The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-04-14

- JeSteK Soiu uiS companion as
they sped down the sloping plain in the
early silvery light which transformed
the dewdrops and grassy moisture into
wells Of mist. Behind them the chateau
was slowly fading from view; the town
had already disappeared.
Upon the strength of the letter from
the emperor the vicomte took the re-
sponsibility Of allowing us to depart"
explained the fool. "In It his majesty
referred to his message to the king, to
the part played by him who took the
place Of the duke, and what he was
pleased to term my services to Francis
and himself"
So much the plaisant related, but he
did not add that the commandant, with
Triboulet's words in mind, had at first
demurred about permitting the jestress
to 60. "Vrai Dieu- that person had
exclaimed. "If what the dwarf said be
true? To cross tho king! And yet" he
had added cynically. ut sounds most
unlike. Did Aladdin dee from the genii
OF the lamp? Such a magician is Fran
els. Chateau, gardens-'tis clearly nm
invention Of Triboulet'sw And the fal-
lacy Of this conclusion the dukes plai-
SAINT had not sought to demonstrate.
Without question the young girl lis
tened, but when he had finished her
features hardened. Intuitively she d.
vined a gap in the parrative-herselfi
From the dwarfs slur to Caillette's
gentle look Of surprise constituted q
natural span for reflection. And the
dukes fool, seeing her face turn cold,
attributed 1t perhaps to another rea-
son. Her story recurred to him; she
was no longer a nameless jestress; an
immeasurable distance separated q
mere plaisant from the survivor of one
Of the noblest, II most unfortunate,
families Of France. She had not an
swered the night before when he had
addressed her Us the daughter of the
constable; motionless as n statue had
she gazed after him, and, remember
Ing the manner Of their parting, he
now looked at her curiously.
"Alrs we'll that ends WELL" he said,
but I must crave indulgence, Lady
Jacqueline. for having brought you in
to such peril"
She flushed. do you persist in that
foolishnessT she returned quickly.
"Do you deny the right to be SO
called"
did I not tell you the constable's
daughter is deadT
Ito the worldl But to the fool-may
he not serve herr
"Poor service" she retorted. "A dis
credited mistress!'
Zone I am minded for" hs replied.
q sudden lash in his eyes.
She looked away. Her lips curved.
"For how lonsT she said, half mock,
ingly. and touched her horse before he
could reply.
What words had her action checked
on his lips7
To serve her seemed happiness that
drowned all other ills: a selfish bond
Of subordination. Her misfortunes
disnified her. Her worn gown was
dearer in his eyes than courtly splen-
dor, the disorder Of her hair moro be-
coming than nets Of gold and colts of
Jewels. He forgot their danger. Tho
broad plain lay like a pleasure garden
before them.
At the sight Of q bush, white with
flowers, she uttered an exclamation of
pleasure and broke or a branch COW
cred with fragrant blossoms as they
rode by. Out Of the depths Of this
storehouse Of sweets piundering
humming bird flashed and vanished,
q jewel from natures crown! She held
the branch to her face, and he glanced
at her covertly. She was all jestress
again. The cadence of that measured
motion shaped itself to an ancient
lyric in keeping with the song of
birds, the blue sky and the wild roses.
''ffarh, bark!
% Pretty iarki
Little heedest thou my pain"
He bent his head, listening. He
could scarcely hear the words. Was