Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-04

his surprise.
You DO not seem ovcrpleased with
the prospect Of my company she OBJ
served. "Or perhaps you fear l may
incumber your" with mock irony.
"Confess. the service Is more onerous
than you expected"
Beneath her flushed yet smiling face
lay q nervous earnestness he could d.
vine, but not fathom.
different, certainly" he answered
brusquely.
Her eyes flashed. How compliment
tary you are!"
"For your own sake
MY saker' she exclaimed passionate.
u. Her little hand closed fiercely;
proudly her eyes burned into his.
"Think you have taken this step Idly
That Il IL but the caprice Of a moment?
oh. no, no! 1t was necessary to fee
from the court. But to whom could
q woman turn7 Not to any Of the
court--tools Of the king. One person
only wa; there; he whose life was as
good as forfeited. Do you under.
OtanaY'
THAT my life belongs to your Yes.
But that you should leave the court
where you have influence, friends
Influence! Friends
He was startled by the bitterness OF
her voice.
"Tell me. Jacqueline--why do you
wish to go?' he said wonderingly.
Because I wish to-" she returned
briefly and stroked the shining neck Of
her horse.
Indeed, how could she apprise him
Of events which were now the talk of
the court-how Francis. evincing q
sudden interest as strong as it was un.
expected, had exchanged Triboulet fol
herself. and the princess, ut the kings
request, had taken the buffoon With
her and left the girl behind; the jes.
tress welcome to the household of the
queen Of Navarro, a subsequent Devil.
dering shower Of gifts. the complacent,
although respectful, attentions Of the
king; how she had endured these ad-
vances until no course remained save
She one she had taken. No. she could
1ot tell the dukes fool all this.
Between folle and fugitive fell mu.
tual reserve. Did he divine some por.
ton of the truth? Are there moments
when the mind. tuned to a tension
may almost feel what another expert
ences? Why had the girl not gone
with her mistress? He remembered
she had evaded this question when he
had asked it. Looking at her. for thu
first time 1t crossed his mind she would
be held beautiful. an odd, strange beau
ty. imperious. yet girlish. and the con
viction crept over him there might bt
more than a shadow Of excuse for hel
mad fight.
Beneath his scrutiny her face grew
cold, disdainful. Like all men," sht
said sharply. as though TO stay Tho
trend Of his thoughts. you are prod
igal in promises. but chary in fulfill
ment."
Where is it your pleasure to go?" h
asked quietly.
That we shall speak Of hereafter.
che answered haugbtily.
Forward. then"
II can ride on alone" she demurred
uf"-
NAY; tits l who crave the quest" h.
returned gravely.
Her face broke into smiles. "What
devoted CAVALIER she exclaimed
"Come, then. Let us rice out into TIT
world. At least it is bright and shin
ing today DO you fear to follow me
sir or do you believe with the bunch
cast over whom i the spell Of dl
ablerief"
you may l. cnchantress, mis-
tress. but the a.,c.i you cast is not d
0bleFie," he answered in the same tone
Zine words" she said mockingly
"But 1t remains to be seen into what
world l am going to lead y0u," an
rode on.
Now the road so narrowed he fell be
hind. The character Of the countr
had changed. Some time ago they ha
passed out of the wild forest and ha
begun to traverse great, level plain
broken with stubbe. AS far as tn
eye could reach no other human figure
were visible; the land outstretched az
parently without end; no habitation
dotted the landscape and the sole sigu
Of life. wheeling birds of prey. lau
guidly noated in the air. At lengt
she glanced around. Was it to real
sure herself the Jester rode near, thu
she had not, unattended, entered tbs
forbidding territory Then she pause
abruptly aud the fool approached.
by this time the turnkey should
relieved" she said.
But not released" he answere,
holding up the keys which he yet VOL
at his sirdie. They will have to con
q long distance to find them" he col
tinued. aud threw the keys far ava
upon the sward.
"They may not think of following q
this road at all." she returned. 1T
the old castle thoroughfars. long stint
uisused."
"And leads where1"
"Southward, to the main road"
"How came you to know III"
lsksd quickly.
Howl Because lived IN the cast
before the king built the palace "a
the new thoroughfare." she answer'
slowly.
"You lived In the castle. then. wit
lt was the residence Of the proud co
stable Of Dubrois3 You must hay
han INIT n rhilA0 hA addAd f0il0ctiv