Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-24

by those who hover around the palace
But you may go in peace" he added
NO one will harm IL fool. If tis
amusement you seek. there's camp OIL
the verge of the forest where Il dark
haired. good looking baggage dances
and tells cards. You can find the place
from the noise within. and if you're
merry they'll welcome you royalty. Go
and God be with your
The jester turned from the good M,
tured guard and quickly walked down
the road. which wound gracefully
through the valley and lost itself afar
in fringe Of woodland. A light pat
tering on the hard earth behind caused
him to look about. Following was a
dog that now sprang forward with
Joyous demonstration. The fool stop
ped and gravely caressed the hound
which last he had seen at the princess
feet
why" he said, thou art now the
fools only friend at court"
When again he moved ON with rapid
nervous stride, the animal came after
Darker grew the road, deeper hued the
fields and stubble, more somber the
distant castle against the gloaming.
Only the cry Of diving night bird
startled the stiffness of the tranquil
air; rapacious tilcher that quickly
rose and swept onward through the
sea of night. Its melancholy note
echoed in the breast Of the fool. Me-
chanically, without relaxing his swift
pace, he looked upward to follow 1t,
when a short, sharp bark behind him
and premOnition Of impending danger
caused him to spring suddenly aside.
At the same time dagger descended
in the empty air, just grazing the
shoulder Of the jester, who, recovering
himself, grasped the arm of his assail,
ant and grappled with him. Finding
him man Of little strength. the fool
easily threw him to the earth and,
kneeling on his breast in turn, menaced
the assailant with the weapon he had
wreSted from MIN.
"Have you any reason. knave, why
should spare you?" asked the fool.
"If l had, for want of breath II
would fail me-" answered the miscre-
ant with some difficulty.
The dukes jester arose. "Get up,
rogue" he said, and the man obeyed.
He was pale. gaunt fellow, with
long hair. unshaven face, hollow
cheeks and dark eyes set deeply in his
head and shaded by thick. black brows.
His dress consisted Of rough doublet,
with lappet sleeves. carried down to a
point; tight legsings. broad shoes and
tile puffed upper hose; the entire raj
ment frayed and worn: his flesh. or.
rather, his bones, showing through the
scanty covering for his legs. while his
feet were no better protected than
those of trooper who has been long
OH the march. He displayed no fear
or enmity. On the contrary. his man
ner was rather friendly than other.
wise, as though he failed to under
stand the enOrmity Of his offense and
the position I'm which he was placed
Shifting from one foot to another, he
crossed his great, thin hands before
him and patiently awaited his cap
tors pleasure. The latter surveyed
him curiously and, noting his woebe-
gone features and beggarly attire. pity,
perhaps. assuaged his just anger to-
ward this starveling.
"Why did you wish to kill me? ask
ed the jester quietly II somewhat i'm
patiently.
1T was not my wish, Master Foo" }"
gently replied the other, but even as
he spoke the resignation in his man.
ner gave way to look Of apprehen-
sion. Lifting his hand, lie felt in his
breast and glanced about him on the
road. Then his face frightened.
with your permission-1 have cen
dropped something
And, STOPPING, the scamp scholar
picked up small leathern bound vol
ume from the ground, where it had
fallen during the struggle, and held II
tightly clutched in his hand. "Ah," he
muttered, with glad sigh, 81 feared
had lost tiny Horace! And now
Sir Jester, what would you with meT
"a question 1 might answer with q
question:" replied the fool. Having