Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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H Under i SS^ By FREDE ' Author o Copyright, 1005. by the E CHAPTER XI. puSr^iETWEEN Calllette nnd the | il I duke's jester hud arisen one |fc 3Sa ?f those friendships whlcli WhWQI spring more from similitude than unlikcncss, an umity of which each had been unconscious in its inception, but which had' gradually grown into a sentiment of comrade snip. Caillette was of uobie mien, graceful manner nnd elegant address, B a soldier by preference, a jester against liis will, forced to the office by the nobleman who had cared for and educated hhn. In the duke's fool he hud fouud his other self, a man who, like himself, lent dignity to the gentle art I of jesting. ' Moreover, Caillette experienced n superior sadness, sifted through years of infestlvlty nnd gloom, beginnlug when Dlune was led to the altar by tho grand seneschal of__Normandy, that threw an ncyinl, albeit cynical, interest about the love tragedy of the duke's fool which the other divined uud, from, his own past heart throbs, understood. The plaisant to the princess' betrothed, Callletto would have sworn, was of gentle birth. Ills face, manner nnd bearing proclaimed It. He was also a scholar nnd n poet. Ills couruge. which Caillette divined, fitted him for the higher office of arms. Certainly he became nn interesting companion, nnd the French Jester sought his company on every occasion. And this fellowship or intimacy which he courted was destined to send Caillette forth on a strange nnd adventuresome mission. The day followlne the return of the duke's fool to the castle, Francis, who early in bis reign bad sought to model his life after tho chivalrous romances, inaugurated a splendid and pompous tournament. The king rode from the castle under a pavilion of cloth of gold and purple velvet, with the letters F and It boldly outlined, followed by ladies and courtiers, pages and attendants. Amid the shouts and huzzas of the people the monarch and his retinue took their plnces in the center of the stand, the royal box hung with ornate brocades and trimmings. In an Inclosurc of white next to that of the king were seated the lady of the, tournament, the Princess Louise, and her maids of honor, arrayed all in snowy garb, and against the garish brilliancy of the general background, a pompous pageantry of colors, the decoration of this dainty nook shone in silvery contrast. A garland of flowers w#8 the only crown the lady wore. Behind her, motionless as a statue. ' With face that looked nnler nnrt Una the redder und hdlr the blacker, stood the mnld Jacqueline. If the casual . glance saw first the blond head, the creauiy arms aud sunny blue eyes of the princess, It was apt to linger with almost n start of wonder upon the striking figure of the Jestress, n nocturnal touch in a pearly picture. "On my word, there's a decorative creature for nny lord to have in his house." murmured the ngcd chancellor of the kingdom, sitting near the monarch. "Who is she?" "A beggar's brat Francis found here j^en he took the castle," replied the 1 ribboned spark addressed. "You I ow the story?" Yes," said the white haired diplomat half sadly. "This castle once belonged to the great constable of Dubrols. When he fell from favor the king besieged him. The constable fled v and died In Spain. Thnt much, of course, I and the world know. But the girl"? \ "\^en our victorious monarch took possession of this ancient pile." * * RF' "Don Vouloir! Don Vouloir!" plained the willing conrtler, "the only ones left In tt were an old gamekeeper and bis dangbter, a gypsy-like maid wbo ran wild In tbe woods. Time batb tamed her somewhat, but there she stands." "And what sad memories of a noble bnt unfortunate gentleman cluster 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 he ?Is nothing." A great murmur, resolving itself into shouts and resounding outcry, interrupted the noble's reminiscent mood ,1 I the Rose ric s. isham; I "The Strollers'* (OWEN-MERRILL COMPANY as n thickset figure lu richly chased armor, mounted on n massive horse, crossed the arena. "Hon Voulolr!" they cried. "Bon VouloltT' It was the name assumed by the fpnn 1\M rAn f r\y *I?A II.? ? >??.v vtii vii tv/i iiiv via^ , n iiiii; uiuvr knights were known for the time being by such euphonious anil chivalrous appellations as Vaillant Desyr, Bon Espoir or Coeur Loyal. Bon Voulolr upon this popular demonstration reined his steed and, removing his liend covering, bowed reverently to the king and his suit, deeply to the lady of the tournament and her retinue and carelessly to the vociferous multitude, after which he retired to a large tent of crimson and gold set apart for his convenience and pleasure. From the purple box the monarch had nodded graciously, and from the Bilver bower the lady had smiled softly, so that the duke had 110 reason for dissatisfaction. The attitude of the crowd was of small moment, an unmusical accompaniment to the potent pantomime, of which the principal flg'urcs were Francis, the King Arthur of Europe, and the princess, queen of beauty's unbounded realm. In front of the duke's pavilion was hung his shield, and by its side stood his 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 cap crowning the pole in place of the customary banner. Over the entrance were suspended the Jester's gilded wand and a staff, from which hung a blown bladder. Here were quartered the court jesters whom Francis had commanded to lie fittingly attired for the lists and to take part in the general combat. At the entrance of the pavilion stood Caillette, who hud watched the passing of Bon Voulolr and now was gazing upward into n son of faces from whence came a hum of voices like the buzzing of unnumbered bees. "Certes," be commented, "the kins makes much of this unmannered. lumpish, beer drinking noble who is going to wed the princess." "Cnlllette." said the low voice of the " duke's Jester at his elbow, "would you see a woman undone?" "Why, mon ami," lightly answered the French fool, "who is the woman?" "The Princess Louise!" Cnlllette glanced from the place where he stood to the center of the stand and the white bower, inclining from which was a woman, haughty, fair, beautiful, one whose face attracted the attention of the multitude and who seemed not unhappy in being thus scrutinized and admired. Shaking his head slowly, the court poet dropped his eyes nud studied the sand at his feet. "She looks not wronged," he said dryl>. "She appears to enjoy her triumphs." "And yet, Cuillette, 'tis all' a farce," answered the duke's Jester. "So have I?thought?on other occai sious." , And again his gaze flew upward, not, however, to the lady whom Frauds hail gnlluutly chosen for queen of beauty, but, despite his alleged cynicism, to a corner of the king's own box, where sat she who had once been a laughing maid by his side and with whom he had played that diverting pustorul called "First Love." It was only an instant's return into the farcical but joy! ous past, nud a moment later he was sharply reculled into the arid present I by the words of bis companion. "The man the Princess Louise Is going to marry is no more Robert, the duke of Friedwald, than you are!" exclaimed the foreign fool. "He Is Louis of Pfals-Urfeld, the so called free baron of Hochfels. His castle commands tho road between the true duke and Frauds' domains. He made himself master of all the correspondence, conceived , the plan to come here himself, and in- j I tends to carry off the true lord's bride. ' i Indeed, in private he has acknowledged it all to me, and, failing to corrupt mc to his service, last night set an assassin to kill lno." 1 His listener, with folded arms and attentive mien, kept his eyes fixed steadily upon (he narrator as If he doubted the evidence of his senses. Without, the marshals had tnken their places in the lists, and another stentorian dissonance greeted these officers of the field from the good humored gathering, which, basking in the anticipation of the feast they knew would follow the pagdintry, clapped tb$ir hands and flung up their caps'at ttm least provocation for rejoicing. Upon . the two Jesters this scene of Jubilation I was lost, Caillette merelv bendlntr clos er to the other, with: "Bat Why bnve you not denounced him to the king?" "Because of my fool hardiness In tacitly accepting at first this freebooter as my master." CalUette shot a keen glance at the other and smiled. His eyes said "Foolbardiness! Was it not rather some other emotion? Had not the princess leaned more than graciously toward her betrothed and"? "I thought him but some flimsy ad venturer," went on the duke's fool hastily, "and told myself I would see the play played out, holding the key to the situation and;'? "Ton underestimated him?" "Exactly. His plans were cunningly laid, ntid now?who urn I that ti-r king should listen to nier At best. If I denounce hira, they would probably consider it a bit of pleasantry or?mad ness." "Yes." reluctantly assented Calllette, Triboujpt's words, "a fool in love with the princess!" recurring to him. "it would be undoubtedly even as you say." The duke's Jester looked down thoughtfully. He had only half expressed to the French plnisant the doubts which had nssailed him slr.ee his Interview with Louis of Hoclifels Who could read the minds of inon archs, the motives actuating them? Should he be able to convince Francis of the deception practiced upon him, was It altogether unlikely that the king might not be brought to condone the offense for the sake of an alliance with this Louis of Pfalz-Urfeid and the other unconquerable free barons of tlic Austrian border against Charles himself? The voice of Calllette broke In upon bis thoughts. "You will not, then, attempt to de nounee lilm?" The fool hesitated. "Alone?out of favor with the king, I like not to risk the outcome?but?If I may depend upon you"? "Did ever friend refuse such a call?" exclaimed Caillottc promptly. A quick glance of gratitude flashed from the other's eyes. "There Is one flaw in the 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, aud his followers guard the road thronell Hip mnnnfnlno lTr? tnllo 1.1... self not only nre the emperor niul the Duke of Frledtrnld too fur distant to hear of the pretender and interfere with the nuptials, but that he 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 security?but an imaginary one." "What mean you?" asked Caillette attentively, from his manner giving fuller credence to the extraordinary news he had Just learned. "That Charles, the emperor, is not in Austria, but in Aragou, at Saragossa. where he enn be readied in time to prevent the marriage. Just before my leaving, the emperor, to my ccrtnin knowledge, secretly depnrted for Spain on matters pertnining to the governing of Aragon. Charles plays a deep game In the affairs of Europe, thoufeli he works ever silently npd unobtrusively. Is he uot always beforehand with your king? When Francis was preparing the gorgeous Field of the Cloth of Gold for his English brother, did not Charles quietly leave for the little Isle and there, without beat of drum, arrange ids own affairs before Henry was even seen by your pleasure loving monarch? Yes; to the impostor and to Francis, v;naries is in Austria; to us?for now you share my secret?is he in Spalu. where l>y swift riding he may he found and yet interdict in this matter." "Then why haven't you ere this fled to the emperor with the news?" "Last night I had determined to get away, when first I was assaulted by an assassin of the impostor and next detained by his troop and brought back to the castle. I had even left on foot, trusting to excite less suspicion, and hoping to find a horse on the wny, but fortune was with the pretender. So here nm I, closely watched and waiting," he ndded grimly. The indifference faded from Calllette's face and almost a boyish enthusiasm shone in his eyes. "Moil ami, I'll do it!" he exclaimed lightly. "I'll ride to the emperor for you." 8ilently the Jester of the duke wrung his hand. "I've long sighed for an adventure," laughed Caillette, "and here Is the opportunity. Caillette, a knight errant! But," his face falling, "the emperor will look on me as a madman." "Nay," replied the duke's plalsnnt, "here is a letter. When he reads it he will nt lenst think the affair worth consideration. He knows mo and trusts my fidelity and will be assured I would not jest on such a serious matter. Believe me, he will receive you as more tunn a madman." "Why, then, 'twill be a rare adventure," commented the other, "wandering lu the country?the benutifu! country, where I was reared-away from the madness of courts. Already I hear the wanton brec/.es sighing in Sapphic softness and the forests' elegiac murmur. Tell me, how shall I ride?" "As a knight to the border, thence 0Utv4rd ns a minstrel. In Spain there's always a welcome for a blithe slngeV." " 'Tis fortunate I learned some Spanish love songs from a fair senora who was in Charles' retinue the time he visited Francis," added Calllctte. "An 1 should fall?" he continued more gravely. "You will not fall," was the confident fOTk) W VFV "I am of your mind, but things will happen?sometimes. And why do you pot speak -to the princess herself?to warn her"? "Speak to her!" repented the duke's Jester, a shadow ou bis brow. "When he has appealed to her, perhaps? when"? lie broke off abruptly. His tone was proud, in his eyes a look which Calilette afterward understood. As It was, the latter nodded his head wisely. "A woman whose fancy is touched is ?what she is," he commented generally. "Truly it would be a more thankless task even than approaching the king. But, look you, there's another channel to the princess' mind, yonder black browed maid, our ally In motley ?when she chooses to wear it?Jacqueline." like* ?uwV.' rftojrntd the /ool. "Would, she believe mo In ouch on Import nnt matter?'* "1*111 afraid not," tranquilly replied Cnillctte, "in view of ilie Improbability of your tnle and the undoubted erodon tinls held by this pretender. For nix pnrl, to look nt the fellow was aim ? enough. But to the ladies his brutality slguifieth strength and power and bb uucouthness originality and genius. We are fools, you and I. and love, my friend, is but broad faree at the be '." Even as he spoke thus, however. fr >; the lists came the voices of the well instructed heralds, secretaries of the occasion, who had delved deeply Into lispractices of the merry and nude \ pastime: "Love of ladies! For yo-> glory! Chivalry but lights for love! Look down, fair eyes!" a peroration which was answered with many pieces of silver from the galleries above and which the gorgeously dressed o.iicials readily unbent to gather. Among the fair bands which rewarded this perfunctory apostrophe to the tender pasrton none was more lavish in offerings than those matrons and maids in the vicinity of the king. A satirical smile again marred Cnillctte's fate, but be kept bis reflections to himself, reverting to the business of the moment. "I should be off at once!" lie cried. "But what can we do? The king hath commanded all the jesters to appear in tlie^touruanujnt today, properly armed and armored, the better to riiaUb spriglitlier sport amid the ponderous pastime of the knights. Here am I bound to shine on horseback, willy nilly. Yet this matter of yours is pressing. Stay! I have It. I can e'en fall from my liorse. by a ruse, retire front lite field and fly southward." "Then will 1 wish you godspeed now." said the duke's fool. "Never was a stauclier heart than thine, Cail lottrv nr n li'iinr M "One word," returned ttic other, not without n trace of feeling which even his cynicism could not hide. "TSowarc of the false duke in the arena! It will be his opportunity to"? "1 understand." answered the duke's fool, again warmly pressing Caiilette's 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 hut a span, and our friendship has been short, but sweet," added the other. Now without sounded a flourish of trumpets, and every glance was expectantly down turned front the crowded stand, as with a clatter of hoofs and waving of plumes France's young chivalry dashed Into the lists, divided into two parties, took their, respective places and. at a signal from the musicians. started impetuously against one another. CHAPTER XII. AT Y' X that lirst "Joyous and gentle JL passage of arms," wherein :"Hhc vCraftons were those "of afcVq&I courtesy," their points covered with smalt disks, several knights broke their lances fairly, two horsemen of the side wearing red plumes became unseated, and their opponents, designated as the "white plumes." swept on intact. "Well done." commented the king from his high tribunal as the squires and attendants began to clear the lists, assisting the fallen belligerents to their tents. "We shall have another such memorable Held as that of Asliby-de-InZoucli." ! Event followed event, and those court ladies who at first had professed their nerves were weaker than their foremothers' now watched the arena with sparkling eyes, no longer turning away at the thrilling moment of contact. Taking their cue from the king, they were lavish in praise and generous in approval, and nt 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 peasantry below, crowded where best they could find places, bespeaking for their part likewise an increasing lust for the stirring pastime. lu truth the only dlssatlfied onlookers were the quick fingered spoilers and rovers who. packed as close as dried dates In a basket by thc^ irresistible forward press of the people, found themselves suddenly occupationless, without power to move their arms or ply their hands. "Ha." muttered the scamp student to his good spouse, "hero are all the jolly boys Immersed to their necks, like prisoners burled In the sand by the Arabs!" "Ilush!" she whispered wnrnlngly. "See you yonder the duke's fool. lie wears the arms of Charles, the emperor." "And there's the T)nke nP PrleilwnId himself." answered the rnsired scholar. "Ho, lio I Look at TrlbouUtl" Hkook!. Tye Jesters are going to flglit They br.vc arranged them iu (wo parties. tin If of them go with the duke A.'id his knights. the other half with li.'s |ont -hip's opponents." Hut the duke's fool by ohanoe la set against Ids master." she lumnbled slgmiicnntiy. 'thill you it chance?" lie said in a low voice, and Nanette nudged him angrily in the sh!<? with her elbow so that lie cried out. and attention would have I eon called to them hut for n ripple of late liter which started on the edge of the crowd and was taken up by the serried ranks. "ilo, ho! T/vk at Trihoulet!" shouted the delighlo t p ipuhtce. "Alt, the droll fellow!" All eyes were now bent to the arena, where, on a powerful nag. sat perched the misshapen jesier. W it It whip and spur he was vehemently plying a horse that stubbornly stood as motionless as carven stone. Thinking at the last 1110iiteisl of a plan for escape from the dangerous features of the tourtiey. the hunchback had bribed one of the attendants to fetch him a s;eed which for sullen ohi uracy an,passed any charger in the king's stables. Fate, lie was called, because nothing could move or change him. and now, with head pushed forward and cars thrust back, he proved himself, henealh lite blows and spurring of the seemingly excited rider, worthy of this appellation. "do on, Fate! do on!" exclaimed the apparently angry dwarf. "Will you lie balky now. when Triboukt lias glory within his grasp? Miserable beast! Fnhappy fate! Wlicn bright eyes are watching ti c great Triboulet!" If not destined to score success with liis lance, lite dwarf at least had won a victory through his comical situation and ready wit. Fair ladles forgot his ugliness, the pages his ill humor, the courtiers his vindictive slyness, the monarch the disappointment of his failure to worst the duke's fool, and all applauded the ludicrous figure, shouting. waving his arms, stm-aling with inexorable destiny. Finally, in despair, liis hands fell to his side. "Oh. resistless necessity!" he cried. But in his heart he said: "It is well. 1 am as safe as on a wooden horse, llere I stand. Let others have their heads split or their bodies broken. Triboulet, like the gods, views the carnage from afar." While this hit of unexpected comedy riveted the attention of the spectators the duke and ins followers had slowly ridden to their side of the inclosure. llere hovered the squires, adjusting a stirrup. giving a last turn to a strap or tcsiiug a bridle ?*r girth. Behind stood the heralds, trumpeters and pursuivants in their bright garb of ollice. At his own solicitation had the duke been assigned an active part in the day's entertainment. The king, fearing for the safety of his guest and the possible postponement of tue marriage should any injury befall him. had sought to dissuade him front his purpose, but the other had laughed boisterously at the monarch's fears and sworn he would break i a lance for his ladylove that day. Francis, too gallant a knight himself to interpose further objection to an announcement so in keeping with the traditions of the lists, thereupon had ordered the best charger in his stables to be placed at the disposal of the prini cess' betrothed and again nodded his approbation upon the appearance of the duke in the ring. But at least one ' person in that vast assemblage was far front sharing the monarch's complaisant titood. I If the mind of the duke's fool had heretofore been tilled with bitterness upon witnessing festal it mors to a mere nrcsmmHiious free ltaran. what uow wore his emotions at the reception accorded Uitn? 1 rum kins to churl was lie a gallant noble; lie a swaggerer, ill born, a terrorist of mountain passes. Even as the irony of the demonsira- J tlon swei'.l over the jester from above fell a (lower white as the box from whence it was wafted. Downward it 1 fluttered, a messenger of amity, like a dove to his gauntlet. And with the favor went a smile from the lady of the lists. Hut while Uon Vouloir stood there, the symbol in lbs hand and the applause ringing in his ears, into the tenor of his thoughts, the conseiousness of partly gratified ambition, there crept an insinuating warning of danger. "My lord," sai l the trooper with the red mustache, riding by the side of his master, "tub fool Is plotting further mischief." "What mean you?" asked the free baron, frowning, as lie turned toward his side of the Held. "(Jo slowly, my lord, and 1 will tell you. 1 saw the fool and another Jester witli their heads together." continued the trooper in a low tone. "They were standing in front of the jesters' tent. You bade mo watch him. So 1 entered their pavilion at tin* back. Making pretext to he looking for a gusset for an armor joint, 1 made my way near the entrance. There, bending over barbet pieces. 1 overheard fragments of their conversation. It even bore on your designs." "A conversation on my designs! He h.in tlion ilnpml"? "All, my lord. A scheming knave! J After 1 had hoard enough. 1 gathered np a skirt of tnssots"? | "What did you hear?" said the other impatiently. "A plan by which he hoped to let the emperor know"? A loud flourish of trumpets near them Interrupted the free baron's informer, and when the clarion tones had ceased it was the master who spoke. "There's time but for a word now. Come to my tent afterward. Meanwhile," he went on hurriedly, "direct a lance at the fool"? "But. my lord." expostulated the man quickly, "the jesters only are to oppose one another." "It will pass /or an accident. Francis ^ h likes li'rn not, and writ c'rnr you of unkuiglnly conduct. if'? He finished wi111 n tvddly significant. look, which wa ; n >t 1 > U u; on M s man. "Kven if tko leaden disk should full from ii,v lame and leave the point bare?" said the trooper hoarsely. "liven that!" responded the free baron hastily. "I.ais-e*'.-a!ler!" cried the marshals, giving ?lie signal to begin. M? ?ve. in her white box. the process turned pale With bated breath aud parte! lips she "watched the lines sweep forward and. like two great waves meeting. collide with a crash. The (!o-l ilvt ar '-e seemed an all enr.'.rording mist, beneath It the figures appeared, vague, undefined, in a uia .e of utieertainty. "l)h," exclaimed Louise, striving to penetrate the el aid, "he is victorious!" "They have killed him!" said Jacqueline. at the same time staring toward another pari..of the field. "Killed him? What" - began the princess, now risy with excitement. "No; lie has won," added the maid in the next breath as a portion of the obscuring mantle was swept aside. "Of course! Where are your eyes?" rejoined her mistress triumphantly. "The duke is one of the emperor's greatest knights." "In this ease, madam, it is but natural your sight should bo better than tuy own," half mockingly returned the maid. And in truth the princess was right, for the king's guest, through overwhelming strength and greater momentum. had lightly plucked from his seat a stalwart adversary. Others of his following failed not in the '"attaint." and hones and troopers llottndercd ill the sand. Is the lines swept together, with 1 lie Oust rising before. Jacqueline perLike a thunderbolt, steed and rider leaped upon the trooper. ceiveO that the duke's trooper liatl swerved from his course and was bearing down upon the duke's fool. "Oh." she whispered to herself, "the master now retaliates on tiie jester," and held her breath. Ilad lie. too. observed these sudden perfidious tactics? Apparently. Yet he seemed not to shun the issue. "Why does he not turn aside?" thought the maid, "lie might yet do it. A fool and a knight, forsooth!" , Hut the fool pricked his horse deeply. It sprang to the struggle madly. Crash, like a thunderbolt, steed and rider leaped upon the trooper. Then li was Jacqueline had murmured, "They have killed him!" not doubting for a moment that he had sped to destruction. A second swift glance, and through the veil, less obscure, she saw the jester riding, unharmed, his lance unbroken. Had he escaped after all? And the trooper? lie lay among the trampling horses' feet. She saw him now. IIow had it all come about? Her mind was bewildered, hut in spite of the princess' assertion to the contrary her sight seemed unusually clear, i "flood lance, fool!" cried a voice from the king's box. "The jester rides wdl," said another. "The knight's lance even passed over his head, while the fool's struck fairly with terrific force." "But why did he select the jester as an adversary?" continued the first speaker. "Mistakes will happen In the confusion of a melee, and he lias paid for his error." was the answer. And Jacqueline knew that none would be held accountable for the treacherous assault. Now the fool had dismounted, and she observed that he was bending over another jester who had been unhorsed. "Why." she murmured to herself in surprise. "CaWlette! As good a soldier as a fool. Who among the Jesters conld have unseated him?" But her wonderment would have Increased could she have overheard the conversation between the duke's fool and Calllette as the former lifted the other from the sands and assisted him to walk or rather limp to the jesters' pavilion. {to of rovTivmrD.j I witcn me i,ase. "I'd lick him. but I hate to soil my hands on the creature." "Perhaps, too. you don't care to soil your face on his hands." Sure Thing. In "cntinp Joints" you do not tip, In restaurants you may. But woo betide the luckless wtffht Who won't In a cafe. Did She J "lie asked her to marry him." "Did she consent?" "Did she! Didn't you know she was over tlilrty-fl f6't"