Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-04

It was not the princess
 IMSSSNI who thus exclaimed, but
 ~ Jacqueline Charles had
 spoken loudly, and, drawn irresistibly
 to the scene, she had caught his sig
 niticant words at the moment she rec
 ognized in his brave accouterments
 him whom she had known as the
 dukes fool.
 When she had heard above the din of
 the fray the cries with which the new. comer had been greeted. no suspicion of his identity had crossed her mind. She had wondered. been puzzled at the un- expected appearance of Robert. duke of Friedwald, but that he and the ail- ing fool were one and the same was wide from her field of speculation. In amazement she regarded the knight who had turned the tide of conflict, and then started, noticing the colors he wore, a paltry yellow ribbon on his arm, the badge of her office Much she had not understood now appeared plain-his assurance in Fools hall, his reckless daring. his skill with the sword. He was soldier. not a jester; lord. not a lords servant
 Lost in no less wonder the princess gazed from the free baron to Charles and back again to the lifeless form. Stopping. she looked steadfastly into the face as though she would read it's secret. Perhaps. too. as she studied those features piece by piece she patched together the scenes of the past. Her own .countenance began to harden, as thoneh some part of that mask of death had fallen upon her. and when she glanced once more at the emperor they saw she no longer doubted. With forced self control she turned to the emperor.
 Doubtless it is some brave pastime," she said to Charles. Twill your majes- ty deign to explainT'
 "Nay." answered the emperor dryly. That thankless task I'll leave to him who played the fool''
 Cncorering. the Duke of Friedwald approached. The excitement of the contest over. his pailid features marked the effects of his recent injuries, the pS! !sical strain under which he had h. bored. Her cold eyes swept over him inguiringly.
 For the part I have played. mad 1 am" he said. .I ask your forbearance. If we both labored under a delrsion I 1 have only regret''-
 Regret" Was it an outburst of grief or wounded pride? He flushed. but continued firmly:
 Madame la Princesse. when first a marriage was proposed between us I was younger in experience if not in years than I am now, more used to the bivouac or hunters camps than courts. And woman"-he smiled-"well. she was vague ideal. At times she came To me when sleeping before the hunts mans fire in the solitudes of the forest. again was reflected from the pages of f classic lore She seemed a part of the woods and the streams. for by ancient irt had she not been turned into trees md running brooks: So she whispered in the boughs and murmured among the rushes. Mere Schwarnlerei. Do Tou care to hear: -Tis the only defense can offer
 Her contemptuous blue eyes re fastened on him. She disdained o answer.
 -It was a dreamer from brake and op>e who went in the disguise of . ester to be near her. to win her for then declare his indentiey. Yell may you look scofnfuI Love-r not such . romantic guaiity-at ourt. A momentary pastime. perhaps. ut-a deep passion-a passion strua- ef than rank. than deatA, than ar