The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-05-23
Copyright, 1905, by D. G. Macleod

youth dubbed in the laughter of the
Jester. The queen uneonsciously lean
ed on the arm next to the clown and
closed her eyes for a moment to rest
them from the bewildering sight be-
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 magnifcence 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 1
Cease to Love- in time with the mu-
sicians far overhead. AS he sang he
watched the face of the queen. Sud
denly she turned to him.
''Sir Fool" she said gently, chat air
goes not with that get-up. Save your
voice for '"rell Me, Pretty Maiden"
Would she listen if I told her, think
your" he whispered eagerly. There
has never been but one pretty maiden
for me, your majesty"
returned slowly, land 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 a 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 attentively 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 a queen" the Jester
whispered eagerly.
This splendor 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, f" 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 it flattered him
that she was so well content on the
throne beside him. The incident was
full of Significance. He had wealth, So
cial 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 fight2 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 it
is"
The queen laughed merrily. The jest
er touched his bells.
''Margot" he whispered eagerly.
"Margotr'
The queen ignored the appeal. A
merry crowd of troubadours were ap-
preaching, and she paid for their com
pliments with a 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
obeisance and they were alone save
for the jester, whom he did not see,
''you shall be queen in a palace as
beautiful as even you could desire"
"MargotP' entreated the jester "Love
is everythingw The queen frowned at
him impatiently.
''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 a
queens"
Marry me-" whispered the Jester,
catching hold of the hand behind the
rose To-day I bought house. Mar
got True, there are but four rooms in
it, but no place could be half SO dear
You could transform it into a home,
Margot. l have no jewels but those of
my love to give you. Margot, but you
know that is true
'You shall cruise in a yacht on sum-
mer seas" continued The deaf old king,
land all Paris and London shall rave
of your beauty and your splendor"
I'VE could slip off together to the
park whispered the jester, ito listen
to the band on Sunday evenings. Don's
you remember what you told me under
those moss draped trees that night p
| The queen toyed with her fan and
sighed. Il love you! 1 love you!
love your chanted the jester passion
ately
"As my wife," resumed the king
you will always be the queen OF
| scenes like this The eyes of the
queen swept the ,house before her-tier
! upon tier of beautiful women in gor
geous gowns and Jewels, men whose
admiration and preference counted fol
great deal, and, above all else, the at
mosphere of wealth and culture and
beauty. Could she afford to reject II
all?
Il am old" the king continued sadly
"All that is left in life for me IS you
Surely for the few years remaining
| could you not share them with mel
Think gently-"what it would mean
to you-afterward. 1 ask no love-
Il am young" the Jester whispered
eagerly. 81 love you. Things are be
ginning to change for the better witt
me. Can you afford to sell yourself
! Margot, for gold? What are the kings
1 millions to my love, Margot?'
Into the eyes of the queen a great
light suddenly leaped, but she sighed
again when she looked at the king
Cling up to say good night Far over
head the musicians were playing agar
IF Ever Cease to Love-" the carniva
air. The king bent YEARLY toward her
Shall l come for my answer tomor
row." he asked patiently. Then, will
fresh ardor, You will not walk the
worlds way weeping when the coach
man bids you ride, your majesty?'' h,
questioned pleadingly.
my love"-the testers lips touched
her hand-'if you choose the palace
who will keep my homer" The gueel