The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-24

A!rcFnupS IL was magic and the cell
doors few open at my touch"
II can almost believe it." lie return
ed.
And his glance fell thoughtfuiiy from
her to the couch. Before the assault
he had lain Mt night upon the straw
on the floor, and this unhoped for i'm
munity from the dampness of the
stones or the scamperlng of occasional
rats suggested another starting point
for mental inquiry. She smiled, read
Ing the Interrogation on his face.
"One Of the turnkeys furnished the
bed" she remarked shrewdly. "Do
you like itr,
'sIt Is better couch than I have
been accustomed to- he replied, in no.
wise misied by her response and sur
missing that her solicitation had pro-
cured him this luxury. Nevertheless
the night has seemed strangely long,"
ut has been long," she returned,
moving toward the window, "a week
and more"
You tell me I have lain here
weekT he asked finally, recalling OBJ
scure memories Of family seen faces
and voices heard as from afar.
"And more" she repeated.
For some moments he remained 81
lent, passing from introspection to a
current Of thought Of which she could
know nothing-the means he had TAX
en- to thwart the ambitious projects of
the kings guest.
HAS Caillette returnedY' he contin-
ued, with Ill disguised eagerness.
S(snfllQffe ~ clio 1;f%t-~ 1,1-
brows ut the abruptness of the inquiry.
"Has he been away? had not no.
ticed. I do not know"
'Then is he still absent" said the
Jester decisively. Had he come back
you would have heard"
Quickly she looked at him. Caillette!
Spain! These were the words he had
often uttered in his delirium. Although
he seemed much better and the hot
flush had left his cheeks, his fantasy
evidently remained.
"a week and over!' resumed the fool.
more to himself than to his companion.
"But he still may return before the
duke is welded"
{ And II he did return?" she asked.
wishing to humor him.
"Then the duke is not like to marry
the princess" he burst out.
/: "Not like-to marryv' she replied sud-
denly and moved toward him. Her
clear eyes were full upon him. Closely
she studied his worn features. mot
like-but he has married herv'
The Jester strove to spring to his
feet, but his legs seemed as relaxed as
his brain was dazed.
"Has married? Impossiblev he ex-
claimed fercely.
'They Sasre welded two days since"
she went on quietly, possibly regret
ting that surprise or she knew not what
had made her speak.
"Wedded two days sincew
He repeated 1t to himself, striving to
realize what It meant.
''You must have your drollery," he
said unsteadily Mt length.
to. question her with his eyes. Quite
still she remained save fol-. an almost
irnperoeptible movement ofsbreathing.
Againsf the dull beams from the apers;
ture above her hair darkly framed Her
face, pale, dim with half lights, illuso-
ry. When he again spoke his voice
sounded new to his own ears.
.How could the princess have been
marriedf Even II have lain here az
long as you say, the day for the wed
ding was set for at least a week from
now"
"But changed" she responded unex.
pectedly.
"Changedr' he-cried, sitting on tho
a a. n< fbA crIt hn~.
as though he doubted he had heard
Alright. ''Why should it have been
changedT
= because the duke became a most
impatient suitor," she answered. "Dai-
ly he grew more eager. Finally to at
tain his end he importuned the count
ess. She laughed, but good naturedly
lzfsded to his request and in turn i'm
H0ftuned the king, who generously
yielded. II has been a rare laughing
matter at court that the duke, who ap-
peared the least passionate adorer,
should really have been such restless
one.v
"Dolt that have beenp exclaimed
the jester with more anger, 1t seemed
to the girl, than jealousy. "And 80 he
they are gone, JacquelineY
"Yes," she returned, surprised at his
language and for the first time won
dering IL the dukes wooing admitted
Of other complications than she had
suspected. "They are on their way to
the dukes kingdom"
Ills Kingdom said the fool. with
derision. "But go on. Tell me about
n Iarouosfna- how xhav cat n,,k A.,
their Journey"
"They were married in the Chapelie
de la Trinite." responded the girl, hesi-
tating. Then, with an odd side look,
she went on rapidly: 'sThe bridal party