The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-05-11

The Jester bowed low before the
throne The king extended a much be-
jeweled hand. The jester bent over it
reverently and slyly bit IT. The queen
laughed behind her fan and beckoned
the clown to her side He sank on the
steps a. her feet
This is my throne for tonight" he
announced, gayly jlngling his bells. Il
shall surrender 1t to no one. For one
night | shall speak only the plain, I'M
vanished truth, your majesty"
"One who would speak the truth, Sir
Cap and Bells" replied the queen sage
ly, must needs have some previous
experience"
"IIa. ha" chuckled the king. beam
ing at the vision at his side We'll
said. my lady. Previous experience,
Sir Fool
Age tangled in the voice Of the king;
youth bubbled in the laughter of the
jester. The queen unConseiOusly lean
ed on the arm next to the clown and
closed her eyes for a moment to rest
fore her. To be queen of one Of the
most splendid Mardi Gras balls is
something to turn a girls heart. But
this one to judge by her weary eyes
in spite of the magnificence surround
ing her and In face of the kings open
devotion-was bored. And the even
ing was only beginning
The Jester at her feet played with
his bells and hummed IF Ever I
Cease to Love" In time with the mt
sicians far overhead. As he sang he
watched the face of the queen Sud
denly she turned to him.
Sir Fool" she said gently. that air
goes not with that get-up. Save your
voice for Tell Me, Pretty Maiden"
would she listen if told her think
you?" he whispered eagerly. There
has never been but one pretty maiden
for me, your ma esty."
a maid is but maid" the queen
returned slowly, and a man but a
man, and love is but
Everything" the jester interrupted
seriously. Love is all"
The king called the second time. then
had to touch the arm of the queen be
fore she heard him. Two strange
princes stood waiting to be presented.
Behind them came n train of Cupids.
Lohengrins and monks, each bearing
tray Of compliments. The queens eyes
were big and suddenly bright. The
king sat with his fat hand on his heart
and listened to her bandying repartee
with each in turn. The testers bells
were silent. He was attentiyely study
ing the queens pink nails on the hand
resting on the vase of magnificent
roses near the throne.
You should have been a queen" the
king announced ponderously as the last
troubadour moved OFF
You were born Il queen the Jester
whispered eagerly.
This spcndor shall always be
yours the king continued in business
tones. Everything shall be yours that
money can buy But you were fitted
for a real throne"
Kind hearts are more than coro-
nets the jester sang softly to the air
of Under the Bamboo Tree And
the truest throne is a throbbing heart, !
lady The queen frowned at him i'm
patiently and turned to the king who
was presenting two foreign generals.
ablaze with decorations. No, she was
not dancing, she told them. The king
couldn't dance, and 1t hnttered him
that she was so we'll content on the
fhrnnp hoSi1n him, Tho IN
full of significance. He had wealth, SO
clal position. everything but her, and
now it seemed that his patience was to /
be rewarded at last What woman
could hold out in such a fight? The |
queen sighed and brought him back to |
earth. He turned eagerly to her. She |
was looking far away Her thoughts, |
even to a casual observer, were far re |
moved from this crowded ballroom.
You sighed, your majesty he |
begged humbly You share my throne
Let me share your trouble, whatever 1t !
is"
The queen laughed morrily. The jest.
er touched his bells
"Margot" he whispered eagerly
"Margot"
The queen ignored the appeal \
merry crowd of troubadours We're APP
preaching and she paid for their com
plments with II fire of smiles and pref
ty speeches
"If You would marry me" resumed
the old king suddenly when the crowd
departed with backward bows and
obeisanCc and they were alone save
for the Jester, whom he did not see,
you shall be- queen in palace as
beautiful as oven you could desire"
"Margot" cntreatcd the jester Love
Is everything" The queen frowned at
him mpatently.
Marry me" pleaded the old king
hoarsely You are not one who can
stand poverty. Your mansion shall be
a palace; your jewels shall rival
queens"
MARRY me- whispered the jester
catching hold of the hand behind the
rosa "T0dav hOUobt ho,,,o