Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-18


the scene was the consciousness that
their steeds had become road worn
and were unable to respond. Long.
long, they continued this pace, II
strained period OF suspense, and then
the fool drew rein.
Look. Jacqueline," he said. Tho
river.''
Before them. fed by the rlvucts from
the distant hills. the foaming current
threatened to overflow its banks. Al
ready the rising waters touched the
nimsy wooden structure that spanned
the torrent. Contemplatively ne re-
garded 1t and then. placing his hand
for moment on hers, said encourage
ingly:
Perhaps, after ALL we are borrowing
trouble?"
She shook her head. "If eould but
think it," she answered. Something
seemed to rise in her throat. "A mo-
ment forgot and-was not unhappy
But now l feel as though the end was
closing about U.s."
He frightened his grasp. You are
worn with fatigue-fanciful," he re.
piled.
1.-The end.' she repeated passionate.
". "Yes, the end!' and threw off his
hand Look
He followed her eyes. waving
plumes." lie cried. And drawing
nearer. Come. Jacqueline, let US ride
on
Howl she answered in a lifeless
tone. "'rhe bridge will not hold"
For answer he turned his horse to it;
proceeded slowly across. 1t wavered
and bent. Her wide opened eyes fol
lowed him. once she lifted her hand
to her breast and then became con-
scious he stood on the opposite bank,
calling her to follow She started. A
strange smile was on her lips. and,
touching her horse sharply. she obeyed.
lis it 10 death he has called me?" she
asked herself.
In her ears sounded the swash and
eddying Of the current She closed her
eyes to keep from falling, when she
felt hand OH the bride, and in a mo-
ment had reached the opposite shore.
The Jester made no motion to remount,
but remained at her horses head, close
ly surveying the road they had travel
ed.
Must we go on?" she said mechan-
ically.
"Only one of them can CROSS ut a
time" he answered, without stirring.
ut is better to meet them here
"Oh," she spoke up, III the waters
would only rise little more and carry
away the bridget"
He glanced quickly around him.
weighing the slender chance for sue
cess II he made that last desperate
stand. and then. grasping loose plank,
began using II ms lever against
one Of the weakened supports of the
bridge. Soon the beam gave way and
the structure. now held but at the mid
die and one side. had already begun to
sag when from around the curve OF
the highway appeared Louis Of Hoch-
fels and dozen of his followers.
The free baron rode to the brim Of
the torrent. regarded the food and
the bridge and stopped. He was
mounted on black Spanish barb
whose clstcning sides were fiecked
with foam. A cloak of cloth Of gold
fell from his 5rawny shoulders; his
heavy, red face looked out from be
meath sombrero fringed with the
same metal. A CLEAN of grim recollec-
ton shone from his bloodshot eyes as
they rested on the fool
"Oh. there you are" he shouted. with
savage satisfaction. "Out of the fry
ing pan into tie fire. or. rather-for you
escaped the fagots at Notre Dame-out
Of the fire inrp the frying pan"
Above the tumult of the torrent his
stentorian tones were plainly heard.
Without response the jester inserted
the plank between the structure and
the middle support. The other, per
ceiving his purpose. uttered an execra-
ton that was drowned by the current
and irresolutely regarded the means
Of communication between the two
shores. obviously undetermined about
trusting his great bulk to that fragile
intermedium. Here was a temporary
check on which he had not calculated
But if he demurred about crossing
himself the free baron did not Ions
display the same infirmity Of purpose
regarding his followers.
over with you.' he cried anrrily t.
them. The lishtest frst. Fifty pis
toles to the first across And then
calling out to the fool: I'm half al
hour you. my fine wit cracker, shall bt
hanging from branch. As for til,
maid-she is witch. am told-wt
will test her with drowning"
Tempted by their lenders offer. one
of the troopers. Il lank, muscular look
Ing fellow, at once drove the spurs into
his horse. Back and forth moved tho
lever In the hands Of the Jester. The
soldier was midway on the bridge
when 1t sank suddenly to one side.
moment it acted as 4 dam; then bridge
horse and rider were swept away will
a crash and carried downward will
the driving Hood. Vainly the trooper
sought to turn his steed toward tn,
shore; the debris from the structure
soon swept him from his saddle. strlk
Ing out strongly, he succeeded In catch
Ing a trailing branch from a tree o.,
the bank, but the torrent gripped hi,
body ferceIy and. after a desperat,
struggle. tore him away.
As hts helpless follower disappearc,
the free baron gave brief command