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H Under by fred: Author Copyright. 1005. by the cnArTEn vm. SOUN out those torchbenrers humnn candlesticks and valets de cbanibro, and I'll get mc to bed," commnuded the duke, standing in the center of his room, and a trooper with a fierce red mustache waved a swarm of pages, cupbearers und attendants from the door and closed It. "How are tho men quartered, Johanri?" "With all the creature comforts, my lord," answered the soldier, gazing downward. "Hold them in check, Joliann, as though we were In a campaign," said the noble. "Yes, my lord," returned the man. Dialing impassively before hits. Saluting respectfully, an expression of quick intelligence on his florid features, the trooper backed out of the room. With bis hands behind him, his shoulders bent forward, the duke long pondered, his look, keen and discerning. his perspicacity clear In spite of Frauds' wine or the intoxication of the princess* C3*es. Although the noble's glance seemed bent on vacancy, tt wag himself as well as others he was studying, weighing the mcnioruble events ot tlie evening, recalling to mind every word with the princess, reviewing her features, the softening of her cold disdain, now mentally distrustful because " she was u woman, again contldeut ho already dominated the citadel of her heart. The clear tinkling of a bell broke iti upon bis cogitation, a faint musical sound tbat seemed ot his very elbow, lie wheeled about abruptly, saw nothing save tlie mysterious shadows of the curtains, the dickering lamps, the dark outline of the canopy of the great bed. Instinctively be knew be was not alone, otwl ? ? 1" b?w, rupiuiy sweeping tho npartmcut, fulled to perceive au Intruder. Again the tinkling, a low laugh, and, turning shurply toward au alcove from whenco the sounds came, the duke, through the half light and trailing, 8omhrous shudcrws of Its entrance, perceived a figure in a chair. From u candle set in a spiked enameled stick a jellow glluimerlng that came and went with the sputtering flame rested upon an ironical# ->e, a graceful figuro in motley *v*^~.vnnd with the lester's head and tuo b ?. without risrhg th<5 plaisnnt quizzically regarded the surprised nobleman, who lu spite of hla self control had stepped back involuntarily at the suddenness of the encounter. "Good evening, my lord," snid tho fool. "I aiu like the genii of the tale. You think of me and I appear." Regaining his composure at once, the king's guest bent his heavy brows over his deep set eyes and deliberately surveyed the fool. "And now," went on the jester gayly, "It Is in your mind I am like as suddenly to?disappear! A hi I at fault?" "On the contrary, you are unusually clear witted," was the answer. "Oh, my lord, you overestimate my poor capacity!" returned the nobleman's unasked caller, with a deprecatory gesture. The hunds of tho other worked Impatiently. His herculean figure blocked AV. HVrt.. ?MA rt frtl - IUC uuui wuj . xuu uic a iucuj 4*5*low," he observed. "It is to be regretted, but?confess you huve brought it upon yourself." "W iy fate? Oh, yes!" And be indifferently regarded the wand and the wooden figure upon It without moving from the chair. "You have no fear?" questioned the duke quietly. "Fear? Why should I?" Tav? ning, the fool stretched his arms, looking not at the nobleman, but beyond him, and Instinctively the princess* betrothed peered over his shoulder in the soroidarkuess behind, while his bond quickly sought his sword. "Fie, most noble duke!" exclaimed the Jester. "We have no eavesdroppers or interlopers, believe me. We are entirely nlone. you and I. master and fool. There, come no nearer, I beg," as the nobleman menacingly moved toward him. "Have you any argument to advance, Sir Fool, why I should not?" said the other grimly, a gleam of amusement depleted on his broad face as he paused the while. A AMiwtamAnf stistm ?a n nAivtln Au UiKumcuw ouni|/ uo ? uvcuivi somewhat longer," replied the jester touching his breast ahd drawing from between the folds of bis doublet a shin lng hilt. Harsh and loud laughed the klng'c guest. "You fool," he said, "you had your opportunity below there In th? hall and missed it. You hesitated, weni blindly another course, and now," wltl ominous meaning, "you are here!" Upon the stick a candle dripped sputtered and went out. The Jestei bent forward and with the coppe snuffer on the table near by deftl; trimmed the remaining light. "Only fools light In dnrkness," he r? marked quietly, "and here is but on of them." "You pit yourself and that?plaj thing?against me?" asked the burl soldier derisively. "Have you hunted the wild boar, m lord?" lightly answered the otbe "How mighty it 1st Bow Mn? What tusksl Ton fcQow the pa*tla< ERIC S. ISHAM, of "The Stroller*" BOWEN-MERRILt COMPANY A quick stop, n sure* arm, nn eye liko lightning?presto!?your boar lies on ' his back, wltl^Sfc feet in the air! Yon, my lonl, uie the boar; big, clumsy, ' brutal! Shall we begin the sport? I ! promise to prick you with every rush." 1 The prospective bridegroom paused thoughtfully. "There is some justice In what you say," he returned, his manner that of a man who has carefully weighed and considered a matter. "1 coufess to partiality for the thick of the fray, the brunt of the tight, where men press all around you." "Assuredly, my lord: for thou the boar-Is in his element. No matter how he rushes, his tusks strike yielding tlesb." ' "Why should we light* at all?at I present?" cautiously ventured the 1 noble, with further hesitation. "Not that I dotibt I could easily crush you" 1 ; ?extending his muscular arms?"hut ' ' you might prick me, and Just now 1 discretion may he the better part of valor. I, a duke, engaged to wed a 1 nrlnrcss imvo ? , . ...u<,u iu iu.it*; you, notli- I ! tng! A fool's strike might kill a king." t "Or a knave, my lord!" added the f plnlsant. > "Or a knave, sirrah!" thundered the i Juke, the veins starting out on his forehead. 1 The jester half drew his dagger. Ilis i qulot confidence and glittering eye iui- li pressed even his antagonist, inured to scenes of violence and strife. u "Is it a truce, most noble lord'?" said b the fool significantly. "A truce where- v in we may call black, black, and white, ti white! A truce which may be broken n by cither of us. with due warning to b the otter?" Knitting his brow, the noble stood b motionless, deeply pondering, his head- tl long passion evidently at combat with his Judgment. Then his face cleared, a a hard, brusque inugh burst from his 11 lips, and lie brought his fist violently down on the massive oak table near ci the door. n; "So be it!" he assented, with a more open look. a( "A truce?without any rushes from the bour?" g, "Fool! Does not my word sufllee?' sv contemptuously retorted the duke. "Yes, for although you are?what p. you are?you have bccu ? ai woJ>{j'clTcommends tion from?my jester w is. indeed, Uattcring." satirically re- t marked the king's guest, seating him- w self in a great ohalr which brought him a face to face with the fool and yet com- 6c manded the door, the intruder's only i? means of retreat cs "Pardon xne, the duke's jester, yen i>] mean?" ir "Yes; mine." U( "A distinction with a difference," re- ti torted the fool. "It Is quite true I am ^ the duke's jester. It Is equally untrue <j I am yours. Therefore, we reach the e, conclusion that you and the duke are ^ two different persons. Plainly, not he- u In# the duke, you are an impostor, f, Have you any fault to find with my reasoning?" I, "On the contrary," answered the otli- n er, with no sign of anger or surprise, t i "your reasoning Is all that could he de- ^ sired. Why should I deny what you v already know? I was aware, of course, t that you knew when I first learned his Jester was in the castle. Frankly, 1 v am not the duke?to you." "But with Francis and the court?" r suggested the fool, uplifting his brows. "I am the duke nnd such remain, j You understand?" . i "Perfectly, my lord," replied the jest- ^ er, shrugging his shoulders. "But ( j since I am not the king nor one of the ( ' courtiers, whom for the time being j hnve I the honor of addressing? But perhaps I am overlnqulsltlve." . "Not at all," said the other, with 1 mocking ceremony. "You arc a whimsical fellow. Besides, 1 am taken with ( a man who stands near death without j flinching. To tell you the truth, our truce is somewhat to my liking. There ' ore few men who would have dared .... A *./? nltl?,l1irl> I VYlllll juu lin>c nuu, Iiuwiif.u you're only n fool, will you drink with me from this bottle on the tnble here? I'm tired of ceremonies of rank, niul would clink a glass In private with a merry fellow. What say you?" And. leaning over, ho filled two largo ' I goblets with the rich beverage from n great flask placed on the stand for his , convenience. His faco lighted with , . gross conviviality, but behind his jo- | i vial, free manner, that of a trooper In * his cups, gleamed a furtive, guarded look, as though he were studying and i testing his man. 1 "I'm for a free life, some fighting. * but snug walls around for conipanion* ship." he continued. "Look at my sol1 dlers now; roistering, love making! Charles? Francis? Not one of the ? troop would leave mo for emperor or r king! Not one but would follow me? r where ambition leads!" Holding up f the glass, he looked Into the depths of the thick burgundy. "Why. n likely - fellow like you should carry a glcame Ing blade, not a wooden sword. I know your duke?a roan of lineage, a r- string of tH lea long as my arm?an uny derling of the emperor, while I"?closing his great jaw firmly?"owe nlj leglance to no man or monarch, which r. Is the same thing. Drink, lad; I'm ?! pleased 1 did not kill you." |t, "Ajndl," laughed the plalsqnt, "conI - _ ? wutv/l gratulnte myseir you an? snu nuv for the wine Is excellent!" "Still alive!" exclaimed the king guest boisterously, although a dm shadow crossed Ills glance. "I'm sen red from head to foot, and my hide as tough as"? "A boar's?" tapping his chin wit the fool's head on his wand. "Ah. you will have your jest," r torlcd the host of the occasion goo uaturcdly. "It's bred In the hone. . quality for a soldier. Next to cournj: *is that lino sense of humor whlc makes a man a bon comrade. Pi down your graven image, lad; yo wore made to carry arms, not bauble: Put it down, I say. and touch glassc with Louis of IM'alz-Urfeld." "Lord Ilcehfcls!" exclaimed the jes: or, fixedly regarding the man whos name was known throughout Europ for his reckless bravery, his porsonn resource : and his indomitable pride o love of freedom and indepondenei which held him aloof from emperor o monarch nr.d made him peer and lead or among the many intractable spirit of Use Austrian country who had no yet bowed their necks to conquest; : soldier of masiy battles, whose tlilcl walled fortress, perched plcturcsquel; In midair on a steep mountain top established his security on nil sides. ? ,.o same, my friend ol tlio motley,' Lo.;tin,:ed the other, not without com plucouey, observing the effect <rf hi: uiiiounceuiciit 011 the jester. "lie who calls himself the free baroi if Iloehfcls':" observed the fool, set jug down the glass from which he bad Moderately partaken. "Aye, a man of royal and peasant jlood," harshly answered the freelooler. niiition and arrogance arc he kin;.; .. erilaneo; strength, a eondilution 01 iron, the lowborn legacy. A'bal thiid: you of such an endowment V "You are far from your castle, my ord of iTfn-iif?iu" * - * ? v.^., luiiMiiviut'u uiu jesi r absently, unmindful of a question 10 lolt not called upon to answer. "And yet as safe as in my own aouiilain nest," retorted the free aron or froebootor indilterently. "Who rould betray me? There is not a rooper of mine but would die for his luster. You would not denounce me. oca use?but why eimmerntc the reaons? I hold you in the palm of my and, and when 1 clo.se my lingers [lore's the end of you." "But where?allow me, the wine has rare llavor," and he reached for the ask. "Drink freely," returned the prcteuur. "It is the king's own, and you are ly guest. You were about to ask"? "Wheuco came the idea for this mad I venture?" said the Jester, his eyes >emingly bent in admiration on the )blet lie held?a half globe of crystal istalnod by a golden Bacchus. "Idea!" repealed the self cullgg i Inspiration, born of that chance hlch points the way to greatness, he feat accomplished, all Europe ill wonder at the wanton exploit, t first Francis will rage. Then, :eing me impreguably intrenched, e will make the best of the marriage, specially as the groom is of royal lood. Next an alliance with the rencli king against the emperor. Why at? Was not. Francis once ready to cat even with Solyiunn to defeat harles, an overture which shocked hrlstendom? And while Charles' nergics are bent to the task of pro i?clinK his country from the Turks a e\v louder appears, a devil may care allow?and then -and "then"? Ho broke oil' abruptly, stared before ,im as though the funics of wine were t last beginning to rise to his head, oyed with his glass and drank It jUickly at a draft. "What an alluring nll-o'-the-wisp is?tomorrow!" he muterod. "An illusive hope that reconciles us vith today," answered the plalsant. "Illusive!" cried tlie other. "Only for ?oets, dreamers, fools!" "And you, Sir Baron, are neither out ror the other," remarked the Jester. 'No philosopher, but a plain soldier ,vho chops heads, not logic. But the In iplrutiou that caused you to embark upon tills hot brained, pretty enter wise?" "Upon a spur of rock that overlook! the road through the mountain Is se the Vulture's Nest, Sir Fool," began tin wlventurer ir. a voice at once coniideu and arrogant. "At least so the thin honored fortress of lloehfels is dis paragingly designated by the people Am t lir? rnm! in lh?> Olllv t?lSS thl'Ollirl the mountains, naturally we con* more or less in contact with the peopi who go by our doors, Being thus force through the situation of our fortres Into the proximity of the travelln public, wo have from time to tlru made such sorties as are practiced b a beleaguered garrison and have 1 consecpience taken prisoners many tru Ackers and traders whose goods an chattels were worthy of our attcutio as spoils of war. Generally we liav conllnod our operations to migrator merchants, who carry more of vali and cause less trouble thuu the empe or's soldiers or the king's troopers, bt occasionally we brush agaiust one < the latter bauds so that we may ke< in practice in laying our blades to tl grindstone and also to show we ai soldiers, not robbers. "Which remains to be proved," nan mured the attentive jester. "Your pu don, noble lord," as the other ha started from his chair; "let me All yo glass. 'Tin a pity to neglect such roy wine. Proceed with your story. Con we presently to the Inspiration?" "At once," answered the apparent appeased master of the fortress, wl lug his lips. "One day our weste outpost brought in a messenger, a: when we had stripped the knave, up hhn we found a miniature and a I ter from the princess to the duke. T latter ww orettliy wriU with b?r? S 0 M W. vr., reoruary 24, 1901 e< there n rliymo, and moved me mightily. The eagle bath its mate, I thought. 3 but the vulture of Hocbfels Is single, ^ and this reflection, with the sight of r" the picture and that right, fair script. '9 saddened inc. "And then, 011 a sudden, came the inspiration. Why not play a hand In this international marriage Charles and Francis were bringing about? I coiu' mnndcd the only road across the mount tain, therefore did couimand the situ ? atlon. The emperor and the king should be but the wooden figures, and l* I would pull the strings to make them 11 dance. The duke, your master, why 3* should he he more than a name? The !S princess' letter told mo she had never seen l.er betrothed. What easier than ' * to redouble the sentries lu the valley, e make prisoners of the messengers, clap 0 them in the fortress dungeons, read the missives and then dispatch them to r their respective destinations by men ' of my own?" ,r "Then that was the reason why on my way through the mountains your j knaves attacked me?" said the listener quickly. "Exactly; to search you. How you ' slipped through their hands I know ^ not." And ho glanced at the nOw? * curiously. ,, "They were but poor rogues," answered the jester quickly. "Certainly are you not one!" exclaimed the free baron, with a glance of approval at the slender ilguve of his anI tngonlst. "Two of them paid for their " carelessness. The others were so shamed they told me some great knight had attacked them. A fool In II motley!" lie laughed. "Ne wonder the rogues hung their heads! llut in de reiving me." he added thoughtfully, "they permitted their master to run into an unknown peril?his ignorance that n fool of the duke or n fool wearing the emblem of the emperor had gone to Francis' court." "You were saying. Sir Free Patron, you intended to read the messages between the princess and the duke and afterward dispatch them by messcupers of your own?" Interrupted the plaisant. "Such were my plans. Moreover, I possessed n clerk?a knave who had killed nu abbot and tied from the monastery?a man of poetry, wit and sentiment. Wheuovcr the letters lacked for ardor and the lovers had grown too timid, him I sent to forge a postscript or indite new missives, which the rogue did most prettily, having studied love making under the monks. And thus, Sir Fool, I courted and won the princess?by proxy!" "Of a certainty, yonr wooing was at least novel, Sir Knight of the Vulture's Nest," dryly observed the jester. "Although, had my master known the deception, you would perhaps have paid dearly for it." "Your master, forsooth!" laughed the OnJln.W.J'Uvi ?> twnwn >m.l muscle; no weakling of the nursery." "Well," salil the fool slowly, "you became intermediary between the princess niul the duke nud the king and the emperor. But to come into the heart of France to the king's very palace?did j'ou not fear detection?" "How?" retorted the other, raising his head and resting his eyes, bloodshot and heavy, on the fool's impassive features. "The road between the two mouurchs is mine; no message can now pass. The emperor and the duke may wonder, but the way here is long, and"?with a smile?"I have ample time for the enterprise ere the alarm can be given." "And you paved the way for your coining by altering the letters of the duke or forging new ones?" suggested the listener. "IIow else? A word added here and there; a postscript or even a page! As for their highnesses' seals, any fool can break and mend a seal. In a week the duke will wonder at the princess' silence; in a fortnight he will become uneasy; In a 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, aud the , true but tardy messengers permitted . to go their respective ways. Is it not ; a uico adventure? Aui 1 uot a littci leader than your duke?" "Undoubtedly." returned the jester. i "lie sit.s nt home, while you are here l lu his stead. But what will the prln3 cess say when she learns?" t "Nothing. She loves me already." 3 The fool turned palo. The hand that held his glass, however, was linn, and i. he set the goblet down without a j tremor. e "She may weep a Utile, but it will e pass like a summer shower. Women L1 are weak; women are yielding. Have s I not reason to know?" he burst out. K e Brusquely he arose from his chair, y leaving the sentence uncompleted. u Sternly he surveyed the jester, f. "Why not take the service with me?" tl he continued abruptly. "Austria is n ripe to revolt ngalnst the tyranny of u the emperor. With the discontent In v the Netherlands, the dissensions in to Spain. Europe is like a field, cut up, r- awaiting newcomers." .? Tin nniwoil to nllow the force of his >f words to oppcnl to tlie other's Imnglnu?p tlon. "Whnt sny you?" he continued. Je "Will you serve me?" L-e "The matter's worth thinking over." answered the fool evasively. r. "Well, take your time." said the r. king's guest, regarding hint moro If sharply. "And now. as the candles ur are low and the flask Is empty, you a| had better take your leave." ue At this Intimation that the other considered the interview ended the fool ly started to his feet and deliberately ip. made his way to the door opening lute ru the corridor. nd "Good night." be said, and was aboul on to deport when the free baron held him with a word, he "Hold! Why have you not attempt Q<1 od to unmask me beforef" 5. * Steadily the two looked r.t er.cfc other. the eyes of the elder mau cruel, dot P, all observing, those of the younger steady, fearless, undismayed. Few of his troopers could withstand the sinister penetration of Louis ot' llochfols* ga/.o, but on the jester it seemed to have no more effoet than ibc casual glance of one of Francis* courtiers. "You knew, and yet you made no sign?" continued the master of the fortress. "Because I like a strong play and did uot wish to spoil It?too soon." The questioner's brow fell; tlie lids half veiled the dark, savage eyes, but the month relaxed. "Alt, you always have your answer." lie returned, with apparent cordiality. "Hood night, and, by the bye. our truce is at an end." "The truce?and tlio wine." said the jester as, with a ceremonious how, lie vanished amid the shadows in the hall. Slowly the free baron closed the door and locked It. looked at the cross and at the bed, but made no motion toward either. "He has already rejected my proposal," thought I ho self styled duke. "Does he seek for higher rewards by betraying mo? Or is it. then, Triboulet told the truth? Is he an aspiring lover of the princess, or is tie only faithful to 1 his master? "Why have 1 faded to road 1 him? As though a llliti lay across bis < eyes, that index to a man's soul." 1 i CHAPTER IX. I I a lN'OTIIF.lt festal day had coino 1 and gone, and tlie* pigeons ifc Hit tl were wending their way CS-ffiefrJ homeward to the castle parapels and battlemeuls when toward the arched entrance on the front strode J the duke's fool. Unit at iced among the merry throng in palace an I park the 1 Jester had moved aimlessly about. I'u- ^ observed now, tie turned Ids back upon the gray walls, satiated perhaps with 1 the fetes inaugurated by tlie kingly entertainer. But as lie attempted to pass the gate a stalwart guard stepped forward, presenting a foriuiuablc looking P glavo. 11 "Your permit to leave?" ho said. "A permit? Of course," replied the * fool ami f< It iu his coat. "I.ut what a 11 hamlsomo weapon you have, the start' * till covered with velvet and studded ^ with brass tacks!" "lias the Kniperor Charles, then, no '' such weapons;" asked the gratilied sot- fi dier. I "None so hmulsome. May 1 see it?" The guard unsuspiciously handed the glare to the jester." who immediately turned it upon tlie sentinel. "(live it hack, fool!" cried the alarni- a ed guard. ^ "Nay. 1 am mimled to call out and ^ show a soldier of France disarmed by t-': a foreign fool." ,ai "As well chop oft' my head with ?t?? ? J iw. "Co. good fool!" replied the oilier without hesitation. "Well, here is tlie glnve. Tf any one admires it again let lilui study the ^ point. Rut why may no one pass out?" "Because so many soldiers and good * citizens have been beaten and robbed ^ < . 1 "Give it bud;, fool!1' 1 by those who hover around tho palace. Hut you may go In peace," he added. "No one will hnrni n fool. If 'tis amusement you seek, there's n eniup on tho verge of tho forest where a dark haired, good looking baggage dances nnd tells cards. You can liml the place from the noise within, nnd if you're merry they'll welcome you royally. Co, and Cod be with you!" The jester turned from tho good matured guard and quickly walked dowu tho road, which wound gracefully through tho valley and lost itself afar . in a fringe of woodland. A light pattering on the hard earth behind paused mm to loon auouc. ronowing was a dog tlint now sprang forward with joyous demonstration. The fool stopped and gravely caressed the hound which Inst be had seen at the princess' feet. "Why." be said, "thou art now the tool's only friend at court." When again he moved on with rapid, nervous stride, the animal came after. Darker grew the road, deeper luted the fields nmb stubble, more somber the distant castle against the gloaming. Only the cry of a diving night bird startled the stillness of the tranquil nir; a rapacious fllclier that quickly rose and swept onward through the. sea of night. Its melancholy note echoed In the breast of the fool. Mechanically. without relaxing his swift pace, he looked upward to follow It. when n short, sharp bark behind him ' and a premonition of impending danger caused him to spring suddenly aside. : At the same time a dagger descended ' in the empty air, Just grazing the shoulder of the Jester, who. recovering himself, grasped the arm of his assailant and grappled wlty hjan, ^'lading him a ronn of little strength, the fool easily tlirexv bhu u> the earth and, kneeling on his breast in turn, menaced the assailant with the weapon he had wrested from him. "Have you any reason, knave, why I. p. should spare you?" asked the fool. "If I had, for want of breath It would fall imV "answered the lARore* ** ant with some difficulty. The duke's, jcste.r arosQ.. "t^ct up, rogue," he (5aid. and the /iiAff obeyed. lie wits it-pale, gaunt feUowj with. . .... long hair,- .unshaven face, . hollow cheeks and dark eyes set deeply In his ' * head and shaded by thick, black brows. His dress consisted of a rough doublet, with lappet sleeves, carried do.wn to a point; tight loggings, broad shoes and the puffed upper h )*e; the entire raiment frayed and worn:, his Pio'sii,. ori rather, his hones, showing through flie* scanty covering for his legs, while his feet were no better protected than those of a trooper who has been long on the inarch, lie displayed no fear or enmity. On the contrary, his manner was rather frionillv tim?? wise, :in though he failed to understand tlio enormity of Ins offense nnd the position in which lie was placed. Shifting froui on<- foot to another, lie crossed his great, thin hands before tin? and patiently, awaitcu his cup* or',; pleasure. The ,latter,, surveyed lilt) curiously and, noting ills woebcjone features and beggarly attire, pity, lerb.aps, assuaged bis just anger toward this starveling. "Why did you wish to kill mo?" usk*1 the jester quietly if somewhat iin* jnliently. 1 "It was not my wish, Musti'r Fool," jently replied the other, bill even as te spoke the resignation in his manler gave way to a look of npproheniion. Lifting his hand, lie felt in his ireast and glaneed about him on the oral. Then his face brightened. "With your permission?1 have e'en [roppod soiuet liing"? And. stooping, the scamp scholar icked tip a small leathern bound volime from the ground, where it bad alien during the struggle, and hold it. iglilly clutched in his hand. "Ah," lie. iiittered. with a glad sigh, "1 feared liad lost it?my Horace! And now, ir Jester, what would you with meV" "A question I might answer with a uestion," replied the fool. "Having riled in your enterprise, why should spare you?" "You shouldn't." returned the vngaond student. "The ancients teach but le irrevocable law of retribution."" To bear a would be assassin, a castway out of pocket and heels and elows, calmly proclaiming the* Greek octiiiic ol inovil:il)lciies8 under sucli Ireumstaneos would have surprised 11 observer even more experienced ami ;OKl'Vlyv.W-of rf'kv.Rnttrti. "You do not tlicn bos for life?" snldt 10 plaisaut, his former impatleuce erging into mild curiosity. "Is it worth hogging for?" asked the . .raitoncd bookworm. "Life means n inched stomach, a cold body; dealh, o lningor to fear and a bed that, iinugli cold, chills us not. What we now not doth not exist?for us; ergo, o lie in the earth is to rest in the lap f luxury for all our consciousness of :. Iiut to be unconscious of the ills of Liis perishable frame Horace likewise . oust be as dead to us as our aches nd pains. Tims is lite made prefera-' lc to death. Yes, I would live. Ilold, hough." lie again hesitated hi deep bought. "What avails Horace if"? io began. "Why, what new data have entered n the premises?" observed the wonlering jester. "Nanette!" was the gloomy answer. "Who, pray, is Nanette?" asked the ool, thrusting his assailant's weapon u his jerkin. "A wanton haggard whose tongue vltl run nnut civtecn ctncos tnpotliflr; Alio would make the devil himself malleable, then work, hammer aud wire-draw him!" "And what is .she to you?" "My wife?that is, she claims that exalted place, having married me one uight wheu 1 was iu my cups through a false priest who dresses as n Fran-; clscan monk. 'Fools in the court of Uod" are these priests called, and truljr he Is a Jester, for certainly is he no true monk. But Nanette nevertheless assorts she is the lawful partner of my sorrows. So work your will on me. A stroke, and the shivering spirit is wafted across the Styx." "And if I gave you not only your life?for a consideration hereafter to he mentioned?hut a small silver piece us well?" suggested the Jester, who had been for somo momenta burled in thought. "Ila!" ejaculated the scamp student, brightening. "Your gift would match the piece I already have and which? dolt that I was?I overlooked to include in my chain of reasoning." And, thrusting his hand into his ragged doublet, after some search he extracted a diminutive disk upon which he gn'/ed not without ardor. "Thus are we forced to start the chain of reason: lng anew." he remarked, "with Horace and this hit of metal on one side of the scales and Nanette on the other. Now, unless the devil sits on the beam with Nanette, which he's like to do, the book anil the hit of dross will outweigh her and we arrive at the certitude that life, qualified as to duration, . mnv he lmnnilr endured." "What argument doea the droas car ry, knave?" demanded the foal, looking down nt the hound that crouched nt hla feet. "With It may he purchaaed that which wanna the pinched Btoinach. With It may he bought an elixir so strong and magical It may breed defiance even of Nanette, Sir Fool, I have < i, '.'"(h (] t<> accept life and the < Continual en fctk page. * * >