Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-20


who ran wild in the woods. Time hath
tanned her somewhat, but there she
stands"
And what sad memories Of noble
but unfortunate gentleman cluster
around herr muttered the chancellor
"Alas for our brief hour Of triumph
and favor! Yesterday was he great; I
nothing. Today what am I. while he
is nothing"
A great murmur. resolving itself int
shouts and resounding outcry. inter.
rupted the mobiles reminiscent mood
monarch. "Who 10 she?"
"a beggar's brat Francis found here
when he took the CASTLE" replied this
beribboned spark addressed. "Yor
know the story"
"Yes." said the white haired dlplO
mat half sadly. 'This castle once be
longed to the erent constable Of Du.
brois. When he fell from favor the
king besieged him. The constable ned
and died in Spain. That much, OF
course, and the world know. But the
girl
possession Of this ancient pile" ex
as a thickset figure In richly chased
armor. mounted on q massive horse,
crossed the arena.
Bon vouloirv they cried. bon
Vouloir!'
1t was the name assumed by the
free baron for the day, while other
knights were known for the time be-
Ing by such euphonious and chlvalrous
applications as valiant Desyr. Bon
Espoir or Occur Loyal. Bon Vouloir
upon this popular demonstration rein
ed his steed and, removing his head
covering, bowed rcvercntly to the king
and his suit. deeply to the lady Of the
tournament and her retinue and care.
lessly to the vociferous multitude. aft
er which he retired to large tent Of
crimson and gold set apart for his con.
venience and pleasure.
From the purple box the monarch
had nodded graciously. and from the
silver bower the lady had smiled soft
~, 40 that the duke had no reason for
dissatisfaction. The attitude Of the
crowd was Of small moment an un-
musical accompaniment to the potent
pantomime. Of which the principal fig.
ures were Francis. the King Arthur OF
Europa. and the princess, queen OF
beauty's unhoundcd realm.
In front of the dukes pavilion was
hung his shield. and by its side stood
his squire. fancifully dressed in rich
colors.
| Near the dukes pavilion. to the right.
had been pitched a commodiOus tent OF
yellow material. with ropes of the same
color and fools cap GROWING the
pole in place Of the customary banner.
Over the entrance were suspended the
TESTERS gildcd wand and n staff, from
which hung n blown bladder. Here
were Quartered the court testers whom
Francis had commanded to he flttingly
attired for the lists and to take part in
| the general combat.
At the entrance OF the pavilion stood
Caillette. who had watched tue passing
Of Bon vouloir and now was gazing
whence came hum Of voices like the
buzzing Of unnuil bered bees.
"Certes." he commented. 1.-The king
makes much OF this unmannered
luuipish. beer drinking noble who is
going to wed the princess.
"Caillette." said the low voice Of the
dukes Jester at his elbow. would you
see woman undone?"
"Why. mon ami" lightly answered
the French fool who Is the woman
The Princess Louise"
Caillette glanced from the place
where he stood 10 the center OF the
stand and the white bower inclininG
from which was woman. naughty
fair. beautiful, one whose face attract
ed the attention Of the multitude anG
who seemed not unhappy in being thus
scrutinized and admired. Shaking hi'
head slowly. the court poet dropped hi
eyes and studied the sand at his feet.
"She looks not wrOnged,' he sait
dryly. "She appears to enjoy her tri
umphs'
And yet. Caillettc. it's all farce,
answered the dukes jester.
80 have I-thought-on other occa
! sions."
And again his gaze few upward. not
however. 10 the lady whom Francis ha,
: CALAMITY chosen for queen Of beauty
but, despite his alleged cynicisln. to
corner OF the kings own box, wher
sat she who had once been Laughing
maid by his side and with whom b
had played that diverting pastoral call
ed First Love" 1t was only IN In
stant's return into the farcical but Joy
Gus past, md moment later he wa
sharply recalled into the arid presen
by the words of his companion.
The man the Princess Louise 10 &c
ing to marry is no more Robert. tn
duke Of Friedwald. than you are" e1
i claimed the foreign fool. He is Loui
Of Pfalz.urfeld. the 80 called free baro
Of Hochfels. His castle commands tn
; road between the true duke and Frnr
cis' domains. He made himself maj
ter of all the correspondence, conceive
the plan to come here himself. and IL
tends to carry OF the true lords brid'
Indeed, in private he has acknowledge
It all to me, and. failing to corrupt nj
to his service. last night set an assa'
sin to kill me-"
His listener. with folded arms an
attentive mien. kept his eyes Axe
steadily upon the narrator as IL h
doubted the evidence OF his sense
without. the marshals had taken the