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

"A beggar's brat Francis found here
when he took the CASTLE" replied the
beribboned spark addressed. "Yor
know the story?"
Eyes" said the white haired diplo
mat half sadly. ''This castle once be
longed to the great constable of Du
bro:s. When he fell from favor the
king besieged him. The constable fec
and died in Spain. That much, OF
course. I and the world know. But the
girl
hen our victorious monarch took
possession of this ancient pile" ex
planned tie willing courtier, "the only
ones left in ii were an old gamekeeper
and his daughter, gypsy-like maid
who ran wild in the woods. Time hath
tanned ECr somewhat, but there she
Sands"
"And what sad memories Of noble
but unfortunate gentleman cluster
around herr muttered the chancellor.
"Alas for our brief hour Of triumph
and favor! Yesterday was he great; l,
nothing. Today what am 1, while he
is nothing"
A great murmur, resolving itself into
shouts aud resounding outcry, inter.
rupted the mobiles reminiscent mood
as :. ,..":Ti due II richly chased
armur. !. ,,iutpd OH j massive horse,
crosse .ne arena.
IA youloir" they cried. bon
Vouloir!"
1t was the name assumed by the
free baron for the day, while other
Knights were known for the time be-
Ing by such euphOnious and chivalrous
appellations as Valiant Desyr, Bon
Espoir or Coeur Loyal. Bon Vouloir
upon this popular demonstration rein
ed his stecd and, removing his head
covering, bowed reyerently to the king
and his suit, deeply to the lady Of the
tournament and her retinue and care
lessly to the vOciferous multitude, aft
er which he retired to large tent Of
crimson and gold set apart for his con-
vencnce aud pleasure.
From the purple box the monarch
had nodded graciously, and from the
silver bower the lady had smiled soft
ly, so that the duke had no reason for
dissatisfaction. The attitude Of the
crowd was of small moment, an un-
musical accompaniment to the potent
pantomime, of which the principal fig
ures were Francis. the King Arthur of
Europe, and the princess. queen OF
beauty's unbounded realm.
In front of the dukes pavilion was
hung his shield. and by its side stood
his squire, fancifully dressed in rich
colors.
Near the dukes pavilion. to the right,
had been pitched Il commOdious tent of
yellow material, with ropes of the same
color and fools cap crowning the
pole in place Of the customary banner.
Over the entrance were suspended the
testers gilded wand and Il staff. from
which hung a blown bladder. Here
were quartered the court testers whom
Francis had commanded to be iittingly
attired for the lists and to take part In
the general combat.
At the entrance Of the pavilion stood
Caillette, who had watched the passing
Of Bon Vouloir and now was gazing
upward into sea Of faces from
whence came hum Of voices like the
buzzng of unnumbered bees.
"Certes," he commented, "the king
makes much of this unmannered,
lunipish, beer drinking noble who il
going to wed the princess"
"Caillette," said the low voice OF the
dukes jester at his elbow, would you
see woman undone?"
"Why, mon ami" lightly answered
the French fool, "who Is the woman"
"The Princess Louise"
Caillette glanced from the place
where he stood to the center Of the
stand and the white bower. tnclining
from which was woman, naughty.
IdlT, Dedulll vi, Olc w NhOoC iuSS uetioSe
ed the attention Of the multitude and
who seemed not unhappy in being thus
scrutinized and admired. Shaking his
head slowly, the court poet dropped his
eyes and studied the sand ut his feet.
"She looks not wronged," he said
dryly. "She appears to enjoy her tri-
umphs."
"And yet, Caillette, tits all u farce"
answered the dukes jester.
$50 have I-thought-on other occa'
sions."
And again his gaze flew upward, not.
however, to the lady whom Francis had
gallantly chosen for queen Of beauty.
but, despite his alleged cynicism, to
corner of the kings own box, where
sat she who had once been laughing
maid by his side and with whom lie
had played that diverting pastoral call
ed First Love-" 1t was only an in
stant's return into the farcical but Joy
GUS past, and a moment later he was
sharply recalled into the arid present
by the words Of his companion.