Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-04

l --S advice:" He laughed horribly. "Hath not. perhaps, many fair gentleman been burned-aye, burned to ashes as a CaIvinist-at ny suggestion" Miserable wretch! Spy!" excIaim- ed the young woman. paler than lily, as she bent her eyes, with fully opened l lids, upon him.
 As if to shield himself. he raised his hand, yet drunkenness or wrath over came caution and superstition, and the red eyes net the dark ones. But no ment, and the former droppel sullenly. A strange thrill ran through him. He thought he was bewitchel.~
 "Non nobis Domino" he murmured, striving to recall hymn. AS Latin was the language of witchcraft. so also was it the antidote. Contemptu- ously she turned her back and walked slowly to the fire. Upon her white face and supple figure played the elfish glow. lighting the little cap and the waving tresses beneath.
 Regarding her furtively. Triboulet's courage returned, since she was look ing at tie coals. not at him.
 'IIo. ho." he said jocosely. You all thought was sincere. Listen, my chil- dren. The art of foolins les in trump ! ed up earncstness." He smiled hide i ougly.
 Bravo, Tribouletw cried an admir- ing voice
 Only time and art can give you such mastery over the passions" con tinued the jester. (Which one of you would Gepose me? Who so ugly as I? Poets, philosophers! l snap my fingers at tLem. Poor moths! And you dare bait me with newcomer! Let him look to himself" From earnestness to grandiloquence was but step. Let him come!" And Triboulet, imi- tating the pose of Francis himself. drew his wooden sword.
 Let him come!" he repeated Gercely.
 "Who" called out gay and reck- less voice.
 Through the doorway leading into the kitchen stepped young man. slen- Ger, almost boyish in appearance. with light brown hair and deep set eyes that belied tie gayety and mirth of his fea- lures. His costume. that of q jester, was silk of finest texture and design. upon which were skillfully fashioned in threads of silver the arms of Charles ". king of Spain and emperor of Germany. tEe powerful rival of Francis. whose friendship now, for reasons of state. the latter sought.
 Smilingly the foreign jester gazcd around the room at the unusual fur nishings. picturesque. yet appropriate; at the inmates. the fools scattered about the great board or near the mighty fireplace: the renowned philos- opEer Rabelais, sleeping on his arms. with hand outstretched toward the neglected tankard; at the striking ap- pearance Of the girl who looked with casual, careless interest upon him: at the grotesoue. crook backed figure be- fore the throne.
 1 And. observing the incopgruity of his surroundings. he laughed lightly while his glance, turning inQui"ingly if not insolently from one to the other, liu. gered in some surprise upon the young 1 woman. He had heard that in far away France tie motley was not con fined to men, Had not Jeanne. queen of Charles l.. possessed her jestress Artaude de ruy, "fo!le to our dear companion" as said the king? Had not Mme. dor. wea"er of the bells, kept the nobles laughing? Had not tie naughty. eccentric Don John his handsome. merry joculatrix attached to his princely household?
 But knowing only by rumor of these matters, the jester from abroad looked hard at her. the first madcap in petit. coats he had ever seen. Fo- her part, Jacquellne bore his scrutiny with visi. ble annoyance.
 ! Well" sle said impatiently. a fash of resentment In her line eyes. "have you conned me over enough?" 1 "Too much. mistress" he replied. ir nowise abashed. "an 1t hath disp!eas ed you. Too little to please myself"
 Yourself" she returned with sud cen anger at his persistent gaze Some lords playthins to beat or whip a toy
 i And yet poet who can make rhymes on woinan's beauty" he an swe ed. with careless laugh. "AnotLer courtier." grumbled Tribou let. Lacking true wit. fools nowa days essay only compliments to cover their dullness.''
 With tho sane air of inso'ent amuse u1eat the rewcome- turnel to tbt Isonc and its occupant. whom Ee sub jectcd to an even more deliberate in vestigation.
 'Is it man or manikin. gentle mis t-ess?' he asked after concluding his examination
 She d.l not deign to answer. but tho offended Trlboulet waved his wooGer sword vindictiveIy.
 "Manikin." he roared and sprane with vicious lCnSes upon the duke: jester. who. falling ba,k before tn, sucGenness of the assault. whipped ou his weanon in turn and. laughing threw himself into an attitude of de fense.
 "A mortal combatr' cried the cardi nSrs wit snapper.
 Charles Y. and Francisr' exclaimed Cail.ette. referring to the persoEa challenge wLicb had, once passed be tween tile two great monarcbs. Witt throne f,r the victor.' he added gay ly. indicating TriGou.et's chair of state