Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-03
By FREDERIC S. IsHAM,

Author Of The Stroller,

Surely" murmured the princess,
there will be no lack Of entertain
ment with this knave under the same
roof-too much entertainment, fear
me. Well. admit the bold fellow"
Crossing to the door, the maid push
ed it back. and the figure of the jester
passed the threshold, figure so grace
full and well built the lady's eyes,
turning toward him with mild inquiry,
fingered with approval; fingered and
were upraised to a fair, handsome
face. when approval gave way to Won
der.
Was this the imprudent, hot Drained
rogue WHO had staggered in Fools
hall and made q farce Of the affairs
of the nation? His countenance SEEM
ed that OF courtier rather than low
born scapegrace, his bearing in conso-
nance us, approaching the princess, he
knelt near the edge Of her sweeping
crimson garment. Quietly the maid
withdrew to corner Of the apartment,
where she seated herself on a low
stool, her fingers idly playing with the
delicate carvings of vase Of silver
containing water that had been bless
ed and standing conveniently near the
aspersOrium.
You come from the Duke Of Fried
wald, fool?" said the mistress, recov-
ering from her surprise.
"Yes, princess"
Louise smiled and looked toward the
maid as II to say, why, he's model
of decOrumw but the girl continued
regarding the figures on the vase,
seemingly Indifferent to the scene be-
fore her.
81 hear, sirrah, but poor account
of your behavior last night" continued
the princess. You must have care
or shall send you back to the duke
and command him to have you whip
ped. You have been here but over
night, yet how many enemies have
you made? The king, the admiral and,
last but not least, certain lady. Poor
fool! You may have saved your neck
but for how long? Fie, what al ac-
count must give Of you to your mas
terri
"Ah, madam" he answered quickly,
"you show me now the folly Of 1t all"
LET me see," she went on more
gently, "what we may do, since you
are penitent. The king may forgive,
the admiral forget, but the lady-she
will neither forget nor forgive. For
tunately, think she fears to disoblige
me, and If l let it be known you are
an indispensable part of my house
hold She paused thoughtfully. BE
sides, she has little secret she would
keep from the king. Yes, the secret
will save you!" And Louise smiled
knowingly as one who, although most
devout. perhaps had missed few pa
ters or credos in listening to idle world
ly gossip.
"Madam," he said, raising his head,
"you overwhelm me with your good
ness"
"Oh, l like her not; most designing
creature" returned the lady carelessly.
"But YOU may rise. Hand me that EN-
broidery," she added when he had
obeyed. |How do l know the duke
my betrothed. whom have never
seen, has not sent you to report upon
my poor charms? What If you were
only his emissary|
"Priucess." he answered, II am but
a fool; no emssary. If were
"Well?'
She smiled indulgently at the open
admiration written so boldly upon his
face. and, encouraged by her glance.
he regarded her swiftly. compreheI'
sively--the masses Of hair the fillet III
confined: eyes soft lidded. dreamy as
summers day: figure. pagan In gen.
erous proportions; foot, however
petite, Partisan, peeping from beneath
a robe. heavy, voluminous, vivid!
"If YOU were?" she suggested. pass
ing golden thread through the cloth
she held.
81 would write him the miniature he
has of you told but half the truth"
$50 you have seen the miniature? 1t
lies carelessly about, no doubtT Yet
her tone was not one Of displeasure.
"The duke frequently draws 1t from
his breast to look at it."
"And so many handsome women III
the kingdom, toow laughed the prin-
cess. "a tiny. paltry bit Of vellum"
Her lips curled indulgently, as OF
person sure of herself. Did not the
fools glance pay her that tribute 10
which she was not stranger? Her
lashes. suddenly lifted, met his fully,
and drove his look, grown overbold, to
cover. The princess smiled. She might
well believe the stories about him.
vet was not Ill pleased. Like master.
like manw says the proverb. She con-
tinued to survey the graceful figure.
well poised head and handsome fea-
lures Of the jester.
"Tell me, sirrah." she continued, "of
the duke. Straightforwardly or Ill
leave thee TO the mercy Of madam, the
admiral's wife! What is he like?'
"a fairly likely mani!
"'Tis what one says Of man when
one can say nothing else. He Is not.
then, handsome"
"He has never been 80 considered"
The princess needle remained sus'
pended, then viciously plunged into the
golden Cupid she was embroidering.
"The king hath played with me-" she
murmured. "He represented him as
one of the most distinguished appear
ing knights in the emperor's domains.
Is he dark or lightT she went on.
Ozark"
"Tall?"
"Rathe, short"
"His e,es% said the lady after an
omin0us pause.
Brown"