Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-31

tends to carry of the true lords bride
Indeed, in private he has acknowledged
it all to me. and. failing to corrupt mi
to his service, last night set an assas
sin to kill me-"
His listener, with folded arms ant
attentive mien, kept his eyes fxet
steadily upon the narrator as II ht
doubted the evidence Of his senses
Without, the marshals had taken theil
places In the lists, and another stem
torian dissonance greeted these officers
Of the field from the good humOred
gathering, which, basking in the an
ticipation Of the feast they knew would
follow the pageantry, clapped theil
hands and flung up their caps at tht
least provocation for rejoicing. UpoI
the two testers this scene Of jubilatioi
was lost Caillette merely bending clos
er to the other, with:
But why have you not denounced
Mill 10 TIE klHS
Because of my foolhardiness in tao
lily accepting at first this freebooter
as my master"
Caillette shot keen glance at ths
other and smiled. His eyes said
"Foolhardiness! Was 1t not rather
some other emotion? Had not the
princess leaned more than graciously
toward her betrothed and"-
81 thought him but some flimsy ad
venturer," went OH the dukes fool
hastily, land told myself l would. see
the play played out, holding the key to
the situation and'-
"You underestimated him.?
Exactly. His plans were cunninGly
laid. and now-who am I that the
king should listen to me? At best, II
l denounce him. they would probably
consider it bit Of pleasantly or-mad
ness"
YES" reluctantly assented Caillette
Triboulet's words, "a fool in love will
the princessw recurring to him. "it
would be undoubtedly even as you
say"
The dukes jester looked down
thoughtfully. He had only half eX.
pressed to the French plaisant the
doubts which had assailed him since
his interview with Louis of Hochfels
Who could read the minds of mon
archs, the motives actuating them
Should he be able to convince Francis
of the deception practiced upon him.
was ii altogether unlikely that t!:e kim;
might not be brought to condone the
ofrense for the sake Of an alliance with
this Louis of Pfalz- -Urfeld and the 9th
er unconquerable free barons Of the
Austrian border against Charles him
self?
The voice of Caillette broke in upon
his thoughts.
"You will not, then, attempt to de-
nounce him!'
The fool hesitated. "Alone-Out OF
favor with the king, l like not to risl;
the outcome-but-if may depend
upon you
"Did ever friend refuse such a call!'
exclaimed Caillette promptly. A quick
glance of gratitude flashed from the
others eyes.
"There is one flaw in the free baron's
position" resumed the dukes fool more
confidently. "A fatal one twill prove
if it is possible to carry out my plans.
He thinks the emperor Is in Austria.
and his followers guard the road
through the mountains. He tells him
self not only are the emperor and the
Duke of Friedwald too far distant to
hear Of the pretender and interfere
with the nuptials, but that he obviates
even the contingency Of their learning
of that matter ut all by controlling the
way through which the messengers
must 20. Thus rests he in double sc.
curity-but an imaginary one
"What mean you? asked Caillette
attentively. from his manner giving
fuller credence to the extraordinary
news he had just learned.
"That Charles, the emperor, is not IN
Austria. but in Aragon, at Saragossa,
where he can be reached In time to
prevent the marriage. Just before my
leaving, the emperor, to my certain
knowledge, secretly departed for Spain
OH matters pertaining to the governing
Of Aragon. Charles plays a deep game
in the affairs of Europe. though he
works ever silently and unobtrusively
Is he not always beforehand with your
king? When Francis was preparing
the gorgeous Field of the Cloth of Gold
for his English brother, did not Charles
quietly leave for the little isle and
there, without beat of drum, arrange his
own affairs before Henry was even
seen by your pleasure loving monarch
Yes; to the impOstor and to Francis.
Charles is in Austria; to us-fOr now
you share my secrets he In Spain.
where by swift riding he may be found
and yet interdict in this matter"
"Then why haven't you ere this fled
to the emperor with tbe news!'
Last night had determined to get
away, when first I was assaulted by
an assassin Of the impostor and next
detained by his troop and brought back
to the castle. l had even left on foot.
trusting to excite less suspicion, and
hoping to find horse on the way. but
fortune was with the pretender. ST
here am |, closely watched and wait
Ing" he added grimly.
The Indifference faded from Gail
lette's face and almost boyish en-
thusiasm shone in his eyes.
Mon ami. I'll do itw he exclaimed
lightly. I'll ride to the emperor FOL
you"
Silently the jester Of the duke wrunG
his hand. T've long sighed for IN adj
venture" laughed Caiilette, "and here
Is the opportunity. Caillette, Il knight
errant! But" his face falling. "thc
emperor will look on me as mad
man."
Nay" replied the dukes plaisant'
"here is a letter. When he reads it he
will ut least think the affair worth
consideration. He knows me and
trusts my fidelity and will be assured
| would not Jest on such serious mat
ter. Believe me, he will receive you
as more than madman."
"Why, then, twill be rare advcn'
ture." commented the other, wander
ing In the country-the beautiful coun-
try, where l was reared-away from
the madness Of courts. Already / hear