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


peasantry and illumined the lofty
towers of a great manorial chateau.
into the little town at the foot of
the big house rode shortly before
nightfall the jester and his companion.
During the day the young girl had
seemed ditlident and constrained. She
who had been all vivacity and life. Oh
q sudden kept silence, or when she did
speak her tongue had lost its sharp
ness.
His first greeting that morning had
been swift. almost questioning, glance
before which she had looked away.
In her face was the freshness OF dawn,
the grace of springtide. Overhead
sang lark; at their feet brook whis-
pered; around them solitude, vast, in
finite. He spoke and she answered;
her reserve became infectious; they ate
their oaten cakes and drank their wine,
each strongly conscious Of the presence
of the other. Then he rose, saddled
their horses and assisted her to mount.
So they rode. pausing betimes to rest.
and even then she had little to say
save once when they stopped ut rus
tic bridge which spanned stream.
"Who is it that has welded the prin
cess"
For Il raomci., l." Il. Mt answer,
then briefly Ia. .tc.! The ;; 'fy.
"And why did yOa nJt icil me this
before:" she asked when he had tn-
ished.
Would you have credited me then"
he replied, with smile.
Quickly she looked ut him. Was
there that in her eyes which to him
robbed memory of its sting! At their
feet the water leaped and laughed,
curleI arou.. the stones and ran on
with dancing bubbles. Perhaps he re-
turned her glance too readily; perhaps
the recollection of the ride the night
before recurred Orervividly to her, for
she gazed suddenly away. and he won
dered in what direction her thoughts
tended, when she said with some re-
serve:
"Shall we 30 OH Z!
They had not long left the brook and
the bridge when from afar they caught
sight of the regal chateau ana the
clustering progeny of red rooted houses
at its base. At once they drew rein.
"Shall We enter the town. or avoid II
by riding over the mead?' said the
PLEASANT.
What danger would there be In 60
ing ouY, she asked. "WhOm might
we meet"
Thoughtfully he regarded the shin
ing towers of the royal residence. NO
one, I think" be ut length replied, ana
they went on.
Around the town ran great wall,
with wutchtowers and a deep moat
but no person questioned their right to
the freedom OF the place, sleepy sol
dier at the gate merely glancing indif'
ferently at them as they passed be-
meath the heavy archway. GaDled
houses with tendency to incline
from the perpendicular overlooked the
winding street; dull, round panes OF
glass stared ut them fraught with
mystery and the possibility Of spying
eyes behind, but the thoroughfare IN
that vicinity appeared deserted save
for an old woman seated In doorway.
Before this grandam, whose lackius
for ewes were fastened steadfastly be-
fore her, the fool paused and asked
the direction Of the inn.
"Follow your nose, If nature gave
you straight one," cried u jeering
voice from the other side of the thor
oughfare. IF it be crooked, blind
man and dog were better guide"
The speaker. a squat, misshapen hg'
ure, had emerged from a passage turn
ing into the street and now stood,
twirling a FOOLS head on a stick and
gazing Impudcntly at the newcomers.
"Ha, haw laughed the oddity VINO
had volunteered this malapert response
to the jester's inquiry. "YOnder sign
post" pointing to the aged dame, has
lost its fingers, or, rather. It's ears. Bet
ter trust to your nose"
"Tribouletw exclaimed Jacqueline.
"Is 1t you, ladybird?" said the sur
prised dwarf, recognizing in turn the
maid. "And with the PLEASANT" star
ing hard at the fool. Then q cunning