Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

49, III bhD Ut
now regarding neither the horscman
nor the young girl. His %glittering eyes,
Ms IL fascinated, rested on the weapon
Of the PLEASANT.
What a fine blade you've got there!"
he said curiously. Much better thar
a wooden sword. Jeweled, too, by the
holy bagpipe! And n coat Of arms
more excitedly-'yes. the coat Of arms
Of the great constable Of Dubrois. As
proud a sword as that Of the king.
Where did you get tn" And in his
sudden interest the dwarf half ven
tured from his place Of refuge.
ANSWER him not!' said the girl
hastily.
WAS 1t you, mistress. gave it him 2"
he asked, with a sudden sharp look.
Her cOntemptuoys gaze was her only
reply.
by the dust Of kings. when last I
saw 1t. the naughty constable himself
1t was who wore it," continued Tri-
boulet. Aye. when he defed Francis
to his face. I can sec him now, a rich
surcoat over his gilded nrmor, the
queen mother gazing ut him with all
her soul in her eyes. the brilliant com.
pany startled. even the king overa wed.
Twas l broke the spell. while the
monarch and the court were silent. not
daring to speak"
"You" From the young woman's
eyes flashed a fame Of deepest ha-
tired.
The hunchback shrank back. then
laughed. II, Triboulet!" he bonsted.
TIA said I. he's greater than the
king! whereupon Francis frowned.
started and answered the constable, re.
fusing his claim. Not long thereafter
the constable died in Spain. and I COM
pleted the jest. So said I. he Is less
than n man. And the king, who re.
membered, laughed"
Let us co." said the jestress, very
white.
Silently the PLEASANT obeycd and Tri-
bou!et once more ventured forth.
"Momus 60 with you" Ec called out
after them.
More quickly they rode on. Furtive-
", with suppressed rage in his heart.
the dukes fool regarded his com
panion. Her face was cold and set,
and as his glance rested on its pale,
pure outline. beneath his breath lie
cursed Brusquet, Triboulet and all
their kind. He understood now-too
well-the secret of her flight. What
he had heretofore been fairly assured
of was Enthusiastically confirmed. The
sight of the tavern which they came
suddenly upon and the appearance of
the innkeeper interrupted this dark
trend Of thought. and. springing from
his borse, the jester helped the girl to
dismount.
The house, being situated in the i'm
mediate proximity Of the grand cha
teau, received a certain patronage from
noble lords and ladies. This trade had
given the proprietor such an opinion of
his hostelry that common folks were
not wont to be overwhelmed with vel
come. In the present instance the man
showed a disposition to scrutinize too
closely the modest attire Of the new
corners and the plain housings Of their
chargers. when the curt voice Of the
Jester recalled him sharply from this
forward occupation.
With q shade less of disrespect the
proprietor babe them follow him.
Rooms were given them, and in the
larger Of the two chambers the plat
SAINT, desiring to avoid publicity Of the
dining and tap room. ordered their sup
per to be served.
During the repast the girl scarcely
spoke; the capon she hardly touched
the claret she merely slipped. Once
when she held the glass to her lips he
noticed her hand trembled just n lit
tie, and Their when she set down the
goblet how it closed. almost fiercely.
"Oh," she said at length, as though
giving utterance to some thought which
pent up, she could no longer control
1.-THE irony, the tragedy, Of it"
What, JacQueline?" he asked gen.
thy. although he felt the blood surginG
In his head.
"Morbleu! A merry monarch
she began. and broke of abruptly. ris
ing to her feet, with a gesture Of aver
sion. and moving restlessly across tho
room. AFTER all these years! After
all that had gone before!"
For some time he sat with his sword
across his knees. thinking deeply. She
went to the window and looked out
When she spoke again her voice had
regained it's self command.
"A dark night" she said mechanical
~.
"~JacQueline." he asked, %glancing uI
from the blade. "why in the crypt thai
day We escaped did you pause at thai
monument
Quickly she turned. gazing at hin
from the half darkness in which sh.
stood.
Ibid you see to whom the monument
was erected?" she asked in a low
voice.
ITO the wife Of the constable. Blu
what was Anne. duchess Of Dubrois
to you"
She was the last lady Of the cas-
tle," said the girl softly.
And how was 1t, mistress. the cas-
tie was confiscated by the kingT" ht
continued after a pause.
shall I tell you the story7" she
asked, her voice hardening.
"If you will" he answered.
"Triboulet's description OF the scene
where the constable braved the king
insisting on his rights. was true" she
observed proudly.