Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-13

room, and O trooper with fierce red
mustache waved q swarm Of pages,
cupbearers and attendants from the
door and closed 1t. How are the men
Quartered, JOHANNA?
with all the creature comforts, my
lord" answered the soldier, gazing
downward.
Hold them In check. Johann as
though we were In a campaign" said
the noble.
Eyes, my lord" returned the man,
staring impassively before him.
Saluting respectfully, an expression
OF quick intelligence on his f1orid fea-
lures, the trooper backed out OF the
room. With his hands behind hin, lis
shoulders bent forward, the duke long
pondered, his look. keen ana discern
Ing, bis persplcacity clear in spite Of
Francis wine or the nltoA icall)u of the
princess eyes. Although I'll" NobjeS
glance seemed bent OH vacancy, il was
himself MS well as others he was study
ing, weghn- thu memorable events of
the evening, recalling to mind every
word with the prilccss, reviewing her
features. the softeu.ue Of her cold dis
dain. now mentally lislrlstfnl because
ehc was IL woman, again confident he
already dominated lhc citadel OF her
heart.
The clear tinklng Of a bell broke in
upon his cogitation, n faint musical
sound that seemed at his very elbow.
He wheeled about abruptly, saw moth
ing save the mysterious shadows of the
curtains, the fickerhis lamps. the dark
outline of the canopy of the great bed.
Instinctively he knew lie WAS not alone,
and yet his gaze, RAPIDLY sweeping the
apart ment. failed 10 perceive an in
truder.
Again the tinklin-, low laugh. and.
turning sharply toward an alcoye from
whence the sounis came. the duke,
through the half light and trailing,
sombrous shadow OF rs entrance. per
ceived figure il q chair From can
die set in n spiked cnamcied stick q
yellow glimmcing that came and went
with the suffering dame rested upon
an ironical face, Il graceful figure III
motley and wand with the Jester 5
PLEASANT quizzcally regarded the sur
e prised nobleloan. who in spite Of his
self control had stepped back invoiGn
: tarily at the s.Gdeuness Of the cncoun
{ ter.
Good evening. my lord said th'
fool Il am Ike the genii of the tale
You think of me and appear
Reganing his composure at once, thu
S kings guest bent his heavy brows owe
n his deep set eyes and deliberately sur
veyed the fooi.
;. And now" went on the Jester gay
/ ly, at is in yolr mind am like as SUD
denly to-disappenr, Am l at fault:'
J. ION the contrary, you are unusuall
= clear witted.' was the answer.
"Oh, my lord. you overestimnte m
poor capacity." returned the noble
; tory gesture.
The hands Of the other worked impG
l. tiently. His hercuean figure blocke
u the doorway. You are merry f."
J. low" he observed. at is TO he regre
- ted. but-confcss you have brought
10 upon yourself"
D. What? My fate? Oh, yes" And l.
indiirercntly regarded the wand an
4 the wooden figure upon it without mo-
ing from the chair.
"a You have no fear" questioned Ii
'e duke quietly.
y Fear? Why should ~
Yawning. the fool stretched his arm
n looking not ut the nobleman, but b.
~ yOnd him, and iustinctively the pril
cess betrothed peered over his shou
ID der in the semidarkness behind, viii
er his hand quickly sought his sword.
"Fie. most noble duke eXclnimt
IL the Jester. I'VE have no eavesdroppe
is or interlopers. believe Inc. We are @
tirely alone you and |. master ar
IT. fool There, come no nearer. beg" ;
e. the nobleman lnenacingly moved t
ward him.
RI Have you any argument to advanc
Sir Fool, why l should not?" said Il
u. other grimly, a CLEAN OF amuscme
10! depicted on his broad face as he paus
the while.
IT, IAN argument sharp as need
somewhat longer" replied the jestt
N touching his breast and drawing FRO
70 between the folds OF his doublet shi
au ing hilt.
or Harsh and loud laughed the kins
10 guest. "You fool" he said, you III
w your opportunity below there in I
ne hall and missed It, You hesitated, we
." blindly another course. and now WI
ss ominOus meaning, you are here!'
ng Upon the stick a candle drippt
sputterod and went out. TIL, jest
IN
MS bent forward and with the copr
III. snuffer on the table near by der
ne trimmed the rema ming light.
"Only fools fight in darkness ne
to marked quietly, "and here Is but o
Of Of them"
,m You pit yourself and that-p''
on thing --against me?" asked the bu
soldier derisively.
ks Have you hunted the wild boar,
lord?" lightly answered the ON
rn- How mighty 1t Isl How saVa