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

hill; on each side Of the highway the
forests parted wider and wider, and
the thoroughfare was bathed In o
white light.
As they rode along on thiu clearly Il.
lumincd highway Caillette glanced in.
t~errogativeiy at the PLEASANT. The out
come Of his journey--should he speak
now or later, when they were alone?
The nswer Of the dukes fool to his
companions glance was a direct In.
Quiry.
"You found the emperor" be said.
Yes, and presented your message
with some m%isgivinq."
And did he treat 1t with tho scant
consideration you expectedT
ION the contrary, his majesty read It
NOT once, but twice, and changed COL
or"
And then?"
"Whatcver magic your letter con-
tained," replied Caillette. ut seemed
convincing to Charles. My brother
Francis must be strangely credulous
to be sc cozened by an impostor.'
Quoth he, with a CLEAN Of humor in his
gaze"
"Impostor" 1t was the young girl
who spoke. %interrupting In her sur
prise the troubadour's story.
You did not know, MISTRESS" said
Caillette.
NO." she answered and listened the
closer.
when l left. two messages the Elm.
peror gave me-" went on the other.
zone for the king, the other for you"
And. taking from his doublet n docu-
ment weighted with a ponderous disk.
the speaker handed 1t to the dukes
fool. who silently thrust it in his
breast. Moreover. Unexpectedly, but
as good fortune would have it, his
majesty was even then completing
preparations for a journey through
France to the Netherlands. owing to
unlocked for troubles in that part of
his domains. and had already dis.
patched his ENJOYS to the king. Charles
assured me that he would still further
hasten his intended visit to the Low
ahO NOiAV at ObSCs nVAh-
while his communication to the king"
tapping his breast. will at least delay
the nuptials. and. with the promise of
the emperor's immediate arrival, the
marriage cannot occur"
1T has occurred" said the jester.
The other uttered a quick exclama-
ton. 'Then have l failed in my err
rand" he muttered blankly. But the
king! Had lie no suspicion:'
1T vas through the Countess
d'Etampes the monarch was led to
change the time for the festivities"
spoke up J%acqueline in%voluntarily.
"She!!' exclaimed the poet. with a
gesture of half aversion. For some
time they ven on without further
words. Then suddenly Caillette drew
rein.
This news makes ii the more neces-
sary l should hasten to the king" he
said. The emperor's message-Fran-
els should receive it at once. Here.
therefore must l leave you; or why do
you not return with ne:" addressing
the jester. The letter from Charles
will exonerate you, and Francis will re-
ward you in proportion to the injuries
you have suffered. What say you,
MISTRESS
THAT l will go back" she an
swered briefly and looked away
Caillctte's perplexity was relieved by
the PLEASANT. Farewell, il you must
leave" said the latter. I'VE meet
again. l trust
'The fatcs willing" returned the
poet. Farewell, and good fortune go
with you both" And. wheeling abrupt
~. he rode slowly back. The Jester
and the girl watched him disappear
over the road they had come.
"A true friend" said the PLEASANT as
Caillette vanished In the gloom.
you regret not returning with him,
perhapsT' she observed quickly. Hon
ors and Offices Of preferment are not
plentiful"
II want none Of them from Francis
he returned as they started slowly or
their way.
Their horses crept along; the girl
bent forward YEARLY heretofore the ex
element and danger had sustained her
but now the reaction from all she had
endured bore down upon her. She
thought of calling to the fool. of crav
ing the rest she 80 needed, but a feel
ing Of pride or constraint held hel
silent. Before her the shadows danced
illusively, the Aim Of brightness chang
ed and shifted. then all glimmerinl
and partial shade were swallowed W
In a black chasm.
Riding near, the jester observed hel
form sway from side to side and spur
red forward. In a moment he hat
clasped her waist, then lifted her from
the saddle aud held her before him.
"~Jacqueline" be cried.
She offered no resistance. Her heat
remained motionless on his breast. Sed
ulously he bent owe her. The warn
breath treasured him; tired nature hat
simply succumbed.
Gathering the young form gently Il
him. the Jester rode slowly on, ant
the horse Of his companion followed
So he went. he knew not how long
listening to her breathing that cam
full and deep. half fearing, half won
dering at that relaxation. For the frs
time he forgot about the emperor ant
his purpose, the free baron and the de
sires Of sweet Arrangement. He though
only of her he held; how courageous ye
alone she was In the world; how sh'