Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-28

occurred to you that before the day is over all the village will be laughing al the spectacle of their commandant-- pardon me-being led by the nose by a jester:"
 The officers sunburned face became yet redder. He drowned. then glanced suspiciously at Triboulet, whose repu- tation was France wide.
 [ This man was the dukes fool screamed the dwarf. and was impris- oned by order of the king. His con- panion who is here with him was for merly jestress to the princess. She is a sorceress and bewitched the mon- arch. Then her fancy seized upon the heretic and by her dark art sine open ed the door of the cell for him. To- gether they fied-she from the court, he from prison.'
 The commandant looked curiously from the hunchback to the accused. If this were acting. the dwarf was indeed a master of the art.
 Besides, his haste to leave the viii lage." eagerly went on Triboulet. "Why was he dressed at this hour? Ask the landlord if he did not seem un- duly hurried"
 At this appeal the innkeeper, who had been m interested spectator, now became a not unwilling witness.
 Tt is true he seemed hurried" he answered. When he first came down he ordered breakfast. 1 happened to mention the duke was at the chateau. whereupon he lost his appetite with suspicious suddenness. called for his horses and was for riding off with all haste"
 From the commandant's expression this testimony apparently removed any doubts lie may have entertained. Above the heads of the troopers mass cd in the doorway the dukes plaisant saw Jacqueline standing on the stairs, with wide open dark eyes fastened up on him. lnvoluntarily he lifted his hand to his heart. Across the brief space glance fnelted into glance.
 Prosecuted Calvin maid-had not her fate been untoward enough without this new disaster? Had not the king wrought sufficient i'll 10 her and hers In the past: Would she be sent back to the court. the monarch? For him self. he had no thought but for her. who was nobler even than her birth right. He had been thrice a fool who hnd nf In1 r,f the sight of Triboulet, the clamor of the troopers-and had failed to flee during the night. As he realized the penalty of his negligence would fall so heavily upon her. a cry of rage burst from the fools lips and he sprang to- ward his aggressors. The young girl became yet whiter. \ moment she clung to the baluster. then started to descend the stairs. X dozen swords flashed before her eyes.
 She drew in her breath sharply. when. as if by some magic. the anger faded from the face of the dukes fool. the hand he had .ised to his breast fell to his side. his blade remained sheathed
 Your pardon. my lord" he said to the commandant ''I have no intention of resisting the authority of the law. but if you will grant me few mo ments' private audience in this room promise to convince you the Duke of Friedwald never signed that writ
 Let him convince the council that examines heretics.- laughed TribouIet
 ''I will give you my sword. sir" went on the jester. ''Afterward. if you are satisfied you shall return it to me If you are not. on my word az a man of honor I will go with you without more sdo
 "A Calvinist. jester. man of hon orr cried the dwarf.
 But narrowly the vicomte regarded the speaker. ''Pariieu.-' he exclaimed gTuftiy- Keep your sword. I promise you I can look to my own safetT- And in spite of TrilouIet-S remonstrance he waved back the troopers and closed the door upon the plaisant and himself.
 Outside the dwarf st0rme,l and stamped The jester is desperate. It is the noble count who is a nonny. Open foOI soldiers---
 This command not being obeyei by the men who guarded the entrance the dwarf began to abuse them A considerable interval elapsed The hunchtsack- who dared not go. into the room himself. compromised by knceI- ing before the keyh"Ie- 1t the foot of tlse Sisirs sto"i the girl her strained