Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-17

tIe power Ine ar was aImOBt 6CluluS, laden with the perfume of many flow CTS. Even the song of the birds grew fainter. Only the tiny fountain, more l assertive than ever, became louder and louder. The princess breathed deeply, half arose. A vine caught in her hair. She stopped to disentangle it, then held herself erect.
 How close it is in here!' she mur- mured, arranging the tress the plant had disturbed. GO to the door, fool, and see if you can find your master''
 Involuntarily he had stepped toward her. as though to assist her, but now stopped. His face changed He even laughed. That last word from her lips seemed to break the spell of self con- trol that held him.
 "My master" he said in a hard, scoffing tone "Whom mean you--the man who left you to go to the soldier? That blusterer my master. That swag- gering trooper!' Her inertness vanished. The sudden ! anger and wOnderment in her eyes met the passion in his.
 How dare you-dare you''- she be- gan.
 "He is neither my master nor the duke, but mere freebooter. a moun- tain terrorist"
 Pride and contempt replaced her sur prise, but indignation still remained. His audacity in coming to her with this falsehood, his hardihood in main taining it, admitted of but one expla- i nation. By her complaisance in the past she had famed the embers of a passion which now burst beyond con trol. She realized how more than fair she looked that evening. Had she not heard it from many? Had not the eyes of the kings guest told her? And she believed that this lie must have sprung to the testers lips while he was re- garding her.
 As the solution crossed her mind, re- vealing the plaisant, desperate and despicable as well as lowly wooer her face relaxed. In the desire to test her conclusion she laughed quietly, mu- sically. Cruelty kind smiled the prin- i cess.
 You are mad" she breathed softly. you'--
 He started, studying her eagerly. He fancied he read relenting softness in her gaze, a flash of memory into a past, where glamour and romance and the heart history of the rose made up life's desideratum wherein existence was but an allegory of loves quest and the goal it's consummation. Had she not bent sedulously over the rose of tho poet? Had not her breath coEle quick. ly, eagerly? Could he not feel it yet. sweet and warm on his cheek? Into the past, having gone so far, he step ped now boldly, as though to grasp again those illusive colors and seize anew the intangible substance. He was but young, when shadows seem solid, when dreams are corporeal stuff and fantasies, rocklike strata of real ity.
 ! So he knelt before her. "Yes," he said. II love you
 And he thus remained, pale, inert, all resentment or jealousy succeeded by a stronger emotion, a feeling chival- ric that bent itself to glad thraldonl, the, desire but to serve hen to save her. His heart beat faster. He raised his head proudly.
 'Listen, princess" he began. "Though l meant it not, I fear l have greatly wronged you. have much to ask your pardon for, much to tell you. It is T. I'-
 The words died on his lips. From the princess face all softness had sudden ly vanished. Her gaze passed him. cold, naughty. Across the illusory positive ness of his world. immaterial. psycho logical, ghostly. an intermediate orb. a tangible shadow. was thrown. Behind him stood the free baron and the king Quickly the fool sprang to his feet
 Princess" exclaimed the hOarse voice of the master of Hochfels.
 My lord?"
 For a moment neither spoke. and then the clear. cold voice of the prin cess broke the silence.
 Are all the fools in your country SC presumptuous. my lord:" she said.
 The kings countenance frightened
 He turned his accusing glance upor the fool. As in dream stood the lat ter. The words he would have uttered remained unspoken. But briefly thu monarch surveyed him satirically darkly, then. turning. with a gesture summoned an attendant. Not until tb' hands of two soldiers fell upon hin did the fool betray any emotion. Thei his face changed. and the stunned lool in his eyes gave way to an expression of such unbridei feeling that involun tarily the king stepped back. and th' free baron drew his sword. But neithe had the monarch need for apprehen sion nor the princess betrothed us' for his weapon. Some emotion decpe than anger replaced the savage tur moil of the jester's thoughts as with last fixed look at the princess he me chanically suffered himself to be le, away. Louise's gaze perforce followe, him. and when the canvas fell and h had disappeared she passed hant across her brow.
 Are you satisfied. my lordy' sais the king to the free baron.
 ''The knave has received his just dc serts. sire replied the other and. step ping to the princess side. raised hc hand to his lips
 Mere dc Dieu. cried the monarch passing his arm in friendiv mannr