had
simply succumbed.
Gathering the young form gently to
him, the jester rode slowly on, and
the horse of his companion followed.
So he went, he knew not how long,
listening to her breathing that came
full and deep, half fearing, half Won
dering at that relaxation. For the first
time he forgot about the emperor and
his purpose, the free baron and the de-
sires of sweet Arrangement. He thought
only of her he held; how courageous yet
alone she was in the world; how she
had planned the service which won her
the right to his projections; her flight
from Francls-but where? To whom
could she go? To whom could she
turn? Unconscious she lay In his
arms in that deep sleep or heavy In
ertia following exhaustion, her pale
face against his shoulder, and as the
young plaisant bent over her his heart
thrilled with protecting tenderness.
And. but for him, whom else had
she? This young girl, had she not be-
come his burden Of responsibility, his
moral obligation? For the first time
he seemed to realize how the fine ten
drills of hel nature had touched his;
touched and clung. ever so gently, but
fast
He saw her, too, secretly and silent
ly cherishing a new faith In her bos-
ON amid throng, lax and infirm OF
purpose. and wonderment gave way to
another emotion as his mind leaped
from that past, with its covert, inner
life. to the untrammeled moment when
she had thrown off the mask in the SOL
itude Of the forest.
Afar the bell Of some wanderer from
the herd tinkled drowsily, arousing him
from his reverie. The horses were as
cending. The road emerged into
plain set with bracken and gorse,
with here and there single tree whose
inclining trunk told Of storms braved
for many seasons. Near the highway,