The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-31

with the Jester first Afterward Il will
be time enough to deal with the maid.
Hast done feeding and tippling yet,
morio?"
"fes, MASTER" said the suspiciously
muftled voice of tho imbccilc.
"ifere's the knife then You shall
have another tankurd when you come
back
AT these significant words, knowing
that the crucial moment had come, the
Jester rctrcatcd rapidly and, making
his way down the passage. stood in a
dark corner near his room. AS Of one
accord the voices ceased below, a
heavy crcakinS announced the ap-
preach of the morio; nearer and near
er. first on the stairs, then in the upper
corridor. From where he remained con-
cealed tic foGl dmly discerned the fig
urc of tlc would be assassin.
At the door Of the jestress' room II
paused. The fool lifted his blade;
the form passed OH. Before the cham
ber Of the plaisant it's movement be-
came more stealthy; 1t bent and listen
ed. Should the jester spring upon It
now? A strange loathing made him
hesitate, and, before he had time to
carry his purpose into execution, the
creature, throwing aside further pre-
tense of caution, swung back the door
and launched himself across the apart
ment. A heavy blow, swiftly followed
by another; afterward the stiffness Of
death
Every moment the jester expected an
outcry, the announcement Of the fruit
lesSness of the attack, but the morio
made no sound. The silence became
oppressive. The plaisant felt almost
1rresistibly impelled toward that ter
riblc chamber, when with heavy, lum-
bering steps the creature reappeared,
traverscd the hall like huge automa-
ton and mechanically descended the
stairs.
"Well, is it done?" asked the harsh
voice of the master Of the boar.
Yes, done"' was the submissive an
swer.
Good! Now to get the sword"
Not so fast" broke in the landlord
DO You kill, morio, without drawing
blood? LCok ut his dagger"
The leader took the blade, examined
1t and then began to call down curses
on the head of the imbecile monster.
Clean, save for n thread of cotton"
he cried angrily. You never went near
him."
Eyes, yes. MASTER" replied the crea-
ture eagerly.
Bah. You stabbed the bed, fool, not
the man." roughly returned the other.
The rogue has guessed our purpose
and left the rOom," he continued, ad-
dressing the others. But he's skulk-
ing somewhere. Well, knaves, here's a
little coursing for us all. Up with you,
morio, and find him. Perhaps, though.
he may prefer to come down." And
the leader called out, "Give yourself
up, rascal, or it will be the worse for
you"
To this paradoXical threat no answer
was returned
You won't answer" cried the lead
er. after short interval. "Smell him
out then, rogues"
knife in hand, the others at his heels,
the morio slowly made his way I'D the
stairs. Goaded by the taunts of the
outlaws, his face was distorted with
ferocity; through his lips came
fierce, sibilant breathing; in the dim
light his colossal figure and enormous
head seemed in nowise human, but
rather murderous phantasm.
"Oh, oh.' murmurcd a voice behind
the jester and, turning, he saw Jacque-
line. Disturbed by the tumult and
the loud voices, the jestress had left
her room to learn the cause of the un-
usual din, and now, with her dark hair
a cloud around her, stood gazing fear
fully over the FOOLS shoulder.
AT the sound Of the young girls
voice so near, the plaisants hand.
which for the moment had been un-
steady, became suddenly steel. Al
most impatiently he awaited the conf
Ing Of the morio. At last he drew near.
but, as If instnctively realizing the
presence Of danger, paused, his arm
ceasing to strike, but remaining sta
tlonary In the air.
go on" impatiently shouted those
behind him.
FTO RE coNTTuryuD