Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-11


 that doubt I could easily crush you extending his muscular arms-"bu
 you might prick me, and just now discretion may be the better part ol valor. l, duke, engaged to wed q princess, have much to lose; you, noth ing! A fools strike might kill king
 "Or a knave, my lord!' added the plaisant.
 "Or knave, sirrah." thundered the duke, the veins starting out on his forehead.
 The jester half drew his dagger. His quiet confidence and glittering eye i'm pressed even his antagonist, inured to scenes of violence and strife.
 ''Is it truce, most noble lord? said the fool significantly. "A truce where. in we may call black black, and white, white! A truce which may be broken by either of us, with due warning to the other?'
 Knitting his brow, the noble stood motionless, deeply pondering, his head long passion evidently at combat with his judgment. Then his face cleared, a hard. brusque laugh burst from his lips, and he brought his fist violently down on the massive oak table near the door.
 ''So be it.' he assented, with more open look.
 , "A truce-without any rushes from the boar?'
 Fool. Does not my word suffice?' contemptuously retorted the duke.
 "Ies, for although you are-what you are-you have been soldier and would not break q truce.'
 Such commendation from-my jester is, indeed, tiattering.' satirically re. | marked the kings guest. seating him. self in great chair which brought him i face to face with the fool and yet con- handed the door. the intruder's only means of retreat.
 Pardon me, the dukes jester. you mean!"
 "Yes: mine"
 "A distinction with difference" re- tOrted the fool. Tt is quite true am i the dukes jester. It is equally untrue l am yours. Therefore. we reach the conclusion that you and the duke are two different persons. Plainly. not be- ing the duke, you are an impostOr. Have you any fault to find with my reasOning?"
 "On the contrary" answered the oth. vrrit1 riSr ,f your reasoning is all that could be de sired. Why should deny what you already know? I was aware. of course. that you knew when l first learned his jester was in the castle. Frankly, I am not the duke-tO yOu." But with Francis and the court?" suggested the fool uplifting his brows. 'I am the duke and such remain. You understand:
 Perfectly. my lord," replied the jest CT, shrugging his shoulders. But since l am not the king nor one of the cOurtiers. whom for the time being have l the honor of addressing? But perhaps l am overinquisitive.
 Not at all." said the other, with mocking ceremony. You are whim- sical fellow Besides. am taken with man who stands near death without flinching. To tell you the truth, our truce is somewhat to my liking. There are few men who would have dared what you have tonight. And. although you're only fool. will you drink with me from this bottle on the table here? I'm tired of ceremonies of rank. and would clink glass in private with merry fellow. What say you:'
 And. leaning over, he filled two large goblets with the rich beverage from great flask placed on the stand for his convenience. His face lighted with gross conviviality. but behind his lo. vial free manner. that of trooper i1 his cups. gleamed furtive. guarded look. as though he were studying and testing his man.
 I'm for q free life, some fighting. hut snug walls around for companion ship" he continued. Look at my sol diers now: roistering. love making. Charles? Francis? Not one of the troop would leave me for emperor CT king. Not one but would follow me where ambition leads" Holding up the glass. he looked into the depths of the thick burgundy. Why. likely | fellow like you should carry a gleam- ing blade. not wooden sword. I know your dukn-a man of lineage. a string of titles long as my arm-an un- derliBg of the emperor while I''-clos- ing his great jaw firmly-''owe all legianee to no man or monarch. which is the same thing. Drink. lad: Tn pleased I did not kill you
 And I.'' laughed the plaisant. con -ratulate myself you are still alive. for the wine is excellent".' Still alive exclaimed the kings guest boisterously. although dark shadow crossed his glance. I'm scar red from heed to foot. and my hide is as tough as
 1 "A boar's:" tapping his chin with | the fools head on his wand . "Ah. you will have your jest" re- rorted the host of the occasion good naturedly. Its bred in the bone. X l quality for a soldier. Next to courage | is that fine sense of humor which makes man bon comrade. Put ' down your gravcn image. lad: you were mad. to carry arms. not baubles. ! Put it down. I say. and touch glasses with Louis nf Pfalz rfeld." i Lord HochfeiS.'' exclaimed the jest CT. ixedly regarding the man whose i name was Known throughout Europe | for his reckless bravery. his personal