Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-03-28

| Spectivcly. I'VE were young iii Year,
and lot tempered
"Your majesty remembers the girl-s
dark brov'ctl. bold creature" remark
ed the duchess. smiling amiably.
Ozark browe!. perhaps, madam. but
observed nothing bold In her de
meanor." answered the king.
"Wl.at. a jastress and not bold! A
girl who frequented Fools hall. who
ran away from court with the plai
san;." She "lanred at him miscEie
-oasly. like Il willful child. but before
l.; from t:.c smile faded. Involunta
rily SIZE clinciied her hands.
sMadam." lie replied cynically, 81
have always noticed that women are
poor jn,ges of their own SEX"
And. conducting her to n seat, he
raised her jewc!ed fingers nerfunctori
ly to his lips and. wheeling abruptly
left her.
"Ah." thought Triboulet ominously.
who had been closely observing them
1.-THE king is much displeased."
| luc uuCuCSS OOStl NCu thC
krch's lack of warmth? At any rate
somewhat perpleXedly size regarded
the departing figure of the king, then
humming lightly, turned TO mirror to
adjust ringlet which had fallen from
the golden net binding her tresses.
Mere de Dieu, woman never held
man or king by signing" she thought,
remembering tie Countess of Chateau
briant. a veritable Niobe when the
monarch had sent her home.
But TriboUlet drew Il WHY face. His
little heart was beating tremulously
Dark. shadows crossed his mind. Two
portclitous stars had appeared in the
horoscope of his destiny-he who had
been the foreign fool; she who was the
daughter of the constable. Almost
fiercely the hunchback surveyed the
beautiful woman before him. With
her downfall would come his own. and
he believed the king had wearied of
her. How hateful was her fair face
to him ut that moment! Already In
s,lllttluI tiS pittNi
ness of the fall from his high estates
and shudderingly looked back to his
own lowly beginning--a beggarly street
player of bagpipes, ragged. wretched,
importuning passersby for coppers, re-
viled by every urchin. But she, meet.
ing his glance and reading his thought
only clapped her hands recklessly.
How unhappy you look she said.
Madam, do you think the duke
he began.
II think he will cut off your head, "
she exclaimed, and Triboulet turned
yellow, but few m, Ints later took
heart. the duchess was so lightsOmc.
by my sword-if l had one-our
jcstress has made triumphant re-
turn" commented Caillette as lie stood
with the Duke Of Friedwald near one
of the windows. surveying the animat-
ed scene. Already are some Of the
ladies jealous as Barbary pigeons. Her
appearance has been remarked by the
Due de Montrin and other gentlemen
In attendance, and-look! Now the
great De Guise approaches her. Here
one belongs to everybody"
The other did not answer, and Gail.
lette glanced quickly at him. you
will not think me overbold," he went
on after moments hesitation, 'if l
mention what is being whispered by
them?" including in look and the
uplifting Of his eyebrows the entire
court.
The duke laid his hand warmly on
the shoulder of the poet fool. as there
not that between us which precludes
the question:"
Il should not venture to speak about
It," continued Caillette, meeting the
dukes gaze frankly, "but that you
once honored me with your confidence.
That was much puzzled when met
you and our erstwhile jestress matters
not Twas for me to dismiss my won.
derment and not strive to reconcile
my neighbOrs affairs. But when |
hear every one talking about my
friend-it is no gossip's task to come
to him with the unburdening of the
prattlc."
"What are they saying, Caillette?"
asked the duke, in his eyes darker
look.
THAT you would wed this maid
but that the king will use his friendly
offices with Charles to prevent It."
And do they say why Francis will
so use his influence" continued the
other.
Because Of the claim such union
might give an alien house to a vast
estate in France-the confiscated prop
erty of the constable Of Dubrols. And
but the other reason Is but babble,
malice-what you will" And Gail
lette's manner quickly changed from
grave to frivolous. Now, au revoir;
I'm off to Fools hail." he concluded.
"Whenever it becomes dull for you
seek some of your old comrades there"
And, laughing, Caillette disappeared.
Thoughtfully the duke continued to
observe the jestress Between them
whirled the vOtaries Of pleasure; before
him swept the fragrance Of delicate
perfumes; in his ears sounded the sub
tie enticement of soft laughter. Her
face wore proud, self reliant express
sion: her eyes that look which had
made her seem so Elusive from the in
ception Of their acquaintance. And
now, since his identity had been re-
vealed, she had seemed more puzzling
to him than ever. When he had sought
her glance, her look had told him moth
ing. 1t was as though with the doffing
of the motley she had discarded its
recollections. In a tentative mood he
had striven to fathom her, but found
himself at loss. She had been neither
reserved nor had she avoided him. To
March,