Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-11

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 possessed clerk-a knave who had
 killed an abbot and fled from the mon
 astery-a man of poetry, wit and sentl- l ment. Whenever the letters lacked 1 for ardor and the lovers had grown
 too timid, him sent to forge post i script or indite new missives, which the rogue did most prettily. having studied love making under the monks. And thus, Sir Fool, courted and won ! the princess-by proxy" "Of certainty, your wooing was at least novel. Sir Knight of the Vulture's Nest" dryly observed the jester Al though, had my master known the de- ception, you would perhaps have paid dearly for it.
 Your master, forsooth" laughed the outlaw lord. "A puny scion of a worn- out ancestry. Such woman as the princess wants q man of Drawn and muscle: no weakling of the nursery
 "Well,' said the fool slowly. you became intermediary between the prin- cess and the duke and the king and the emperor. But to come into the heart of France to the kings very palace-did you not fear detectiony
 How" retorted the other, raising his head and resting his eyes, blood shot and heavy. on the fools impas- sive features. ''The road between the tu-n prh he io m now pass. The emperor and the duke may wonder, but the way here is long, and'-with smile-'I have ample time for the enterprise ere the alarm can be given
 And you paved the way for your coming by altering the letters of the duke or forging new ones:" suggested the listener.
 How else? A word added here and there: postscript or even a page. As for their highnesses' seals, any fool can break and mend seal. In a week the duke will wonder at the princess silence; in fortnight he will become uneasy; in month he will learn the cage has been left open and the bird hath flown. Then. too. shall the gates of the. dungeon be set ajar, and the true but tardy messengers permitted to go their respective ways. Is 1t not a nice adventure: Am I not filter leader than your duke?'' Undoubtedly" returned the jester. "He sits at home, while you are here in his stead But what will the prin- cess say when she learns?' Nothing. She loves me already" The fool turned pale. The hand that held his glass. however, was firm. and he set the goblet down without tremor.
 "She may weep little. but it will pass like summer shower. Women are weak; women are yielding. Have I not reason to know?' he burst out. "T, a"--
 Brusquely he arose from his chair. leaving the sentence uncompleted. Stcrnly he surveyed the jester.
 "Why not take the service with me!'' he continued abruptly. Austria is ripe to revolt against the tyranny of the emperor. With the discomfort in the Netherlands. the dissensions in Spain. Europe is like field, cut up, awaiting newcomers"
 He paused to allow the force of his words to appeal to the others imagina- tion. What say you:" he continued. twill you serve me?'
 "The matters worth thinking Over," answered the fool evasively.
 "Well. take your time.', said the kings guest. regarding him more sharply. And now. as the candles are low and the flask is empty, you had better take your leave.' At this intimation that the other con sidered the interview ended the fool started to his feet and deliberately made his way to the door opening into the corridor.
 Good night" he said. and was about to depart when the free baron held him with word.
 Hold. Why have you not attempt ed to unmask me befOre!
 Steadily the two looked at each oth- CT, the eyes of the elder man cruel, deep. ail observing. those of the youn- ger steady. fearless. undismnyed. Few of his troopers could withstand the sinister penetration of Louis of Hoch- fels' gaze. but on the jester it seemed to have no more effect than the casual glance of one of Francis courtiers. You knew. and yet you made no signr- continued the master of the fortress.
 Because I like strong play and did . not wish to spoil it-too soon-" The ,iueStioner's brow fell: the lids half yelled the dark. savage eyes. but the mouth relaxed. -Ah. you always have your anSwer." he returned. with apparent cu.eiality. Good night. and, by the bye our truce is at an end" "The truce-ahd the wine" said the jester as. with . cerem6niogs bow. he vanished amid the shadows in the hall Slowly the free baron closed the door and locked if. looked at the cross and at the bed. hut made no motion toward either.
 He has already rejected my propos- al" thought .he self styies, duke "Does he seek for higher rewards by betray- ing me: Or is it. then. TrfbouIet told the truthE Is he an aspiring lover of the princess. or is be only faithful to