Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-25

When left, two messages the en-
 "one for the king, the other for you" And, taking from his doublet a dOcu-
 ment weighted with ponderous disk, the speaker handed it to the dukes
 fool, who silently thrust 1t in his breast. Moreover, unexpectedly, but
 as good fortune would have it, his majesty was even then completing preparations for q journey through France to the Netherlands, owing to unlocked for troubles in that part of his domains, and had already dis patched his envoys to the king. Charles
 assured He that he would still further hasten his intended visit to the Low Countries and come at once. Mean while his communication to the king" tapping his breast, twill at least delay the nuptials. and. with the promise of the emperor's immediate arrival, the ] marriage cannot occur"
 Ut has occurred" said the jester. The other uttered a quick exclama- tion. Then have I failed in my CT IiIIl, uC uulltItu DldIlhIN. put tuC king. Had he no suspicion?" Ut was through the Countess dEtampes the monarch was led to change the time for the festivities" spoke up Jacqueline iuvoluntarily. "She.' exclaimed the poet, with gesture of half aversion. For some time they went on without further words. Then suddenly Caillette drew rein.
 This news makes it the more neces-
 sary l should hasten to the king he said. The emperor's message-Fran- cis should receive 1t at once. Here therefore, must l leave you; or why do you not return with me?' 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?' r.. -,-,..~,e~t 7 s..a~"~, That will never go back she an swered briefly and looked away. Caillette's perplexity was relieved by the plaisant. Farewell if you must leave" said the latter. We meet again, trust
 "The fates willing" returned the poet. Farewell. and good fortune go with you both" And. wheeling abrupt
 ly, he rode slowly back. The jester
 and the girl watched him disappear over the road they had come. "A true friend" said the plaisant as
 CalIette vanished in the gloom.
 You regret not returning with him, perhaps? ?" she observed quickly. Hon.
 ors and offices of prefernent are not
 plentiful"
 T want none of them from Francis"
 he returned as they started slowly on
 their way.
 Their horses crept along: the girl
 bent forward wearily heretofore the ex- citement 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 so needed. but feel ing of pride or constrnint held her
 silent. Before her the shadows danced illusively. the film of brightness chang ed and shifted. then all glimmering md partial shade were swallowed up in a black chasm.
 Riding near. the jester observed her form sway from side to side and spur red forward. In a moment he had casped her waist, then lifted her from
 the saddle and held her before him.
 "Jacqueline" he cried.
 She offered no resistance. Her head
 remained motionless on his breast. Sed-
 ulously he bent over her. The warm
 breath reassured him: tired nature had
 simply succumbed.
 Gathering the young form gently to
 him, the jester rode slowly on, and
 the horse of his companion followed.
 So he went, he knew not how long,
 listening to her breathing that came
 full and deep, half fearing, half wOn-
 dering at that relaxation. For the first
 time he forgot about the emperor and
 his purpose, the free baron and the de-
 sires of sweet arrangement. He thought
 only of her he held: how courageous yet
 alone she was in the world: how she
 had planned the service which won her
 the right to his protection: her flight from Francis-but where? To whom
 could she go: To whom could she
 turn: Unconscious she lay in his arms in that deep sleep or heavy in- ertia following exhaustion, her pale face against his shoulder and as the
 young plaisant bent over her his heart
 thrilled with protecting tenderness.
 And. but for him. whom else had she: This young girl. had she not be- come his burden of responsibility, his
 moral obligation? For the first time
 he seemed to realize how the fine ten drills of her nature had touched his: touched and chung. ever SO gently, but fast
 He saw her. too. secretly and silent ly cherishins a new faith in her bos- cm amid throng. lax and infirm of purpose. aud wonderment gave way to another emotion as his mind leaped . from that past. with it's covert. inner , life, to the untrammelcd moment when
 she had thrown of the mask in the sol itude of the forest.
 Mar the bell of some wandereT from the herd tinkIed drowsily. arousng him from his reverie. The horses were as- cending. The road emerged> into a
 plain set with brackpn and gorse. with here and there single tree whose D inclining trunk told of storms braved for many saaSoux Near fhe hiChWa-