Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-14

Jester decisively. Had he come back
you would have heard"
Quickly she looked at him. Caillette
Spain. These were the words he had
often uttered in his delirium. Although
he seemed much better and the hot
flush had left his cheeks. his fantasy
evidently remained.
"A week and over" resumed the fool,
more to himself than to his companion.
But he still may return before the
duke is welded"
"And If he did return?" she asked,
wishing to humor him.
"Then the duke is not like to marry
the princess" he burst out.
Not like-to marry" she replied sud,
denly and moved toward him. Her
clear eyes were full upon him. Closely
she studied his worn features. Not
like-but he has married herr
The jester strove to spring to his
feet but his legs seemed us relaxed as
his brain was daZed.
HAS married? Impossible" he ex-
claimed fiercely.
"rhey were welded two days since. y
she went OH quietly, possibly regret
ting that surprise or she knew not what
had made her speak.
"Wedded two days since!'
He repeated it to himself, striving to
realize what it meant.
"You must have your drollery.' he
said unsteadily ut length.
She did not reply. and he continued
to question her with his eyes. Quite
still she remained save for an almost
imperceptible movement of breathing.
Against the dull beams from the aper-
ture above her hair darkly framed her
face, pale. dim with half lights. illuso-
ry. When lie again spoke his voice
sounded new to his own ears.
How could the princess have been
married? Even If I have lain here as
long as you say. the day for the we'd
ding was set for ut least week from
now"
But changed" she responded uneS-
pectedly.
"Chnngedw he cried. sitting on the
edge H the couch and regarding her
us th.slgh lie doubted he had heard
Alright. "Why should it have been
changed"
Because the duke became a most
impatient sultor." she answered. "Dai-
" he grew more eager. Finally to at
tain his end he importuned the count
ess. She laughed, but good naturedly
nc,",. cd TO his ~. .u' ~ in turn in
pJrt;.ncd tie King. who Scncrousl!
yielded 1t las been II rare laughing
r.;tter ut court that the duke. who up
pcared the least passionate adorer
should really have been such IL restless
one"
"Dolt that have been" exclaimed
the jester. with more anger. IL seemed
to the girl, than jealousy. And so he
they are gone, Jacqueline?'
Yes" she returned, surprised ut his
language and for the first time won
dering II the dukes woo!ng admitted
Of other complications than she had
suspected. ''rhey are OH their way t.
the dukes kingdom"
"His kingdOm" said the fool. with
derision. But so on. Tell me about
1t, JacquelIne-how they set out on
their journey"
"They were married In the Chapelle
de Ia Trimte," responded the girl. hest
tating. Then. with an odd side look.
she went on rapidly: THE bridal party
made an imposing cavalcade; the prin-
cess in her litter behind number Of
maids OH horseback. Besides the
groom's own men the king sent Il
strong escort to the border. and thus
1t was numerous company that rode
from the castle, with colors flying and
the princess handkerchief futtering
from her litter last farewell
"A last FAREWELL repeated the fool.
"a splendid picture. Jacqueline. They
all shouted Te Deum, and none stood
there to warn her"
ITO warn" retorted the jestress
"Not maid but envied her that spec
tacle-the masnilicence and splendor."
But not what will follow" he said
and, lying back on his couch. closed
his eyes.
The free baron must have known the
emperor was in Spain and had met the
fools stratagem with Il final mastery
meneuver. The bout was over, the first
great bout; but in the next-would
there be n next? Jacqueline's words
now implied doubt.
"You are soon to leave here" she
said, "fOr Paris"
why am / to leave for Parish he
remarked absently.
Because they are going to take you
there" she returned ito be tried US II
hereto" He started and again sat up.
I'm your room was found book by
Calvin. Now n hereto need expect no
mercy. They are placed in cages hung
from beams over the fire." Abruptly
she arose. "Would you escape such
fate" she added.
He remained silent, thinking that II
the mission to the emperor miscarried
his own position might, indeed. be past
mending. II the exposure Of the free
baron were long delayed the FOOLS as
surance In his own ultimate release
might prove but vain expectation. In
Paris the trial would doubtless not be
protracted. From the swift tribunal
to the slow fire constituted no compli-
Gated legal process, and appeal there
was none, save to the king, from whom
might be expected little mercy. less
justice.
Escape" the jester answered, dwell
ing OIL these matters. But how?'
"Gy leaving this prison" she answer
ell, l3wCv..:.g her voice.
Ha piancod significantly Ht the walls