Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-27

: this scurril ous doggerel of the court
 over which doubtless many loose wit lings had In ughed, the girls compan ion placed his hand on his sword and
 started toward the dwarf, The words
 died on Triboulet's lips. Hastily he
 dodged into q narrow space between two houses, where he was safe from
 pursuit. Jacqueline's face had become
 flushed. Her lips were compressed The countenance of the dukes plaisant
 seemed paler than its wont. Little monster.' he muttcred.
 But the hunchback in his retreat was
 now regarding neither the horsemau
 nor the young girl. His glittering eyes as if fascinated, rested on the weapon
 of the plaisant What fine blade you've got there! he said curiously Much better than
 wooden sword Jeweled. too, by the holy bagpipe! And coat of arms more excitedly-"yes, the coat of arms of the great constable of Dubrois. AS proud a sword as that of the king Where did you get it?" And in his sudden interest the dwarf half ven. tured from his place of refuge. Answer him not!' said the girl hastily.
 Was 1t you, mistress, gave it him? p he asked, with sudden sharp look. Her contemptuous gaze was her only reply.
 By the dust of kings, when last I saw 1t, the naughty constable himself 1t was who wore it." continued Fri. boulet. Aye, when he defied Francis to his face. I can see him now, a rich surcoat over his gilded armor, the queen mother gazing at him with all her soul in her eyes. the brilliant coin pany startled, even the king overawed. Twas I broke the spell, while the monarch and the court were silent, not daring to speak,
 Your From the young woman's eyes flashed a flame of deepest ha- tired.
 The hunchback shrank back. then laughed. II, Triboulet.:' he boasted. "'Ha.' said I, he's greater than the king" whereupon Francis drowned, started and answered the constable re- fusing his claim. Not long thereafter the constable died in Spain. and con- pleted the jest. So said l, he is less than a man. And the king, who re- membered, laughed"
 Let us go.'' said the jestress. very white
 Silently the plaisant Obeyed. and Fri boulet once more ventured forth. "Momus go with yOu" he called out after them.
 More quickly they rode on. Furtive- ly, with suppressed rage in his heart, the dukes fool regarded his con- panion. Her face was cold and set and as his glance rested on it's pale pure outline. beneath his breath he cursed BrusQuet, Triboulet and all their kind. He understood now-toO well-the secret of her flight. What he had heretofore been fairly assured of was unmistakably confirmed. The sight of the tavern which they came suddenly. upon and. .tbe appearance, ,pf the innkeeper interrupted this dark trend of thought, and, springing from his horse, the jester helped the girl to dismount.
 The house. being situated ill the i'm mediate proximity of the grand cha teau, received a certain patronage from noble lords and ladies. This trade had given the proprietor such an opinion of his hostelry that common folks were not wont to be overwhelmed with wei come. In the present instance the man showed a disposition to scrutinize too closely the modest attire of the new corners and the plain housings of their chargers, when the curt voice of the jester recalled him sharply from this forward occupation.
 With a shade less of dsrespect the proprietor bade them follow him. Rooms were given them. and in the larger of the two chambers the plai- sant. desiring to avoid publicity of the dining and tap room. ordered their sup 1 per to be served.
 During the repast the girl scarcely spoke; the capon she hardly touched; the. claret she merely slipped. Once when she held the glass to her lips he 1 noticed her hand trembled just a lit tie. and then when she set down the goblet how it closed. almost fiercely.
 Oh" she said at length. as though : giving utterance to some thought which. pent up. she could no longer control. the irony. the tragedy. of it.'' What. Jacqueline?" he asked gen ! tly. although he felt the blood surging ] fin his head
 1 "Morbleu, A merry monarch she began. and broke on abruptly. ris- ing to her feet. with a gesture of aver ! sion. and moving restlessly across the room. After all these years. After i all that had gone before.' For some time he sat with his sword across his knees. thinking deeply. She went to the window and looked out. When she spoke again her voice had , regained its self command : "A dark night she said mechanical 1 iy.
 '.JacqueliBe.' he asked. glancing up from the blade. why in the crypt that day we escaped did you pause at that monumentr'
 Quickly sire turned. gazing at him from the half darkness in which she stood.
 "Did you see to whom the monument was erectedT- she asked in a low voice.
 "To the wife of tine constable. But what was Anne. duchess of Dubrois.