The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-03
"You underestimated him ~

lald. ana now-who am ] that thc
king should listen to me7N At best, IL
I denounce him, they would probably
consider it bit Of pleasantly or-maa
ness"
Yes" reluctantly assented Caillette,
Triboulet's words, 81 fool in love with
the princessr' recurring to him. cit
would be undoubtedly even as you
say"
The dukes Jester looked down
thoughtfully. He had only half en-
pressed to the French plaisant the
doubts which had assailed him since.
his Interview with Louis Of Hochfels.
Who could read the minds OF mon
archs, the motives actuatlng them?
Should he he able to convince Francis
OF the deception practiced upon him,
| was 1t altogether unlikely that the king
might not be brought to condonc the
| ofense for the sake of an alliance with
| this Louis of Pfalz- -Urfeld and the 9TH
er unconqueraDle free barons of the
| Austrian border against Charles him.
| self?
The voice of Caillette broke in upon
his thoughts.
"You will not, then. attempt to de-
nounce him.?
The fool hesitated. "Alone-out of
favor with the king, like not to risk
the outcome-but-if I may depend
upon you
did ever friend refuse such q call?"
exclaimed Caillctte promptly. A quick
| glance of gratitude flashed from the
| others eyes
There Is one flaw in the free baron's
| position" resumed the dukes fool more
| confidently. "a fatal one twill prove
If 1t Is possible to carry out my plans.
| He thinks the emperor is in Austria.
and his followers guard the road
through the mountains. He tells HIM
self not only are the emperor and the
Duke of Friedwald too far distant to
hear of the pretender and interfere
| with the nuptials. but that he obviates
even the contingency of their learning
OF that matter at all by controlling the
way through which the messengers
must go. Thus rests lie in double Sc
curity-but an imaginary one"
| what mean your asked Caillette
attentively, from his manner giving
fuller credence to the extraordinary
news he had just learned.
II
| Austria, but in Aragon, Mt Saragossa,
where he can be reached in time to
prevent the marriage. Just before my
leaving, the emperor, to my certain
knowledge. secretly departed for Spain
on matters pertaining to the governing
or Aragon. Charles plays n deep game
in the affairs Of Europe. though he
works ever silently apd unobtrusively.
Is he not always beforehand with your
king? When Francis was preparing
the gorgeous Field Of the Cloth of Gold
for his English brother. did not Charles
quietly leave for the little isle and
there. without beat of drum, arrange his
own affairs before Henry was even
seen by your pleasure loving monarch
Yes; to the impostor and to Francis.
Charles is in Austria; to us-for now
you share my secrets he in Spain.
where by swift riding he may be found
and yet interdict in this matter"
Then why haven't you ere this fed
to the emperor with the news?"
Last night I had determined to get
away. when first was assaulted by
an assassin of the impostor and next
detained by his troop and brought back
i
trusting to excite less suspicion, and
hoping TO find horse OH the way, but
fortune was with the pretender. So
here am 1, closely watched and wait
Ing" he added grlmly.
The indifference faded from Gail
lette's face and almost boyish en-
thuslasm shone in his eyes.
| "Mon ami, I'll do itr' he exclaimed
lightly. "Pll ride to the emperor for
you"
| Silently the jester Of the duke wrung
his hand. "I've long sighed for an ad-
venture" laughed Caillette, "and here
Is the opportunity. Caillette, knight
errant! But" his face falling. "the
emperor will look on me as q mad
man."
May" replied the dukes plaisant,
"here Is letter. When he reads it he
will Mt least think the affair worth
consideration. He knows me and
trusts my fidelity and will be assured
I would not jest on such a serious mat
ter. Believe me. he will receive you
as more than q mailman"
| "Why, then, twill be a rare adven-
ture." commented the other, wander
ing in the country-the beautiful coun-
| try. where I was reared-away from
! the madness Of courts. Already hear
the wanton breczes signing in Sapphic
Boftness and the forests elegiac MUIR
muir. Tell me, how shall rideT
S"As knight to the border. thence
Onward as a minstrel. In Spain there's
always a welcome for bllthe singer"
"'Tis fortunate learned some Span
ish love songs from a fair sonora who
MaS in Charles retInue the time he yis-