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10 THE BURI TNGTON FREE PRESS : THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1905. Under By FREDERIC S. ISHAM, Anther el 'The Strollers" Copyright. IMS. by the BOWEN-MERRILL COMPANY C'HAl'TEIl X. IS the duke's fool suddenly ap- pen red In the erowded apart ment the hubbub abruptly ceased. The minstrel and mountebank gar.ed In surprise at the lender figure of the alien Jester whose rich garments proclaimed hltn a per sonage of Importance, one who had reached that pinnacle In buffoonrry, the high oBire of court plalsant. The gypsy, too, looked at him over her shoulder, offering blm the full sight of her bold check and shameless ryes. "Are you Nanette, wife of thla phi losopher?" asked the duke's fool, ap proaching and indicating the misera ble scamp who clung near the door way as one undecided whether to en ter or run away. "Yes, I am Nanette. his true nnd lawful spouse," "lie answered, with a shrill laugh. "But what would you here, fool? A song, n Jest, a dance, or bare you come to learn a new story or ballad for thp lordlings you must en tertain?" Vnabashed, she approached step near. "Your stories, mistress, would ba unsulted for the court, nnd your bal lads best unsung," be retorted. "I rame. not to sharpen my wits, but to learn from whom tbo tblef friar got the small piece of silver you gave your eonsort, and also to procure a horse." Her bMsren. eyes wavered. "A horse and a foil flying," she muttered. "Even what the card showed. The fool seeklag the duke" A puzzled look crossed her face. "But the duke is bere," she continued to herself. "A fee( riddle. All the signs show dev Ilw.nt. bet what It Is" "Good Nanette." interrupted the jest r satirically. "I haru no time for spelts or inc'.tation. "Wi-vr dared you come here," she said hoarsely, "after" "After you:1 mate proved but nn In different servant of yours?" he con eluded, meeting her sullen gaze with one so stern and inflexible that before it her eyes full. "Po you know," she said, endeavor ing to mnintain a hardened front, "1 have but to say the word and all these friends of mine would tour you te ploccs? What would you do, my pret ty fellows, 1 ask you?" she cried out, her voice rising audaciously, "Would you suffer thla duke's Jester to stam) against me?" Glances of suspicion and animosity shot from a score of eye, lists wcr half clinched, knive appeared in a trice from the concealment of rags and "Are tou Jtfaneftrf" low murmur arose from the gather ing. An expression of disgust replaced 11 other fesling on the features of tlx duke's plalsant. "Spars me your threats, Nanette,' he replied coldly. "Had you intended to set tbem on me you would have dsns it lone ere this." The woman hesitated. Sometbint about him was it dignity or pride oi a nameless fear she herself experienc ed, but could not understand? beal down her eyes, and sho turned their "There it Ts again," murmured th woman, bending over tbe bits of paste board on the table. "The duke, hern And the fool n horseback'. What d the cards mean V" "That I must have the horse, Na' nette," said the duke's Jester, standing motionless and Arm beforo the fire place. "Are you the fool?" she asked, raori to herself thsn him. "Why does hi wish to ride away?" Will you sell me the horse?" he ds mnnded, "Sell you the horse? For what?' asked the gypsy. "For live gold pieces." "A fool with five gold pieces!" shi exclaimed incredulously. "Here! You may see them." An he opened a purse ho carried at hit girdle. "Do not let them know," she salt hurriedly. "Tbey would kill you and"- "Tou wotdd not get the money," hi added significantly. , "If you act quick ly, find me a horse and let me go; it li you. sot they, who will profit." Abruptly she rose. "It is fate," shi remarked, bar eyes greedy. His glance as bo stood there, proud and stern, cut her sharply. "Say cu pidity, Nanette!" he laughed softly. "It Is more profitable not to betray me. In tbe one case you get much, In tbe other little." "Btay here," she replied hastily; "IT fetch the horse." and she vanished. A moment be remained, then, reso lutely turning to tbe door tbrougb which sbe bad disappeared, opened il ud round himself lu a combined sleep l ing room and stable, a dark apartment with floor of hardened earth and a sin gle window open to wind and weather. the Rose On ii . - .,mi lui- wniuou nn. bered and snored the false Francises monk. Ky his side wss a tankard hu filled with stale sack, and in bis hat he clutched a gold piece as though I. had had an intimation It would 1 afer there than elsewhere on his pr son during the pot valiant sleep be hi deliberately courted. His bond h, fallen back, displaying a bullet hen red cheeks and purple ucst, while I. wooden beads of this snttlidi counte feit of a friar trailed from bis gird on the ground. From a stall In a fi corner a large, bony looking nag turnt its head reproachfully, ns If mental! protesting against such foul quartui and the poor company they offered. Why. heres a holy man worn or by miiny paternosters." commented tl: duke's fool, standing on the thresholi and then gn.ed from the cold piece Ii the man's hand to the woman. "I nee not ask where you got the silver, Nn nette. 'TIs a chain of evidence lending where?" The gypsy replied only with darl looks, regarding his intrusion lu till Inner sanctuary as a fresh provocatloi for her Just displeasure. Crossing t' the cunch he shook the monk vigorous ly, hut the hitter only held his piece ol money tighter, like n miser whost treasure Is threatened, and snored th louder. Again the fool essayed tt waken him. and this time he opener his eyes, felt for his beads and com menced to mutter a prayer In T.utii. words strung together in meaningless phrases. "Why," commented the Jester. "lib learning is as false as his cloak. Wakl up. sirrah' Would you approach heav en's gate with a feigned prayer or your Hps and a toss pot in your hand?' 'Chrlstc ttium I absolve you! I absolve you!" muttered the friar. "Go your way In peace!" "Hear me. thou fumped up monk! Do you want another piece or goiur "Gold!" repeated the other tipslly. What what for? To-to help some fool to paradise cr purgatory? 'TIs for the church beg. good people. The holy church ehurrti, I say!" Winking and blinking, seeing noth ing beforo him. he held out a trem bling hand. "The piece of gold! Give it to me!" he mumbled. 'Yes: in exchange for your cloak." answered the jester. "My cloak, tho:: horse leech! Sell my skin for -piece of gold! Want my cloak? Take it!" And the dissembler rolled over, extending bis arms. The jester grasped the garment by the sleeves and with some difficulty whip ped it from him. Now hand nie-the money and cov er me with rags that -I may sleep," continued tho beer bibber. "So" as he grasped the money the fool gave him and stretchen himself luxuriously be neath a noisome litter of castoff clothes and rubbish "I Inugulsh In ec stasies! The angels are singing around roe." With growing surprise and il! humor had t no woman observed this novel proceeding, and now, when the Jester bad himself donned the false friar's gown, she to id grudgingly: You did not give hiin one of the five pieces?" "No: there are still five left." "A hit of gold for a cloak!" she grumbled. "It is overmuch But there" unfastening a door that looked out upon the field "give me the money and be gone." He grasped the bridle of the horse, handed her the promised reward and, drawing the hood of the monk's gar ment over ills head, led the nag out into the open nlr. The door closed quickly behind him. and he beard the wooden bolt as it shot into place. Above the dark outlines of the forest the moon, full orbed, now shone In the sky with a myriad attendant stars, its silver beams Hooding the open spaces and revealing every detail, soft, dreamy, yet distinct. A languorous, red olent air Just stirred the waving grain, on which rested a glossy shimmer. As the fool was about to spring upon tbe horse n shadow suddenly appeared around the corner of the house, and tbe animal danced aside in affright. Before the Jester could quiet and mount tbe nng fhe shadow resolved itself into n man, nnd behind him came a mi morons band, the piny of light on hel met, sword and dagger revealing them as a party of troopers. Doubtless, hav Ing Indulged freely, they had become inclined to new adventures, and ac cordlngly had bent their footsteps to ward the "little house on the verge of tbo wood," where merry compsny was always to be found. At the sight of the duke's fool nnd the horse they pressed forward and, with one accord surrounded him. "The Franciscan monk!" cried one. "Where Is lie going so lato with the nag?" asked another. "He's off to confess some one," ex claimed a third. "A petticoat, most likely, the rogue!" rejoined the second speaker. "Well, what have we to do with bis love affairs?" laughed the first trooper, "Ride on, good fnther, and keep tryst," "Yes, ride on!" the others called out. The monk bowed. An interruption which had promised to defeat bta de signs seemed drawing to a harmless conclusion. His hopes ran high; tbe soldiers bad not yet penetrsted be neath the costume; he had already dc termiiicd to leap upon tbe horse in a rush for freedom when a heavy, de talnlng band was laid on bis shoulder. "One moment, knave!" said a deep voice, and, wheeling sharply, tbe fool looked into tbe keen, ferret eyes of the trooper with the red mustache. "I have a question to ask. Have you done that which you were to do?" Tbe friar nodded bis assent. "Tbe fool will trouble the duke no more," be answered. "Ah, he Is" began the soldier. "Even so. And now pra let nit "Tes, let bltn pm!" urged one of the soldiers. "Would you keep some long ing trollop waiting?" The leader of tbe troopers did not answer; his glance was bent upon the ground. "Yes, you may go," he com mented, "when" nnd suddenly thrust forth an arm and pulled back the en shrouding cloak. "The duke's fool!" he cried. "Close in. rogues! Let him not escape!" Fiercely the fool's hand sought his breast; then, swiftly realising that it needed but a pretext to bring about the end desired by the pretender in the castle, with an effort bo restrained himself and confronted his assailants, outwardly calm. "'TIs a poor Jest which falls," he said easily. ".Testl" grimly returned he of the red mustaches. "Call you it a Jest, this monk's disguise? Once on the horse, it would have been no Jest, and I'll warrant you would soon have left the castle far behind. Yes. nnd but for the cloven foot tbe Jest, an you call It. would have succeeded too. Had it not been." he added, "for the pointed silken shoe peeping out from beneath the holy robe, n covering of vanity In stead of holy nakedness, you would certainly bavo deceived me and" with a brusque laugh "slipped away from your master, the duke." "The clukc?" said the Jester as, cast ing the now useless cloak from him, he flellherately scrutinised the rogue. "The duke," returned tbe man stolid ly. "Well, this spoils our sport for to night, knaves." he went on, turning to the other troopers, "for we must, e'eu escort tbo Jester back to the csstle." "Beshrew blm!" they answered of one accord. "A plague upon blm!" And slowly the fool and the soldiers began to retrace their way across the moonlit fieMs, the trooper with the red mustaches grumbling as they went: "Such luck to turn back now, with all those madcaps right under our nose! A curse to a dry march over a dusty meadow I An unsanctlfled dog of a monk! 'TIs like a campaign with naught bnt ditch water to drink. The deuce take the friar and the Jester! Forward, the fool in the center and those he would bavo fooled around him!" And when they disappeared In the distance the gypsy woman might have been seen leaving the hous by tbe stable door and leading In the horse. CHAPTER XI. ETWEEN Caillette and tho duke's Jester had arisen one of those friendships which spring more from similitude than each unlikouess. an amity of which had been unconscious In Its in ception, but which had gradually grown Into a sentiment of comrade ship. Caillette was of noble mien, graceful manner nnd elegant address, a soldier by preference, n jester against his will, forced to tbe office by the no bleman wbo had cared for and educat ed him. In the duke's fool he had found bis other self, a man wbo, like himself, lent dignity to the gentle art of Jesting. Moreover, Caillette experienced a su perior ssdnesx. sifted through years of infesttvlty nnd gloom, beginning when Diane was led to the altar by the grand seneschni of Normandy, that threw on actual, albeit cynical, inter est about the love tragedy of the duke's fool which the other divined and, from his own past heart throbs, understood The plalsant to the princess' betrothed, Caillette would have sworn, was of gentle birth. Hh face, manner and bearing proclaimed It. lie was also a scholar and n poet. His courage, which Caillette divined, fitted him for the higher office of arms. Certainly lie be came an interesting companion, nnd the French Jester songht ids company on every occasion. And this fellowship or Intimacy which he courted was des tined to send Cnlllette forth on a strange and adventuresome mission. The day following the return of the duke's fool to the castle, Francis, who early in his reign had sought to model his life after the chivalrous romances, inaugurated a splendid nnd ponipoui tournament. The king rode from the castle undei a pavilion of cloth of gold and purple velvet, with the letters F and K boldly outlined, followed by ladles and court iers, pages and attendants. Amid the shouts and lnizr.HH of the people the monarch and his retinue took theii places in the center of the stand, the royal box hung with ornate brocade and trimmings. In nn Inclosure of white next to thai of the king wero seated tbe lady of tbe tournament, the 1'rlncess Louise, aud her mslds of honor, arrayed all Id snowy garb, and against the garish brilliancy of the general background, a pompous pageantry of colors, the deco ration of this dainty nook shone In sil very contrast. A gsrland of floweri Was tho only crown the lady wore. Behind her, motionless as a statue, "Bon Voulotrl Bon Voulolr I" with faee that looked paler and llpi tbe redder and hair tbe blacker, stood tbe maid Jacqueline. If the casus gltfoee saw first the blood bead, tbi creamy aim and tunny blue eyes ol the princess, tt iaa apt to linger with almost a start of wonder upon thi striking figure of tbe Jestreis, a noc turnal touch In a pearly picture. "Or my word, there's a decorative creature for any lord to bare In his house," Murmured the aged chancel lor of the kingdom, sitting near thi plained the willing courtier, "tbe only ones left In It were an old gamekcepet nnd his daughter, ft gypsy-tike maid who ran wild In the woods. Tlmo hath tamed her somewhat, but there she stands." "And what sad memories of n noble but unfortunate gentleman clustci around her!" muttered the chancellor "Alas for our brief hour of triumph and favor! Yesterday was he great; I. nothing. Today what am I, while lie Is nothing." A great murmur, resolving Itself lnt sbou(s and resouudlng outcry, inter rupted the noble' reminiscent mood monarch. "Who is she?" "A beggar's brat Francis found here when be took the castle," replied the berlbboned spark addressed. "Yor know the story?" "Yes," said tbe white haired dlplo mat half sadly. "This castle once be longed to the great constable of Du brols. When he fell from favor the king besieged him. Tbe coustablo fled and died in Spain. That much, of course, I and the world know. But the girl"- "Wben our victorious monarch took possession of this ancient pile," ex es a thickset figure In ricbly chased armor, mounted on a massive horse, crossed the arena. "Bon Voulolr!" they cried. "Bon Vouloir!" It was the name assumed by tbe free baron for tho day, while other knlghls were known for the time be ing by such euphonious nnd chivalrous appellations ns Valllant Desyr, Bon Espolr or Coeur Loyal. Bon Voulolr upon this popular demonstration rein ed his steed and, removing his head covering, bowed reverently to the king uud bis suit, deeply to tbe lady of the tournament and her retinue and care lessly to the vociferous multitude, aft er which he retired to a large tent ot crimson and gold set apart for his con venience nnd pleasure. From the purple box the monarch bad nodded graciously, and from tbe silver bower the lady bad smiled soft ly, so that the duke had no rensou for dissatisfaction. Tiie attitude of the crowd was of small moment, an un musical accompaniment to tbe potent pantomime, of which the principal fig ures were Francis, the King Arthur of Europ?. nnd the princess, queen of beauty's unbounded realm. In front of tho duke's pavilion was bung his shield, nnd by Its side stood bis squire, fancifully dressed In rich colors. Near the duke's pavilion, to the right, had been pitched a commodious tent of yellow material, with ropes of the same color and a fool's cup crowniug tbe pole in place of the customary banner. Over the entrance were suspended the jester's gilded wund and a staff, from wblcb hung a blown bladder. Here were quartered the court Jesters whom , Francis had commanded to be fittingly attired for the lUts and to take part in the general combat. At tne entrance of the pavilion stood Caillette, who bad watched the passing of Bon Vouloir and now was gasing upward into a s-.i of faces from whence came a hum of voices like the buzzing of unnui.'liered bees. "Cortes," lie commented, "the king makes much of this unmannered, lumpish, beer drinking noble wbo Is going to wed tbe princess." "Caillette," said the low voice of the duke's Jester at his elbow, "would you see a woman undone?'' "Why, nion ami," lightly answered the French fool, "who is the woman'" "The Prinetss Louise'." Caillette glanced from the place where he stood to the renter of the stand nnd the white bower, Inclining from which was a woman, haughty, fair, beautiful, one whose face attract ed the attention of the multitude nud who seemed not unhappy In being thus scrutinized and admired. Shaking Ills bead slowly, the court poet dropped his eyes and studied the sand at his feet. "She looks not wrouged," he said dryly. "She appears to enjoy her tri umphs." "And yet. Caillette, 'tis all a farce," answered the duke's jester. "So have I thought on other occa sions." And again his gaze flew upward, uot, however, to the lady whom Francis bad gallantly chosen for queen of beauty, but, devpite his alleged cynicism, to a corner of the king's own box, whore sat she who had once been a laughing maid by his side and with whom be bad played that diverting pastoral call ed "First Uive." It was only an in stant's return into the farcical but Joy ous past, and a moment later he was sharply recalled iuto the arid present by the words of his companion. "The man the Princess I.onlso is go ing to marry Is no more Robert, tbe duko of Frledwald, than you are!" ex claimed the foreign fool. "He is Louis of I'falz-Urfeld. the so called free baron ot Hochfels. His castle commands the road between the true duko and Fran els' domains. He made himself mas ter of oil tha correspondence, conceived the plan to come here himself, aud in tends to carry ofT the true lord's bride. Indeed, in private he has acknowledged It all to me, and, failing to corrupt mc to his service, last night set an assas sin to kill me." His listener, with folded arms and attentive m'len, kept his eyes fixed steadily uoon the narrator as If be doubted the evidence of his senses Without, tho marshals bad taken their places lu tbe lists, and another stcn torlan dlisouance greeted these officers of tho field from tbo good humored gathering, which, basking in the an tlcipatlon of the feast they knew would follow the pageantry, clapped their bands and flung up their caps at the least provocation for rejoicing. Upon the two jesters this scene of jubilation waa lost, Caillette merely bending clog er to tbe other, with: "But why have you not denounced blm to tbe king!" "Because of my foolhardlnesa in tac Itly accepting at first this freebooter as my master." Caillette shot a keen glance at tbe other and smiled. His eyes said "Foolbardlnessl Was It not rather aoruo other emotion? Hid not tbe princess leased more tbaa graciously toward ber betrothed tnd" "I thought blm but some flimsy ad venturer," went on the duke's fool hastily, "and told myself I would sec tbe play played out, holding tho key to tbe situation und" -"You underestimated hlmV" "Exactly. His plans were cunningly laid, nnd now who am I that the king should listen to me? At best, If I denounce blm, they would probably consider it n bit of pleasantry or mad ness." "Yes," reluctantly assented Caillette. Trlboulct's words, "a fool In love with the princess!" recurring to blm, "11 would be undoubtedly even as you say." Tbe duke's Jester looked down thoughtfully. He bad only half ex pressed to the French plalsant the doubts which had assailed blm since bis Interview with Louis of Hochfels. Who could read the minds of mon- nrchs, the motives actuating tbem? Should he be able to convince Francis of tbe deception practiced upon him, was it altogether unlikely that the king might not he brought to condone the offense for the sake of an alliance with this Louis of Pfslr-Urfeld and the oth er unconquerable free barons of the Austrian border against Charles him self? The voice of Caillette broke in upon his thoughts. "You will not, then, attempt to de nounce him?" The fool hesitated. "Alone-out of favor with tho king, I like not to risk the outcome but if I may depend upon you" "Did ever friend refuse such a call?" exclaimed Caillette promptly. A quick glance of gratitude flashed from the other's eyes. "There is one flaw in tbe free baron's position," resumed the duke's fool more confidently. "A fatal one 'twill prove if It is possible to carry out my plans. He thinks the emperor is in Austria, nnd his followers guard tbe road through tin) mountains. He tells him self not only are tbe emperor and tbe Duke of Frledwald too far distant to hear of the pretender and interiors with the nuptials, but that, be obviates even the contingency of their learning of that matter at all by controlling the way through which the messengers must go. Thus rests he in double se curitybut an imaginary one." "What mean you?" asked Caillette attentively, from his manner giving fuller credence to the extraordinary news he bad Just learned. "That Charles, the emperor, is not In . Austria, but in Aragon. at Saragossa, where he can bo reached In time to prevent the marriage. Just before my leaving, the emperor, to my certain knowledge, secretly departed for Spain on matters pertaining to the governing of Aragon. Charles plays a deep game lu the affairs of Europe, though he works ever silently and unobtrusively. Is he not always beforehand with your j king? When Francis was preparing i the gorgeous Field of the Cloth of Gold for his English brother, did not Cbarle quietly leave for the little islo aud there, without beat of drum, arrange his own affairs beforo Henry was even seen by your pleasure loving monarch? Yes; to tbe impostor and to Frauds, Charles is in Austria; to us for now you share my secret is he in Spain, where by swift riding bo may be found and yet interdict in this matter." "Then why haven't you ere this fled to the emperor with the news?" "Last night I bad determined to get away, when first I was assaulted by an assassin of tbe Impostor and next detnined by his troop and brought back to the castle. I had even left on foot, trusting to excite less suspicion, and hoping to tlnd a horse on tho way, but fortune was with the pretender. So here am I, closely watched and wait ing," he added grimly. The indifference faded from Cail lette's faee nnd almost a boyish en thusiasm shone in his eyes. "Mon ami, I'll do it!" be exclaimed lightly. "I'll rldo to the emperor fot you." Silently tbe Jester of tbe duke wrung bis band. "I've long sighed for nn ad venture," laughed Caillette, "and her is tbe opportunity. Caillette, a knight errant! Hut," bis faee falling, "tbs emperor will look on me as a mad man." "Nay," replied the duke's plalsant. "here is n letter. When he reads it he will at least think tbe affair worth consideration. He knows me nnd trusts my fidelity and will be assured I would not jest on such n serious mat ter. Believe me, he will receive you as more than a madman." "Why. then, 'twill be a rare adven ture," commented tbe other, "wander ing In tbe country tbe beautiful coun try, where I Mas reared away from the madness of courts. Already I heat the wauton breezes Blgblng in Sapphic BoftnesM nnd the forests' elegiac mur mur. Tell me, how shall I ride?" "As u knight to the border, thenct onward as a minstrel. In Spain therc't always n welcome for a blithe sluger." " 'Tis fortunate I learned some Spau Jsb love songs from a fair senora whe was in Charles' retiuue tho time be vis ited Francis," added Caillette. "An 1 should fall?" he continued more grave ly. "You will not fall," was the confident reply. "I am of your mind, but things wli: happen sometimes. And wby do yot not spenk to the princess herself tc warn her" "Speak to her!" repeated tho duke'i jester, n shadow on his brow. "When he has appealed to ber, perhaps when" He broke off abruptly, nil tone was proud, in bis eyes a look which Cnlllette afterward understood As It was, the latter nodded bis head wisely. "A woman whose fancy Is touched Ii what sho is," he commented gener ally. "Truly it would be a more thank less task even than approaching tbt king. But, look you, there's anotbei channel to the princess' mind, yondei black browed maid, our ally in motley when she chooses to wear it Jacquo line." "Sbe likes roe not," returned the fool. "Would sho bellevo me In auch nn Im portant matter?" "I'm afrnld not," tranquilly replied Caillette, "In view of tbe improbability of your tale and the undoubted creden tials held by this pretender. For m part, to look at tbe fellow was almost enough. But to tbe ladies his brutality elgniiletb strength and power and bit uuY'putbueis originality and genius. We are fools, you and I, .and love, my friend, Is Nit broad farce at tbe best." Kvsu as he spoke thus, however, from tbe lists came the voices of the well in structed heralds, secretaries of tho oc casion, who bad delved deeply Into the practices of the merry and ancient pastime: "Love of Is die! For you aud fclory! Chivalry but fights for love. Look down, fair eyes!" a peroration which waa answered with ninny pieces of silver from the galleries above and which the gorgeously dressed officials readily unbent to gather. Among the fair hands which rewarded this per functory apostrophe to the tender pas sion none was more lavish In offerings than those matrons and maids In the vicinity of tbe king. A satirical smile again marred Calllatte's fare, but ha kept bis reflections to himself, revert ing to the business of the moment. "I should be off at once!" he cried. "But what can wo do? Tim king bath commanded all the Jesters to appear In the tournament today, properly armed and armored, tho better to make sprlgbtller sport amid the ponderous pastime of the knights. Here am I bound to shine on horseback, willy nllly. Yet this matter of yours Is press Ing. Slay! I have it. I can e'en fall from my horse, by a ruse, retire from the field and fly southward." "Then will I wish you godspeed now," snid the duke's fool. "Never wss a stancher heart than thine, Cail lette, or a truer friend." "One word," returned the other, not without a trace of feeling which even bis cynicism could not hide. "Beware of the false duko In the arena! It will be bis opportunity to" "I understand," answered the duke's fool, again warmly pressing Caillette' hand, "but with the knowledge you are fleeing to Spain I have no fear for the future. If we meet not after today" - "Why, life's but a span, and our friendship has been short, but sweet," added the other. Now without sounded a flourish of trumnets. nnd ererv slnnm I firci mini,, ii iiiiiii-ii Hum iue cjroTvii- ed maim, a wmi n cmiier oi noois nnu waving of nlumes France's voiinir ehlv- nlry dashed into tbe lists, divided Into two parties, took their respective 1 places and, at a signs! from the mu sicians, started impetuously against one another. I CHAPTER XII. fjJ YlN' t,,nt flrst "joyous nnd gentle! LZIAJ Passage of arms," wherein the weapons were those "of courtesy," their points cov ered with small disks, several knights broke their lances fairly, two horse men of the side wearing red plumes became unseated, and their opponents, designated as the "white plumes," swept on Intact. "Well doue," commented the king from his high tribunal us the squires and attendants began to clear the llst. assisting the fallen belligerents to their tents. "We shall have another such memorable, field as that ot Ashhy-de-la-Zouch." Event followed event, and those j court ladles who at flrst had professed their nerves were weaker than their foremothcrs' now watched tbe arena with sparkling eyes, no longer turning away at the thrilling moment of con tact. Taking their cue from the king, they were lavish In praise and gener ous in approval, and at an unusual ex hibition of skill the stand grew bright with waving scarfs and handkerchiefs. Simultaneous with such an animated demonstration from the galleries would come a roar of approval from the peas antry below, crowded where best they could And places, bespeaking for their part likewise an increasing lust for the stirring pastime. In truth the only dlssatlfled onlook ers were tho quick fingered spoilers nud rovers who, packed as close as dried dates in a basket by the irre- j sistthlo forward press of the people, found themselves suddenly occupation less, without power to move their arms or ply their bands, j "Ha," muttered the scamp student to his good spouse, "here are all the jolly i boys Immersed to their nocks, like prisoners buried In the sand by the Arabs!" "Hush!" she whispered warnlngly. "See you yonder the duke's fool. Ho wears the arms of Charles, the em peror." "And there's the Duke of Friedwald himself," answered the ragged scholar. "lio, ho! Look (if Trihnulct!" "Look! The Jesters are going to fight. They have nrrauged them in two par ties. Half of them g with the duko and bis knights, the other half with bis lordship's opponents." "But tho duke's fool by chance Is set against his master," she mumbled sig nificantly. "Call you it chance?" be said in a low voice, and Nanette nudged him angrily in the side with her elbow so that he cried out. and attention would havo been called to them but for a ripple of laughter which started on the edge of tbe crowd and was taken up by tbe serried ranks. "Ho, ho! Look at Trlboulct!" shout ed tbe delighted populace. "Ah, the droll fellow!" All eyes were now bent to the arena, where, on a powerful iisr. sat perched tbe misshapen Jester. With whip and npur be was vehemently plying a horse that stubbornly stood us motionless us iwrven stoue. Thinking at tbe last mo ment of a pla for escape from tbe dangerou features of tbe toiruey, the hunchback bad bribed one of tbe at tentats to fetch biB a steed wblcb for sullen obduracy surpassed any charger in tbe king's stables. Fate, be was called because nothing could wove or change him, and now, with bead pushed forward and ears thrust bark, be proved UfajaelC beneath tbe .1 11.. I nxriii.,1 riij,r. unri ,, v nr Tina niinnii tlnn, till. e ill tfif nnnninllr iint'i-i rift? art "Wt hpflttl ! tTflhnnfiV fntftf U'hnti Kr!i . i MIC II lILlllllk Llli: Lil.lL J lillll let! If not dentlnorl to ncore kucccm wit l.t.i 1 ..,a 41. ,!...... .a i a i i ii wuiuiv uiivuKu him uuiniwii niiuaiio II IMI inuuy rtiLi I nil lllillf'n HHKUfc II 4l.A in 1.. At iikiiiii'.p. i ne nuiiur inn in iiuinur. 11 ... 1.1m ..U,.IL.tt.. ..I a I trwiti i f sh 4Ua il IminnMnf trmtit rt lite : ur to worst t!io dukcH fool, nnd uppietuuru lilt; iuun:iMn iitiir bihjii I AJk 41 .,Ai.tr. 41. ..I in it. wn vi ii it n in n i in n. nt uuu n hit w n iiui oniFi o c fL nr. j- nui v. in aesna bin hmnlfi felt to his nli1o. Hut In bis benrt hv said. "It Is well. I I 11.. I . . I At J" afar." inn iiimn nnn niu in nn'iira nnn a nw r nn rn thai uiiici sir t in nv r Hero bovrod the squirt-, adjusting Ktnnri thi himlflK- trumtiPtorH nnd nn BtilvautR in their bright garb of ot!i iiiifin fic-ui trnnii ii ii 'inn i unrr in it ll.i: l Il.T'lBIIV'l Mia I'm v day's cntortalnment. The king, fearing for the safely ment of the marrhigc ahould any I - " laughed boisterously at the mo R,ih', finr, nnrl tvfttn he wnuM hren lnnrn for ins lnnviove mat na LivinrU Inn cillnnf n l:nh?lit niuise lo lniprnnife Tiiriiipr nmeeuun lu uu a alt ons of the lints, thereupon Iiad 0 dered the best ebni-urr In Ills Ktiiblcs enh-i iifi rnmwi Mini !i-iiin iirrifii!(i it approbation upon the appearance the rtuke in the run?. Hut at least OI narann in t nn T viur nsoinnmi-p plalsant mood. i. Til., minri n Tin, riuirn.1 Trim 11 ...iAn lt.ni. tin fl. .In linlin.-J ,n now wero ins erannons ai iiicrti-iiiii he a gallant noble he a swaggerer. Kven as the irony of the dem jnstr lion fiwept uer wie jeswr irum iiun fell n llower white ns tho box fro whence it was wafted. Downward fluttered, a messenger of amity, like uove to u s enu it et. Aim wmi tne vor went a smllp from the lady or t tl.... ,1.. ...I.lln Tn.. '..ii!nl. t,n there, the symbol in his hand :md t nntiiniiso rinL'inir in i.is ears. ui i . a ... 1.1.1 .1,. nn insinuating warning of danger. "My lord," said the trooper with t red mustache, riding by the side of master, "tho fool U plotting furth mischief." hnrin tVotrnlnr fia ho tlll'Uffl tflvVn bis side of the field. "lio siowiy. my torn, ami i win i Tt-lili thr.li- hnmls tntrnHlpr." oontillll HUUltr. 111 tl 1U ii'U- . . ii-r. v nmiimiiir in irtuiL 11 mr t' t- t ir ineir iiavinon iu me usck. .wutii nretexi 10 oe ookiiic ior a cussei i an armor lotnt. I made mv way ne . 1 . . . V. ,11.,.. . . 11117 I-II LI .I1IV.I AlttH, UVHlllllh "it. bet pieces, I overheard fragments their conversation. It even bore your designs." A con versa nnn on hit cifkil-.is; j has then dared" All, my mm. , Fcnennng sua nnr ii.-iii ni-.'iiii triiuiihiu. i 1:11111171 UP a skirt of tassets" i-i,.t .im vnn iii-firy- sntii tn nt impatiently. ,i t i.,- ni t n i na nnnon rn mr r emperor know"- them interrupted the free baron's 4V . , i-. t ntljl M-llOn TIIH fMlirillll 1I1MMK II fi'iiiin " nn u fin iiti 1 1 1 1 1 r i ti im . mi a lauee at the fool" - one another. .... ...ui . . ... ,i . t . . likes him not, nnd will clear you Dili u i'wiui(v fi aiJi n tt it i iwt ii u was not lost upon his man. bare?" said the trooper hoarsely. on hastily. giving the signnl to begin. imvn in in ir- nut tin s ins iirnii- luiiit'ti I line. uu mi irii uiraiii n llta aiiu ivntohnfl tlift Itn u i'N iut?tt iul:. ru i ur n iui u iia The dust that arose seemed an all of unccrtataty. "Oh." exclaimed Louise, striving iii'v iiiivD twur-ii iiiuu nuiu ulu another part of the field. Itl- I.J 1.1m 1 ll-l....' A princess, now rosy with excitement. "No; he has won," added the maid tne next oreain as a porttou ot tuo scuriug mantle was swept aside. vim it- , , it-,,: mi- iii j rnloined her mtatrnsd Iriiimnh.-mt greatest knights.' "tn tins case, madam, it is nui n- ml vnnr a pht ulinnlil tin linttpr ttinu AH... II i. .. i , ... , . I .... i ...T t maid. whelming strength and creator menrum. mid ltcbtlr plucked from aeat a stalwart adversary. Others bis following failed not in the iniui, uiiu iiuii-io mm nwt'i ,, .,.,1 ItA-une a tiH ri-nntlArd 1111 dered In tho sand. As the Hues swept together wl ine UUSl rising ueiorr, ,mrii!i-ii"- r