Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-04-23

l.
gracefully arose, while now grouped
around the throne stood the hcral
and pursuvants of the lists In her
hand Louise held the gift. covered with
silver veil. an end of which was car
ried by each of the m;ti1s
'fhir lady OF the touinament" said
the king. this gallant knight is Bon
NoHloir. whom You have even heard
proclaimed tie victor of the day
"tpprpacL, Bon Nouluir..' command
t,l the queen OF love.
IAe maids uncovered the gift. the
customary chapIet of beaten gold. and
aS dc free baron bowed his head the
princess with Il firm hand fulfilled the
functions of Ter office. Rising. Bon
N"aioir. amid the eNeiamaiionS of the
es,l;i; claimed the privilege that went
with the biuh" \ moment he looked
at The princess: she seemed to bend
!, beneath his regard then. leaninY for
j ward deliberately rather tlan ardent
/ lN he touched Itcr check with his lil1S.
| Those Who watched the queen of love
closely observed her face become pslcl
and her form trenhle. but in a moment
she WAS again mistress of herself, heG
features prouder and colder than be
fore
rs it your pleasure to open the fes-
| tv!tics. Sire" murmlred the favori1c.
and without further words Francis
acquieSced, profering his arm to his
companion.
Masque. costume ball. ballet. it was
all one to the king and the court. Who
never wearied of the dver,ing vagaries
of The dance Now. studying that pan
tolnlntie group of rNmalers in the
! rhythmital expression of action and
movement could almost be read the in
| fiuenre and relative POSITIONS of the
! fair revelelS
II here. I've danced enough" said a
painting voice and Jacqueline. breath
less. paused before the dukes fool.
who stood Il notionIess spectator of the
reNelIy In his rich costume of blue
Hnd white the figure of the foreign
/ Jester presented fair and striking
appearance, but his face. proud and
composed, WAS wanting in that spirit
which animated the features of his feI-
lows in motley
zone more turn. fair Jacqueline:"
, suggested Marot, her partner in the
| dance.
! Not one. she answered.
'lS that dismiSsul:" he asked
| lightly.
lis for you to determine" retorted
the maid.
M odcsty forhidS l should interpret
! it to my DESIRES" he returned, laugh
ing. as he disappeared.
| Tail. seeming strai%hter than usual
! upon each cheek fcsta rose, she stood
before the dukes plaisant inscrutable.
! as WAS her fashion. the scarf about her
! shoulders just stirring from the effects
Of the dance and her lips parted to her
| hurried breathing.
"How did you like the ceremony?"
| she asked quietly. And did you
! know" she went OH, without noticing
the dark look in his eyes or awaiting
| his RESPONSE, the lance turned upon
| You today was not a weapon of collr-
tesy!"
You mean II was directed by inten-
tom" he asked indifferenty.
| Not only that" she answered II
mean that the disk had been removed
and the point left bare"
"A mistake. of course" he said, with
peculiar smile.
\ look of iill,;itience crossed her face,
| but she gazcd at him intently. and her
| eyes held his from the floor, where they
would have strayed.
"Are you stupid. or do YOU but pro
| fess to be- She demanded. Before
| the tilt | noticed the duke and his
trooper talking together. When they
separated. the latter. unohseiNed, as
/ he thought, struck the point of his
| weapon against his Stllup. The disk
| fell to the ground.
"Your glance is sharp. ,Iacquelne,"
he retorted slowly. THANK you for
the iuformation.'
Her eyes kindled. An angry retort
seemed about to spring from her lips.
! 1t was With difficulty she controlled
herself to answer calmly a moment
| later
You mean it can serve YOU nothing:
! Perhaps YOU are rlGht. loaaE you were
| lucky. Tomorrow YOU may De-What!
To-day YOU defended yourself well, ana
it was Il good lance You bore, Had 1t
been any other Jester the King would
have praised him. Because 1t was YOU
no word has been spoken. If anything,
your success has annoyed him. Several
of tie court spoke of it. lie answered
not. Ills the signal 10 ignore il and
YOU
"ihen are YOU courageous to brave
p,lhlic o"nieu and hold converse with
me-. lie renHod, with smile.
~l'uhIic opinion" She exclaimed, with
dasanq eyes .Wb,a would thoJ say
of Il jp~tre,s: Who is She: What IS
She
she ended abruptly. lit Aer lips,
showing her cleaning White teeth.
1'hen some emotion more profound
swopt over her expressive face She
looked al him silently and when she