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

go ASe uS ~, Sdiu the JeStreSS, very
white.
Silently the plaisant obeyed, and Trl-
boulet once more ventured forth.
"Momus go with your he called out
after them.
More quickly they rode on. Furtive-
", with suppressed rage in his heart,
the dukes fool regarded his COM
pnnion- Her face was cold. and set,
and rs his glance rested on Its pale,
pure outline, beneath his breath he
cursed Brusquet. Triboulet and ali
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 innkceper interrupted this dark
trend Of thought, and, springing from
his horse, the jester helped the girl to
dismount.
The house, being situated in the i'm
mediate proximity of the grand cha
teau, received n 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 well
come. In the present instance the man
showed disposition to scrutinize too
closely the modest attire Of the new
comers and the plain housings Of their
chargers. when the curt voice Of the
Jester recalled him sharply from this
forward occupation.
With shade less Of disrespect the
nrOnrfatNr hoIn Ii,
Rooms were given them, and In the
larger of the two chambers the plai-
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 q lit
tie, and then when she set down the
goblet how it closed, almost flercely.
&"Oh," she said at length, as though
giving utterance to some thought which,
pent up, she could no longer control,
the irony, the tragedy, Of it!'
"What, JacquelineT he asked gen.
tly, although he felt the blood sursing
in his head.
'Morbleu! A merry monarch'-
she began, and broke OF abruptly. ris-
ing to her feet, with gesture Of aver
sion. and moving restlessly across the
room. AFTER all these years! After
all that had gone beforer'
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 its self command.
"a dark night" she said mechanical
ly.
"Jacqueline," he asked, glancing up
from the blade, "why in the crypt that
day we escaped did you pause at that
monument
Quickly she turned, gazing at him
from the half darkness in which she
stood.
did you see to whom the monument
was erectedT she asked In a low
voice.
'"TT the wife Of the constable. But
what was Anne, duchess Of Dubrois.
to your
"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 king?" he
continued after pause.
"Shall I tell you the storyr she
asked. her voice hardening.
eff you WILL" he answered. '
"Triboulets description Of the scene
where the constable brs~ed the king,
insisting on his rights. was true" she
observed proudly.
"But why had the noble wearer Of
this sword been deprived Of his feudal-
fly and tenureT
because he was strong and great,
ana the king feared him; because ne
was noble and handsome, and the
queen regent loved him. 1t was not
her hand only Louise of Savoy, Fran
chs mother, offered, but the throne"
Quickly she crossed the room and
leaned upon the table. In the glimmer
Of the candles her face was soft and
tender. He thought he had never seen
sweeter or more womanly express
sion.
"But he refused it," she continued,
"for he loved only the memory Of his
wife, Lady Anne, she q perfect being;
the other-whatY
On her features shone q fine con-
tempt.
Then followed the endless persecu-
tion and spite Of woman scorned,"
she continued rapidly. Zone by one his
-honors were wrested from him. He
who had borne the nag trlumphantly
through Italy was deprived Of the gov
ernment Of Milan, and replaced by
brother OF Nine de Chateaubriant,
then favorite Of the king. His castle,
lands. were conhscated until, driven to
despair, he fed and allied himself
with the emperor. Traitor they cali
ed him-he, Bayardl"