Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-03-07

what mean you, fOol?' demanded
the horseman sternly.
THAT l have run away from the
duke. fool" answered the hunchback
"'rhe foreign lord dared to beat me
TribOulet--who have only been beateI
by the king. Sooner or later must
have fled in any event. for what Ii
Triboulet without the court or the
court without Triboulet?' his indigna
ton mercing into arrogant vainglOry.
"N'hca did YOU leave the duke:' ask
| e.i the otle, slowly.
Several days ago." replied the
dwarf. gazing narrowly ut his ques
tioner. 'Down the road. He should
be far away by this time"
Suap.ciously the dukes Jester regard
ed the E,mchback and then glanced du
D:ousiy toward the gate through whicl
:hey had entered the town. He hat
experienced Triboulet's duplicity ant
malice. yet in this instance was dis
| posed t. give credence to his story, be
cause he doubted not that Louis oi
| uochfel; would make all haste out ol
Francis kingdom. Nor did it appear
unreasonable that Triboulet should
| pine for the excitement Of his former
life, the pleasures and gayety which
prevailed ut Fools hall. If the hunch
| backs information were true they neet
now have little fear Of overtaking the
free baron and his following. as moi
far beyond the chateau town the main
road broke into two parts, the one con
| tinuing southwark and the Other
branching of to the east.
While the horseman was thus re-
fecting. Triboulet. like an imp. began
| to dance before them.
~ good joke. my master and mis-
tress in motley" he cried. "The king
was weak enough to exchange his
dwarf for demoiselle. The latter has
fed: the monarch has neither one nor
the other, therefore is he himself the
fool. And thou. mistress. art also
worthy of the madcap BELLS he added
his distorted face uptlIrnel to the jes'
treSS.
How so:" she asked, not concealine
the repugnancc he inspired.
Because you prefer fools cap to q
kings crown" he answered. looking
significantly at her companion. "where'
in you but followed the royal prefer
ence for head coverings. IIo. ho!
saw which way the wind blew; lrow
the monarch's eyes kindled when they
rested on you; how the wings of Nine.
d'Eiampes' Golf fluttered like an angry
butterfly"
"Silence. rogue" commanded the
dukes fool, wheeling his horse toward
the dwarf.
"And then for her to turn from a
throne room to dungeon went on
Tribouet satirically as he retreated.
"As Brusqupt wrote, twas
"Morblcu, a merry monarch and a
jestrcss fair;
A jestress fair. I ween!"
But ere the hunchback could finish
this scurrllous doggerel of the court,
over which doubtless many loose wit
lings had laughed, the girls compan-
lon placed his hand on his sword and
started toward the LT..ii. Ihc wori.
died on Tribouict's lips. il"at.!y Ec
lodged into narrow space between
two houses, where he WAS safe from
pursuit. Jacquelines face had become
flushed. Her lips were compressed.
The countenance of the dukes plaisant
seemed paler than its wont.
Little monsterw he muttered.
But the hunchback in his retreat was
now regarding neither the horseman
nor the young girl. His glittering eyes,
as If fascinated, rested on the weapon
of the plaisant.
"What fine blade you've got there"
he said curiOusly. much better than
wooden sword. Jeweled, too, by the
holy bagpipe! And coat of arms
more excitedly-"yes, the coat of arms
of the great constable of Dubrois! AS
proud n sword as that Of the king.
Where did you get it," And in his
sudden interest the dwarf half VEN
turel from his place of refuge.
answer him not!' said the girl
hastily.
WAS it you. mistress, gave 1t him."
he asked. with a sudden sharp look.
her contemptuous gaze was her only
reply.
by the dust of kings, when last l
saw it, the naughty constable himself
it was who wore it, continued Tri-
boulet. AYE. when he defied Francis
to his face. l can see him now, rich
surcoat over his gilded armor, the
queen mother gazing at him with all
her soul in her eyes, the brilliant COM
pany startled, even the king overawed
Twas | broke the spell, while the
monarch and the court were silent, not
daring to speak"
your From the young woman's
eyes flashed a flame Of deepest ha-
tired.
The hunchback shrank back, then
laughed. II, Triboulet!' he boosted.
".Ha,' said l, hes greater than the
kingr whereupon Francis frowned.
started and answered the constable, re-
fusing his claim. Not long thereafter
the constable died in Spain, and COM
pleted the jest. 'So,' said l, he Is less
than a man And the king, who re-
membered, laughed"
LET us CO." said the jestress. very
white.
Silently the plaisant obeyed. and Tri-
boulet once more ventured forth.
"Momus 60 with you" he called out
after them.
More quickly they rode on. Furtive-
ly, with suppressed rage In his heart,
the dukes fool regarded his COM
panion. Her face was cold and set,
and as his glance rested Oh its pale,
pure outline, beneath his breath he
cursed Brusquet, Triboulet and all
their kind. He understood now-too
well-the secret of her flight. What
he had heretofore been fairly assured