The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-15

ing with anguish. Clifton helped
him into the house and, after giving
him into the hands of his valet. re-
turned to the garden for q smoke be-
for retiring. In the drawing room
Amy's parents were playing bridge
double dummy-and as there was no
sight of Amy or Ralph Lane. Clifton
concluded that they were still at the
fountain.
| He turned the other way and went
into the rose garden which was Mr..
Roots hobby. In the center, by the
sun dial, stood a slender. plant. white
clad form.
! 1t was Amy Pond. her elbows on
the stone face of the dial. her eyes
hidden in her hands Ralph Lane
had disappeared.
! At the sound of Clifton's step on
the path the girl lifted her head and
looked at him. "Oh-it is your she
said in peculiar tone.
THE kings tester-and the hum
BILE subject of your royal highness."
he bowed with mock humility.
! You heard!" she cried contritely.
II have heard it so many times
before he laughed.
But why-why do you do it?''
You mean. why do l play the
fool?"
Yes" she retorted as abruptly.
For money!"
| Amy drew back. you mean-you
actually mean that you toady to my
uncle and amuse him in order that he
| may-that you might-oh, it is too hor-
rible to mention!'
| In order that he may change his will
in my favor?" asked the young man
to leaving all their wealth to the court
fool 1 am afraid you are prejudiced.
Miss Pond; and you could hardly I'M
derstand my real reason"
| Amy's head was bent over the sun
dial and her slim forefinger was tracing
the carved legend around the face.
This says, L am as true as the sum- I"
said the girl. suddenly lifting her head.
Clifton smiled wistfully at her. Sup
pose I were to tell you that that Is
my mottO?" he asked.
1T could not be-under the circum-
stances" she retorted.
You mean in my role Of the king
jester?"
Yes. You are not true to yourself
when you are bartering your manliness
for the ignob.e role of fool. hoping to
derive worldly riches. Oh, cannot be-
lieve you! I don't believe a word Of
what you say!" she cried, and disap-
peared toward the house.
Leslie Clifton leaned against the sun
dial and looked down at the stone face.
His finger touched several damp spots
on it's surface.
"Tears!" he murmured incredulously.
THE darling!"
The next morning Miss Pond pleaded
headache and did not appear at break
fast, SO it is no wonder that when her
uncle's physician arrived for his weekly
consultation with his rich patient, Amy
sought Rim cut and took the celebrated
specialist for a walk in the secluded
rose garden.
II cannot believe there is anything
the matter with you, Miss Amy" pro-
through his spectacles.
Il am 6ying-dying Of curiosity.
Physician, can you cure that disease?"
she asked with a quavering laugh that
revealed heartache to the great spe-
cialist.
Perhaps | can find remedy he
said guardedly. 4f-.,.-< -ss
Then. tell me, Dr. Weems, do you
know why Leslie Clifton engaged him..
self to my uncle as secretary? His
whole purpose in life seems to be to
amuse Uncle Jasper-to make him
laugh-and-and-'
Forget his pain," finished the doc
tor quietly.
1T sounds SO silly" said Amy
weakly.
1T sounds noble to me-to us who
know that Clifton has left his own
PIdCllCc III Cn1cdSO 10 your uncle
out of his slough of. dependency, to
give him new life, new views of life.
and to leave him with fresh grip ON
the remaining years that may be
his. DR.. Clifton is a valued colleague
of mine. He will get nothing out of
Mr.. Root pays him and the knowledge
that he may use in other cases. That
was the understanding when he at
tempted your uncle's cure. Mr.. Root
believes Clifton to be a happy hearted
voungster without a care on his mind.
know him to be hard working physi-
clan, whose special study is nerves. and
who will stoop to any means to broaden
his knowledge. Next week he will leave
Mr.. Jasper Root. cured.''
Amy was sobbing. "Oh, DIR. Weems,
1 have done him such an injustice"
Then now is a good time to ask his
forgiveness" snapped the specialist, as
he beckoEed to Leslie Clifton and
promptly effaced himself from the rose
garden.
Leslie looked at the girls bowed.
sunny head, and his heart contracted.
He laid his firm white hand ON the
silken coils. and when she had lifted
her drenched eyes and looked at him
she promptly hid her face in her
hands
Leslie smiled tenderly. The kings
Jester would have speech with her
royal highness. the princess he said.
"Yes?" she quavered.
What would YOU say If the court
fool confessed himself in love with the
kings daughter?''
Il would say that-that the cap and
bells are but masks to hide the noble
man behind the TESTERS Dress she
whispered.
And would you say anything more? ?"
he whispered.
Il would say that I could love the
man behind the mask and forgive him
for being a jester because he Is so
much more a man,
Il am true as the SUM-
You are truer!" whispered Amy.