Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-06

I'll warrant ME the story is known
to the entire court ere this" laughed
he lady. Wont Nine. d'Etaillc be In
Z ttmper! And the admiral when he
hears of ii--on the high seas. The king
was eavesdropping. you say. and yet
spared the jester: He must bear a
charmed life
HE dubbed himself the dukes gift,
madam. and boldly claimed privilege
under the poor cloak Of hospitality"
Surely" murmured the princess.
there will he no lack Of entertain
mcnt with this knave under the same
roof too much entertainment, fear
me We'll. admit the bold fellow"
Crossing to the door. the maid push
cd it back, and the figure of the Jester
passed the threshold a figure so grace
full and well built the lady's eyes.
turning toward him with mild inquiry,
fingered with approval: fingered and
were appraised 10 fair, handsome
face. when approval gave way to won
der.
Was this the imprudcnt. hot Drained
rogue who had staggered in Fools
hall and made a farce of the AFFAIRS
Of the nation: His countenance seem.
ed that of u courtipr rather than low.
born scapcgracc his bearing in conso.
nance MS, approaching the princess. he
knelt near the edge of her sweeping
crimson garment Quietly the maid
Withdrew to a corner Of the apartment.
where she seated herself on low
stool. her fingers idly playing with the
delicate carvings of vase OF silver
containing water that had been bless
ed and starding conveniently near the
aspersoriun.
You come from the Duke of Fried
wald fool?" said the mistress. recOv.
erins from her surprise.
Eyes. princess
Louise smiled and looked toward the
maid rs if to say. why. he's model
of decorum" but the girl continued
regarding the figures on the vase,
seemingly indifferent to the scene be-
fore her.
IL hear. srrah. but n poor account
Of your behavior last night" continued
the princess. "You must have Il care
or shall send you back to the duke
and command him to have you whip
ped. You have been here but over
night. yet how many enemies have
YOU made: The king. the admiral and,
last. but not least. "a certain lady. Poor
| fool. You may have saved your neck,
but for how long? File, what an &C
| count must | give Of you to your mas
ter
"Ah. madam" he answered quickly,
| "you show me now the folly of 1t all.' y
| LET me see" she went OH more
| gently, "what we may do. since you
| are penitent The king may forgive
the admiral forget hut the lady-she
will neither forget nor forgive. For
| tunately. think she fears to disobligo
| me. and if let it be known you are
| an Indispensable part of my house
| hold She. paused thoughtfully. BE
sides. she has a little secret she would
keep from the king. Yes. the secret
| will save YOU And Louise smiled
knowingly as one who. although most
devout, perhaps had missed few pa
tiers or credos in listening to idle world
ly gossip.
| MADAM" he said. raising his head
"yOu overwhelm me with your good
| ness
"Oh. like her not: a most designing
creature" returned the lady carelcssly
"Bnt You may rise. Hand me that EN-
broidery," she added when he hat
obeyed. "How do ! know the duke
my betrothed. whom | have never
seen, has not sent you to report upOl
my poor charms? What If you were
only his emissnry?"
"Princess." he answered, II am bu
fool no emissary. II were"-
"Well:'
She smiled indulgently Mt the opcl
admiration written so boldly upon hi
face. and. encouraged by her glance
he regarded her swiftly. comprehen
sively-the masses Of hair the fillet il
confined: eyes soft lidded. dreamy as
summers day; Il figure, pagan In gen
erous proportions: foot. however
petite, Partisan. peeping from bcneatl
a robe. heavy. voluminons. vivid!
''If you were:' she suggested. pass
| llS IL SOlutl tHlouSu CtOt
she held
II would write him the miniature h
has OF you told hut half the truth
so you have seen the miniature?
lies carelessly about. no doubtT' Ye
her tone was not one Of displeasure.
"The duke frequently draws 1t fror
his breast to look at it,"
"And so many handsome women 4
the kingdom. too" laughed the prir
cess. "A tiny. paltry bit Of vellum"
Her lips curled indulgently, as of
person sure of herself Did not til
FOOLS glance pay her that tribute (
which she was not stranger? He
lashes. suddenly lifted. met his full,
and drove his look. grown Overbold, I
cover. Tie princess smiled. She Nigh
well believe the stories about hin
, yet was not i'll pleased Like maste
like man." says the provcrb. She col
tinued to survey the graceful fgur'
well poised head and handsome fes
t lures of the jester.
"Tell INC, sirrah,' she continued. "a
the duke. Straightforwardly or J.
r leave thee to the mercy of madam, tn
admiravs wife! What ia he llke7"
, "a fairly likely mani"
: "'Tis what one says OF man whs
= one can say nothing else. He Is no
! then. handsome|