Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-04

cause tne Wayf0rer to hesitdt0 Wneth'
er to tarry there or continue his Jour.
ney.
A glance at the pale face and unnat
urally bright eyes Of the girl brought
the Jester. however, to quick deci.
sion. Springing from his horse lie held
out his hand to assist her; but. over.
come by weakness or fatigue. she
would have fallen had he not sustain
ed her. Quickly she recovered and,
with faint flush mantling her white
cheek. withdrew from his grasp. while
mt the same time the landlord Of the
tavern came forward to welcome his
guests.
In appearance mine host wns round
and jovial. His bulk bespoke hearty
living. his rosy face reflected good
cheer, his stentorian voice free and
easy hospitality. His eyes constituted
the only setback to this general i'm.
preston Of friendlncss and fellow
feeling. They were small. twinkling
CLASSY.
Good even TO you. gentle folk" he
said. you tarry for the night, take
It,"
III you have suitable accommoda
tions." answered the Jester. reassured
by the mans aspect and manner.
1.-THE Rocks Haunt never yet turned
away n weary traveller" answered the
landlord. "Iou come from the pal.
aCe?
"Yes," briefly. as a lad led away their
horses.
"And have done well? Reaped har-
vest from the merry lords and ladies!'
'There were many others there for
that purpose" returned tue jester, fol.
lowing the proprietor to the door OF
the hosiery.
"True. Still I'll warrant your fair
companion cozened the silver pieces
from the pockets of the gentry" And,
smiling knowingly he ushered them
into the principal living room Of the
tavern.
1t was n smoke becrimed apartment
with tables next to the wall and rough
chairs and benches for the guests
Heavy pine rafters SPAWNED the cell
ing. The floor was sprinkled with
sand. From chain hung n wrought
iron frame for candles. Upon shelf q
row of battered tankards. suggesting
many bout. shone DULY. like line
Of war worn troopers, while great
pewter pitcher the worse for wear
commanded the disreputable array.
In this room was gathered a non
descript company mountebanks and
buffoons; rogues unclassifed, drinking
and dicing; robust vagrant. Mt whose
feet slept a performing boar with a
ring-badge of ervitude-through its
nose; black bearded, shaggy haired
Spanish troubadour with attire sc
ragged and worn ms to have lost Its
erstwhile picturesque characteristics
This last far from prepossessing
worthy half started from his seat upon
the appearance of fool and jestress
stared at them and then resumed his
, place and the ballad he had been sing
, ing.
2 Watching the nimhe fingers Of The
shabby minstrel with pitiabIy childish
. expression Of amusement, half i'm
beetle morio leaned upon the table. HI!
huge form-for he was giant among
Btalwart men-and his great moor
. shaped head made him at once an Oh
ject hideous and miserable to contem
plate. But the poor creature seemed
: unaware of his own deformities ant
smiled contentedly and patted thu
table caressingly to the sprighti!
rhythm.
Gazing upon this choice assemblage
lntc v,,A1,- crtc
that some of the curious and uncom
mon faces seemed familiar and tn
Il picture Of the Franciscan monk whom
y they had Overtaken on the road re
CURED to him. together with the mis-
u givings he had experienced upon part
ing from that canting knave. He hal
l. expected to see Nanette. to hear he
s voice, and was relieved that the gyps
u on this occasion did not make one @
the unwonted gathering. The land
lord, observing the fools discrimina'
ing gaze and reading something Q
l. what was passing in his mind. rea:
l. suringly motiOned the newcomers
e an unoccupied corner and by his mar
e. ner sought 20 allay such mistrnst n
s. the appearance of his guests was ca
'e culated to inspire.
& AS the darkness gathered withou
70 the merriment increased within. Owe
II the scene the dim light cast an unce
l. tain luster. lndefatigably the dicel
e pursued their pastime, with now an
" then an audible oath or muttered In
H. precation which beiied that docilit
mine host had boosted Of. The trOub
o. dour played and the morio yet Listened
CT Several Of group who had been SIM
ae ing now sat in sullen silence. SUDDEN
rt one Of them uttered broken sentenc
10. and his fellows Immediately turna
" their eyes toward the corner whe
co were fool and jestress. This ripple I
III interest did not escape the young girl
10 attention, who said uneasily:
"Why do those men look at u.s."
u zone Of them spoke to the others
az replied the jester. "He called attentid
60 to something"
a. "what do you suppose it WASP" 81
% asked curiOusly.
H. "Gladius gemmatus" ("Tbo jewel'
10 sword.")
Whence came the voice? Near Il
W. couple, In a shadow. sat woebegol
W looking man who had been holding
book 80 close to his eyes as to conce
GU Atc %onn No., -o.u,t<t oI Tho vO1uu