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

s Princess Louise appeared,
watched her draw near and ever nearer
their common trystins spot. her favor.
lite garden nook. A handsome bride,
forsooth. as Jacqueline had suggested.
All in white was she now. a glittering
white. with silver adornment, ravish.
ingly hymeneal a bride for duke
or king. more stately than the queen,
handsOmer than the favorite of favor
ties who ruled the king and France.
'JacQueline." she said. evincing nei-
ther surprise nor any other emotion as
she approached. go and fetch my fan.
l believe It's in the kings antecham.
ber."
MADAM carried no fan whcn"- be.
gan the girl.
"rhen tits somewhere else. DO not
handy words. but find it,
Sinking on the bench as the maid
walked quickly away, she remained
for some moments in silent thought, Il
reverie the jester forbOre to disturb
Against the clambering ivy which for
centuries had reveled in this chosen
spot lay her hand, a small ring of Curl
GUS workmanship cleaning from heI
finger. The ring caused the Jester to
start. remembering he had last seen il
worn by the king.
Idly the Princess Louise plucked q
leaf from the old, old vine. picked il
apart and let the pieces float away
As they tuttered and fell at the jest
er's feet she regarded him witt
thoughtful blue eyes
Glow far is It," she asked, Ito thu
! dukes principality?"
| Ii he had doubted the maids story
he was now convinced. The ring ant
her question confirmed Jacquelne''
narrative.
about fifteen days journey, prin
cess" he replied.
mo farther?'
BARRING accidents. 1t may be made
in that time"
She did not notice how dull was hi
tone. how he avoided her gaze Blint
to him. she turned the ring around anl
around on her finger as though he
Accidents" she repeated her hant
now motioness. us the way peril
Ous:'
THE country is most unsettled
"What do YOU mean by unsettled: 2
she continued. bending forward will
fingers clasped over her knees.
The country is infested with man,
| rnvinv hands commanded L,- tho @.
called Independent barons who owe al
legiance to neither king nor emperor,
he answered. Their homes are perch
cd. like eagles nests, upon some noun
tain peak TINT commands the valley
travellers must proceed through !
fierce. untamed crew, bent on rapin
and murder
did you encounter any such:" gen
tly.
"Ofttimes."
And left unscathed?"
because was Jester. madam
something less than man: lordling'
slave. a wOman's plaything! Their ser
tlnels shared with me their TASKS;
slept before their signal fires and eve
, ! "uPP'b az hVotS VI ShVtt okohV LUIS
nesses. Fools and monks are saf
among them, for the one amuses an
the other absolves their sins. Yet
there one free baron" he added refiet
lively, whom even l should have don
we'll to avoid; he. the most feared, tn
most savage! Louis Of Pfalx.Urfeld"
Have you ever met him?" asked tn
} princess In mechanical tone
mo" with short laugh. "A few q
bis knaves encountered, howeve
whose conduct shamed the courtesy &
D the other mountain rogues. I all bt
Jared Ill indeed from them. TO til
D PLEASANTLY OF my greeting they replis
with true pilferer's humor; the tn
, baron had ordered every one searches
: They would have robbed and stripe