Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

VOW were his emotions at the reception accorded him? From king to churl was he a gallant noble; he a swaggerer, i'll born, a terrorist of mountain passes. Even as the irony of the demonstra- tion swept over the jester from above fell a flower white as the box from whence it was waited. Downward 1t duttered, a messenger of amity, like a dove to his gauntlet. And with the fa- vor went smile from the lady of the lists. But while Bon Vouloir stood there, the symbol in his hand and the applause ringing in his ears, into the tenor of his thoughts, the consciousness of partly gratified ambition, there crept an insinuating warning of danger.
 My lord," said the trooper with the red mustache, riding by the side of his master. the fool is plotting further mischief"
 What mean youT' asked the free baron, drowning. as he turned toward his side of the field.
 "Go slowly. my lord. and I will tell you. I saw the fool and another jester with their heads together continued the trooper in low tone. '"They were standing in front of the testers tent. You bade me watch him. So l entered their pavilion at the back. Making pretext to be looking for a gusset for an armor joint. l made my way near the entrance. There, bending over bar bet pieces. l overheard fragments of their conversation. It even bore on your designs"
 "A conversation on my designs! He has then dared"-
 "All, my lord A scheming knave! After I had heard enough I gathered up a skirt of tassets"- What did you hear"' said the other impatiently.
 "A plan by which he hoped to let the emperor k4sow'-
 A loud flourish of trumpets near them interrupted the free baron's in- former, and when the clarion tones had ceased it was the master who spoke. Come to my tent afterward. Mean whle,' he went on hurriedly, direct lance at the foor'-
 But, my lord," expostulated the man quickly, the testers only are to oppose one another.'
 "It will pass for an accident. Francis likes him not, and will clear you of unknightly conduct. if He finished with a boldly significant look, which was not lost upon his man.
 Even if the leaden disk should fall from my lance and leave the point bare?" said the trooper hoarsely.
 Even that" responded the free bar on hastily.
 "Laissez -aller.'' cried the marshals. giving the signal to begin.
 Above, in her white box, the princess turned pale With bated breath and parted lips she watched the lines sweep forward and, like two great waves meeting, collide with crash. The dust that arose seemed an all en- shrouding mist Beneath 1t the figures appeared. vague, undefined, in a maze of uncertainty.
 "Oh." exclaimed Louise, striving to penetrate the cloud. "he is victorious"
 !'They have killed him. said Jacque- line. at the same time staring toward another part of the field.
 Killed him? What began the princess. now rosy with excitement.
 No; he has won," added the maid in the next breath as a portion of the ob- scuring mantle was swept aside.
 "Of course! Where are your eyes" rejoined her mistress triumphantly. "The duke is one of the emperors greatest knights"
 "In this case, madam. it is but natu- ral your sight should be better than my own," half mockingly returned the maid.
 And in truth the princess was right, for the kings guest. through over whelming strength and greater mo- mentum. had lightly rlucked from his seat a stalwart adversary. Others of his following failed not in the eat taint." and horses and troopers foun- dered in the sand.
 As the lines swept together. with the dust rising before, Jacqueline per