Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-28

Ecit backward Wiu. q crash.
master of tile boar rubbed his shoulder,
matchmaking roundly the cause Of
the disaster.
II think my arms put out" he said.
"Is the creature dead?" he added vi.
ciously.
"Beshrew me, I thought the jester
was a craven" growled he Of the boar.
what does it mean?"
THAT he saw the snare and spread
another" replied the host.
"Go back to your room, Mistress
whispered the plaisant to the young
girl, "and lock yourself in"
"Nay. I'll not leave you," she replied.
"Do you think they will return?' she
added In voice she strove to make
firm.
81 am certain Of It. Go, beg you, to
your window and call out. 1t is slen-
der hope, but the best we have. Fear
not. l can hold the stairs yet awhile"
A moment she hesitated. then glided
away. At the same time he OF the boar
grasped sword In his left hand and.
with his right hanging useless. rushed
up the stairs.
"Oh, there you are, my nimble wit
cracker he cried as the jester stepped
boldly out. "'Twas a pretty piece or
foolery you played OH the monster and
Us, but 'IL.ii -
And, so Slc.n...-. 20 .-.,,.-. "a '''-,''i'
thrust. which. had IL ta..rL effect
would indeed have made god III" lead
er's threat.
But the plaisant stepped aside. the
blow graZeI his shoulder. while his
own blade by Il rapid counter passed
through the throat of his antagonist.
With IA shrek. the blood gushing from
the wound, the master of the boar fell
lifeless OH the stairs, his swori clat'
tering downSard At that grewsome
sight his fellows paused irresoute. and,
seeing their indecision, the jester
rushed headlong upon them, striking
fercely, when their hesitation turned
into panic. and the knaves fairly flew.
Below the irate landlord stamped and
fumed, cutting and striking as he
moved among them with threats aud
abuse.
Thus exhorted, the knaves once more
took heart and gathered for the at.
tack. Glaves were provided for those
in front. and the plaisant waited. GRIM
ly determined, yet liking little the as
pect of those terrible weapons and
feeling the end of the unequal contest
was not far distant, when light hand
was laid on his arm.
"Follow me quietly" said Jacqueline.
I'VE may yet escape. Don't question
me. but come" she went OH hurriedly.
Impressed by her earnestness. the
jester.l after moments hesitation
obeyed. She led him to her room,
| closed and locked the door. but not be-
fore scampering Of feet and sound or
voices told them the rogues had gain
ed the upper passage. and drew MN
hastily to the window.
"See." she said eagerly. "a LADDER
"And Mt the foot Of the ladder our
horsesw he exclaimed In surprise
"Who has done this?
Her response was interrupted by
hand ut their door and clamor with
out. followed by heavy blows.
"Ouck. Jacqueline" he cried and
helped her to the long ladder set. rs 1t
seemed. providentally against the wall,
"Can you do it?' he asked. yet hold
ing her hand Her eyes gave him an
swer. and he released her. watching
her descend.
The door quivered beneath the gen
eral onslaught Of the now exultnnt out
laws. and as a glave shattered the
panel the lester threw himself over the
easement. A deafening hubbub Ell
sued, the door suddenly gave way, an"
the band rushed into the room. Al
the same time the plaisant ran dOwr
the ladder and sprang to the ground
| at the young wife's side. From above
came eyclamations Of wonder nnd
amazement. mingled with invective.
"Theyre gone!" cried one.
"Here they arew exclaimed another.
The lester Mt once seized the means
of descent. but not before the man
who had discovered them was on the
upper rounds. A quick effort on the
FOOLS part and ladder and rogue top
pied over together The enterprising
knave lay motionless where he fell.
"yrai Dieu! He wanted to come
down." said an approving voice.
Turning, the jester beheld the Span
ish troubadour who was cOmposedly
engaged in placing bundles of straw
against the wall Of the inn.
81 don't think he'll bother you any
more" continued the minstrel in his
deep tones. IF you'll ride down the
road I'll join you In moment"
So saying, he knelt before the COM
bustible accumulation he had been dill
gently heaping together and struck
spark which, seizing on the dry ma
terial. Immediately kindled into great
flame.
"What are you doing. villain? roar
ed the landlord from the window, dis
covering the forks Of fire already leap
ing and cracking about the tavern.
"Only making bonfire Of foul
nest" lightly answered the minstrel
standing back as though to admire his
handiwork. your vile hostelry burns
WELL my assembling host"
"Hell dog! Varlet! screamed the pro
prietor. overwhelmed with consterna
ton.
"Is It thus you greet your guests|
| -u.l 4l,o troIlndnuH flraWinY au.