Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-30

the kings buHOOn Sprang With head.
long fury, uttering hoarse, cultural
sounds. that awakened msgivings re-
rprding the fate of his too confident
antagonist.
40 not kill him. Tribouletw cried
Mnrot. alarmed lest the dukes fool
should be slain outright. Remember
he has journeycd from the court Of
Charles VIZ
"Cbarles W. came through Tribou-
let's half closed teeth. "My masters
one great enemy"
"FIush! muttered villot. "Our mas.
ter's enemy Ia now his dear friendv
"Friendw sneered the other, but even
az he thrust his sword tingled sharply
IN his hand and whisked magically out
Of his grip, described a curve in the
mir and fell Mt far end Of the room.
At the same time singing blow de-.
scended smartly on the dwarfs hump.
Pardon me-" laughed the dukes
fool. "Bcing unused to such exercise
my blade fell by mistake on your
back"
II looks could have killed. Triboulet
would have achieved bis original pur-
pose, but after a vindictive though fu-
tile glance his head dropped despond-
entity. To have been thus Inundated
before those whom he regarded as his
vassals. What jest could restore him
the prestige he had enjoyed. what play
OF words efface the shame of that pub
lie chnstisement? Had he been beaten
by the king but thus to suffer at the
hand Of n foreign fool! And the mon
arch-would he learn of 1.-THE punish
ment of the royal Jester? As in q
dream lie heard the hateful voices of
the company.
"'Tis not the first time he has been
wounded there said fearless Gail
lette, who openly acknowledged his
aversion for the kings favorite fool.
"But be seated. gentle sir" he added
to the stranger, "and share our rough
hospitality
Trough, certes.' commented the 9th
err MS he returned his blade to his belt
"And as see no STOOL
"Thcrc's the throne" returned Gail.
lette courteously. "Since you have
overcome Triboulet his place is yours
"a precarous placer said the new
conner easily, dropping, nevertheless,
into the chair.
1.-THE king is dead! Long live the
king cried the cardinals jester.
Long live the king they shouted
every fool and zany raising tankard
save the dwarf and the young woman
the former continuing to glare vindic-
lively upon the usurpcr and the latter
to all intent remaining oblivious Of the
ceremony of installation. Poised upon
chair, she idly thrust her fingers
through the gildcd bars Of the cage
that hung from the rafters and gently
stroked the head Of the now COM
PLEASANT bird.
Poor Jocko! Poor Jocko" she muir.
INJURED.
LA. Ia. la" sang the parrot, re-
sponsive to her light caress.
your majesty's wishes. Your maj.
esty's decreew exclaimed the mOnastic
wit worm.
Hear hear" roared BrusQuet.
"Silence." commanded Marot "His
majesty speaks"
"Toot. toot, toot" rang out the flour
Ash of trumpet. Il clarion prelude to
the fiat from the throne
The new king IL motley arose, heed
less, devil may care cry erect In his
prcposterously pointed shoes.
tod -
the exchequer, because you are quick
Mt sleight Of land" he began.
Good" laughed Marot. IAN he's
more light fingered than his predeces
sor. he's n master Of prestidigitation"
You. Brusquet." went on the new
master of Fools hall, Il reward Will
the government of Guienne. for he
who governs his own house so Ill Is
surely fitted for greater tasks Of in
competency"
This allusion to the petticoat rule
which dominated the lnckless jester Al
home was received in good part by al
save the hapless domestic bondmar
himself
you. Villot, are made admiral Of the
fleet"
Villot smiled thinking how Franci:
had but recently bestowed that Office
upon the impoverished husband o.
pretty Nine. d'Etaille.
"Ihanks. your majesty" he began
"but if some post nearer home
you are to sail at once.'
"But nv wife,
Twill remain at court" announced
the dukes Jester with great decision.
Nillot made wry face. The king ir
motley smiled Significantly. "A SAFE
haven, Villot. Besides. remember q
court without ladies is like spring
without flowers
A movement resembling apprehen
sion swept through the company. The
epigram had been Francis; the court
Il flower bed of roses was in conse
quence thorny maze for Il jester tC
tread. From her chair at the far enc
Of the room the young woman looked
[ IllL[ / I'D