The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-02-24

human candlesticks aud va
SENy iets de chambre, and III 90
me to bed," commanded tb,
uuke' standing In the center of hi,
Iom' anu trooper with a fierce ref
nus'ache waved swarm of papes
cuppearers and attendants from the
uoor ana closed 1t. "How are the mer
quartered. Johann7" ''
WIN all the creature comforts mn
O. iord' answered the soldier. pazino
downward. s"|ihe
Hold them In check. Jobonr q,
though we were I'm a cnmnnign - go
the noble. eaio
Yes, my lord" returned tho mo,
Staring impassively before him '
saiuting respectfully. an expression
OF quick intelligence on his fiorid fea.
lures the trooper backed out Of the
room with his hands behind him. his
shoulders bent forward, the duke long
pondered' his look, keen and discern.
'hs. MS perspicacity clear in spite of
FRANCIS wine or the intoxlcation OF tho
princess eyes. Although the mobiles
glance seemed bent OH vacancy, It was
tiniself as We'll rs others he was study
ihg' weighing the memorable events or
the evening, recalling to mind every
word with the princess, reviewing her
features, the softening of her cold dis
dain, now mentally distrustfm becanse
sue was woman, again confident no
already dominated the citadel OF her
heart.
The clear tmkling Of bell broke in
upon his cogitation, q faint musical
sound that seemed ut his very elbow.
lie wheeled about abruptly. saw moth
ing save the mysterious shadows Of the
curtains, the tiickering lamps, the dark
outline OF the canopy Of the great bed.
Instinctively he knew he was not alone
and yet his gaze, rapidly sweeping the
apartment, failed to perceive an in.
trudcr.
Again the tinkling, low laugh, and.
turning sharply toward an alcoye from
whence the sounds came, the duke.
through the half light and trailing.
sombrous shadows Of its entrance, per-
celved a figure in chair From q can-
ole set In spiked enameled stick a
yellow glimmering that came and went
with the sputtering flame rested unon
an ironical a graceful figure in
motley ssY@~ .5and with the iester,a
head and tie berE-.wItnout rising tho
plaisant quiZzically regarded the sur
prlsed nobleman, who In spite OF his
self control had stepped back involun-
tarily ut the suddenness of the encoun-
ter.
Good evening, my lord" said the
fool. II am like the genil Of the tale.
You think Of me and appear"
s,,tyN hi pt ty,n
kings guest bent his heavy brows over
bis deep set eyes and deliberately sur
veyed the fool.
"And now," went on the jester gay
ly, "it is in your mind l am like as sud-
denly to-disappear! Am Mt faultf"
"On the contrary, you are unusually
clear witted." was the answer.
"Oh, my lord, you overestimate my
poor capacity!' returned the noble.
mans unasked caller, with n depreca-
tory gesture.
The hands Of the other worked impa-
tiently. His herculean figure blocked
the doorway. you are n merry fel-
low" he observed. ut is to be regret
ted, but-confess you have brought it
upon yourself"
"W. iy fate? oh, yesv' And he
indifrerently regarded the wand and
the wooden figure upon 1t without NOV
ing from the chair.
duke quietly.
"Fear2 Why should IT.
.ya1ning, the fool stretched his arms,
looking not at the nobleman, but be-
yond him. and instinctively the prin-
cess betrothed peered over his shout.
der In the semidarkness behind. while
his hand quickly sought his sword.
"Fie, most noble duke!' exclaimed
the Jester. 1--WE have no eavesdroppers
or interlopers, believe me. We are en-.
tireIy alone. you and /. master and
fool. There, come no nearer, beg" ID
the nobleman menaclngly moved to
ward him.
"Have you any argument to advance
Sir Fool, why I should not2" said the
other grimly. gleam Of amusement
depicted on his broad face as he paused
the while.
IAN argument sharp as q needle
somewhat longer" replied the Jester
touching his breast and drawing from
between the folds Of his doublet shin
ing hilt.
Harsh and loud laughed the king
guest. "You fool" he said. "you hat
your opportunity below there in tn
hall and missed 1t. You hesitated, wen
blindiy another course. and now" wit
ominous meaning, "you are herer'
Upon the stick q candle dripped
sputtered and went out. The jeste
bent forward and with the coppe
snuffer on the table near by deftl
trimmed the remaining light.