Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-25

the little town, the scene OF
their late adventures. and that they
who had been fool and joculatrix rode
once more through the street they had
ns'sr expected to see again. The flags
were flying; cannon doomed. They adj
vanced beneath wreaths Of roses, the
way paved with flowers. Standing at
the door Of his inn. the landlord drop
ped his jaw In amazement as his
glance fell upon the jestress and her
companion behind the great emperor
himself. His surprise, too, was alb
ruptly voiced by ragged, wayworn
person not far distant in the crowd.
whose fingers had been busy about the
pockets of his neighbors: fingers which
had deft habit Of working by them
selves while his eyes were bent else
where and his lips Joined In the gener-
al acclaim; fingers which, like anten-
nae, seemed to have a special intelli-
Rence of their own. Now those long
weapons Of abstraction and appropria-
ton ceased their deft work. He be-
came all eyes.
Good lack! Who may the noble gen.
tleman behind the emperor be?" he ex-
claimed. Surely tits the dukes fool"
"And ride with the EMPEROR said a
burly citizen at his elbow. "'Tis thou
who art the fool"
Truly think So" answered the
other. II Sc, believe. but may not un-
1erstand."
At that moment the dukes gaze In
passing CHANGED to rest upon the
pinched and overcurious face of the
scamp student. A CLEAN Of recollec-
hon shone in his glance "Gladius
gemmatus" cried the scholar. and a
smile on the mobiles couutenance told
him be had heard. Turning the prob
lem in his mind. the vagrhnt philoso-
pher forgot about pilfering and the
procession itself, when q soldier touch
ed him roughly on the shoulder.
Are you the scamp STUDENT" said
the trooper.
Now they'll hang me with these
ppoils in my pockets thought the
scholar. But as bravely' as might be
he replied, 1.-The former I am; the lat
ter would be-"
Then the Duke of Friedwald sent
he to give you this purse" remarked
the man. suiting the action to the
word. He babe me say tits to take
the place Of a bit Of silver you once
did not earn" And the trooper van
lshed.
"Welladay!' commented the burly
.itizen, regarding the gold pieces and
the philosopher in wonderment OF his
swn. "You may be fool, but you
must be an honest knave."
At the chateau the meeting between
The two monarchs was unreservedly
rordial on both sides. They spoke
with satisfaction of the peace now ex-
lsting between them and of other mat
ters social and political. The emperor
deplored deeply the untimely demise
Of Francis son. Charles, who had
raught the infection Of plague while
Dleeping at Abbeville. Later the misal-
lance Of the princess was cautiously
ouched upon. That lady, said Francis
kravely, to whom the gayeties of the
court at the present time could not
fail to be distasteful, had left the cha
teau Immediately upon her return.
Ever Of a devout mind, she had re-
paired to a convent and announced her
Intention Of devoting herself and her
hot uncomfortable fortune to higher
and more spiritual life. Charles, who
1T that period of his lofty estates him
self hesitated between the monastery
and the court. applauded her resolu.
ton. to which the king perfunctorily
and but half heartedly responded.
Shortly after, the emperor. fatigued
~ his journey. begged leave to retire
to his apartments. whittier he went
accompanied by his brother OF
France" and followed by his attend
Nnts. At the door Francis. with many
expressions Of good will, tsA, leave OF
his royal guest for the time being and
turning. encountered the Duke OF
Friedwald.
Francis, himself once accustomed to
assume the disguise OF an archer OF
the royal guard the better to pursue
his love follies among the people, now
gazed curiously upon one who had be.
fooled the entire court.
"You took your departure, my lord
said the king quietly. without waiting
for the order Of your going"
He who enacts the fool, your mai.
esty, without patent to Office must
needs have good legs" replied the
young man. Elise will he have his
fingers burnt"
"Only his fngers?" returned the mon.
arch. with a smile somewhat sardonic
Truly" thought the other, as Fran
els strobe away, "the king regrets the
fools escape from Notre Dnme and the
fagots."
During the next day Charles called
arst for his leech and then for priest
but. whether the former or the latter
or both. temporarily ged tine rest
lessness Of mortal disease. that night
he was enabled to be present at the
character dances given In his honor
BY the ladies' Of the court in the great
gallery Of the chateau.
At signal from the cornet gitterns
violas and pipes began to play, and
Frances and his august guest. accom-.
panied by Queen Eleanor and the Gun.
perors sister. Marguerite of Navarro
entered the ball. followed by the
dauphin aud Catharine de- Medici
Diane de Poitiers. the Duchesse
dEtampss, marshal. chancellor and
others Of tho kings friends and coun'
oelors, courtieYs. poets. testers philos.