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|j Under By FREDE 1 Author o | Copyrljht, 1005. by the E "Did I not tell you to beware of tho false duke?" muttered CniUetto. not omitting a parenthesis of deceptive groans. "Ah, If It had only been ho Instead!" began tho foot. "Why." Interrupted the seemingly Injured man, "think you to staud up agnlnst the boar of Hoclifels?" "I would I might try!" said the oth er quiCKiy. Your success with the trooper lias turned your head," laughed Cnlllette softly. "One last word. Look to yourself, and fear not for me. Mine injuries. which I surmise are Internal, ns they aro not visible, will excuse me for the day. Nor shall I tarry at the pnlnco for the physician, but go straight on without bolus, simples or pills, a very Mercury for speed. Danger will I eschew, and a pretty maid shall hold me 110 longer than It takes to give her a kis3 In passing. Here, leave me at the tent. Turn back to the field or they will suspect. Trust no one, and?you'll mind It not in a friend, one who would serve you to tins endforget the princess! Serve her, save her, as you will, but remember, women are but creatures of the moment. Adieu, moil ami!" And Caillette turned as one in grievous physical pain to an attendant, bidding him speedily remove the nrmor. while the duke's fool, more deeply stirred than he cared to show, moved again to the lists. CHAl'TEU XIII. 1 OUD rang encomium and blessing on the kiug as the people that night crowded in the rear courtyard around the great tables set In the open air and groaning oencain viuiias uuirmous ana succulent >Vhnt swain or yokel bad not a meed of praise for the monarch when be beheld this burden of good cheer and at the end of each board, elevated a little and garlanded with roses, a rotund and portly cask of wine, with a spigot projecting hospitably tablewnrd? Within the king's pavilion the spectacle alluded to regretfully by the girl and indifferently by the man was at that moment being enacted. Upon a throne of honor the lady of the tournament, attended by two maids, looked down on a brilliant assemblage, through which now approached the king and the princess* betrothed. The latter seemed somewhat thoughtful. His eyo had but encountered tliut of the duke's fool, whose gaze expressed a disdainful confidence the other fain would have fathomed. But for that unfortunate meeting in the lists which had sealed the lips of the only person who had divined the hidden danger the free bnron would now have been master of I the plalsant's designs. Above in the I nnlnoi* tlio trnnnop wIHi ?lio I tuches Iny on his couch unconscious. For how long? The court physician could not say. The soldier might remain luscnsible for hours. Thus had the Jester served himself with thut stroke better than he knew, and ho of Hochfels bit his lip and fumed Inwardly, but to no purpose; not that be believed the peril to be great, but the fact he could not grasp it goaded him, and he cursed the trooper for n dolt jL. and a poltroon that a mere fool should ^ have vanquished him. And so he hud left htm. with a last look of disgust at the silent lips that could not do his bidding, and had proceeded to the royal pavilion, where the final act of the day's drama, more momentous than the king or other spectators realized, was to be performed, an act In which he would have appeared with much complacency but that his chagrin preyed somewhat on his vanity. But his splendid self control and audacity revealed to the courtly assemblage no trace of what was passing in his mind. lie walked by the king's side as one not unaccustomed to such exalted company nor overwhelmed by sudden honors. His cour- I age was superb, his demeanor that of | one born to command; in him seemed . exemplified a type of brute strength uuu lurw ueiiuimg a ieaaer?wiietiier of nn army or a band of swashbucklers. As the monarch and the free baron drew near, the princess slowly, gracefully arose, while now grouped around the throne stood the heralds and pursuivants of the lists. In her hand Louise held the gift, covered with a silver veil, an end of which was carried by each of the mnlds. "Fair lady of the tournament," said the king, "this gallant knight Is Bon Voulolr, whom you have even heard proclaimed the victor of the day." "Approach, Bon Voulolr!" commanded the queen of love. v The maids uncovered the gift, the customary chaplet of beaten gold, and as the frc<? baron bowed bis head the princess with a Arm bond fulfilled the functions of her office. Rising, Bon Voulolr, amid the exclamations of the court, claimed the privilege that went t with the bauble. A moment he looked * at the princess; she seemed to bend l>eneath bis regard; then, leaning forward . deliberately rather than ardently be touched her cheek with his lips. Those who watched the queen of love closely observed her face become paler and her form tremble, but in a moment she was again mistress of herself, her features prouder a ad colder tb&n bo(QC* the Rose RIC S. ISHAM, I "The Strollers" \0 WEN-MERRILL COMPANY "Is It your pleasure to open the festivities, Hire?" murmured the favorite, and without further words Francis acquiesced, proffering his arm to his companion. Masque, costume ball, ballet, it was all one to the king and the court, who never wearied of the diverting vagaries of the dance. Now. studying that pautomlnde group of merrymakers. In the rhythmical expression of action- and movement could almost be rand the Influence and relative positions of the fair revelers. "There, I've danced enough 1" said a panting voice, and Jacqueline, breathless, paused before the duke's fool, who stood a motionless spectator of the revelry. In his rich costume of blue and white the figure of tlio foreign jester presented a fair and striking appearance, but his face, prond and composed, was wanting In that spirit whlcli animated the features of his fellows In motley. "One more turn, fair Jacqueline?" suggested Mnfot, her partner in the dance. "Not one," she answered. "Is that a dismissal?" he asked lightly. " "lis for you to determine." retorted the maid. "Modesty forbids I slionld Interpret it to my desires." he returned, laughing, as he disappeared. Tall, seeming stralghtcr than usual, upon each cheek a festal rose, she stood before the duke's plalsant, inscrutable. as was her fashion, the scarf about her shoulders Just stirring from the effects of the dance and her lips parted to her hurried breathing. "How did you like the ceremony?" she asked quietly. "And did you know," she went on. without noticing the dark look in his eyes or awaiting ills response, "the lance turned upon you today was not a 'weapon of courtesy V* " "You mean It was directed by inton tlon?" he asked indifferently. "Not only that." she answered. "I mean that the disk had been removed and the point left bare." "A mistake, of course," be said, with a peculiar senile. A look of impatience crossed her face, but she gazed at him Intently, and her eyes held his from the lloor, where they would have strayed. "Are you stupid, or do you but profess to be?" she demanded. "Before the tilt I noticed the duke and his trooper tp Iking together. When they separated, the latter, unobserved, as he thought, struck the point of ins weapon against ids stirrup. The disk fell to the ground." "Your glance Is sharp, Jacqueline," he retorted slowly. "Thank you for the Information." Her eyes kindled. An angry retort seemed about to spring from her lips. It was with difficulty she controlled herself to answer calmly a moment later. "You mean It can serve you nothing? Perhaps you are right. Today you were lucky. Tomorrow you may be?what? Today you defended yourself well, and It was a good lance you bore. Had it ueeu any omer jester me King would have praised him. Because it was you no word lias been spoken. If anything, your success has annoyed lilm. Several of the court spoke of it. lie answered not. 'Tis the signal to ignore it and? you!" "Then are you courageous to brave public opinion and hold converse with me?" he repl^d, with a smile. "Public opinion!" she exclaimed, with flashing eyes. "What would they say of a Jestress? Who Is she? What Is she?" She ended abruptly, bit her lips, showing her gleaming white teeth. Then some emotion more profound swept o^er her expressive face. She looked at him silently, and when she spoke her voice was more gentle. I "I cannot believe," she continued thoughtfully, "tbnt the duke told his trooper to do that 'Tis too Infamous. The man must have acted on his own responsibility. The duke could not would not, countenance such baseness." "You have n good opinion of him, gentle mistress," he said in a tone that exasperated her. ''Who has not?" she retorted sharply. "He is as brave as he is distinguished. Farewelll If you served him better and yourself less you"? "Wnnlil onrro mmol # tr* ff vu*\? wv? * v tujnvit uviiVTi ill iUU end?" he Interrupted sntlilcally. "Thanks, good Jacqueline. A woman makes an excellent counselor." Disdainfully she smiled. Her face grew cold. Her figure looked never more erect and Inflexible. "Why," she remarked, "here am I wasting time talking when the music Is playing and every one is dancing. Even now I see a courtier approaching who has thrice Importuned me." And the jestreas vanished in the throng as abruptly as she had appeared. Thoughtfully the duke's fool looked, not after her, but toward a far end of the pavilion where he last bad seen the princess and her betrothed. "Calllette should now be well on his way," be told himself. * "No one has yet missed him, or if they do notice his absence they will attribute it to his injuries." 4rcrund bin, oggmfnn blood w*ns flowers exhaled a commhigling redolcucc; near him a toy-like fountain whispered very softly and confidentially. Through the foliage the figures moved and moved; on the air the music fell aud rose, thin in orchestration, yet brightly penetrating in sparkling dotail. Buoyant were the violins, sportive the flutes, all alive the gitterns, blithesome the tripping arpeggios that crisply fell from the strings of the Joyous harps. The rustling of a gown admonished him he was not alone, and, looking around amid the crimson flowers, to his startled gaze appeared the face of her of whom he was thinking; above the broad, white brow shone the radlaneo of hair, a gold that was almost bronze in that dim light; through the green tangle of shrubbery, n silver slipper. "Ah, It is you, fbol!" she said languidly. It may be lie contrasted the indifference of her tones now with the unconscious softness of her voice when she had addressed him on another occasion?in another garden?for his face flushed and hp would hnvc turned abruptly when? "Ob, you may remain," she added carelessly. "The duke has but left me. lie received a message that the inau hurt In the lists was most anxious to see him." Into the whirl of his refleetlous her words insinuated themselves. Why had the free baron gone to tlio trooper? What made his presence so imperative at the bedside of the soldier that be hnd nhrnntlv nhnnrlrmrwl (lio foalivUinel Surely more than mere anxiety for the man's welfare. The Jester looked at the princess for the answer to these questions, but her face was cold, smiling, unresponsive. In the basin of the fountain tiny fish played and darted. and as his eyes turned from her to them they appeared as swift and illusive as his own surging fancies. "The?duke, madam, is most solicitous about his men," he said in a voice which sounded strangely calm. UA good leader has always in mind the welfare of his soldiers," she replied briefly. Her hand played among the blossoms. Over the flowers she looked at him. Her features and arras were of the sculptured roundness of marble, but the reflection of the roses bathed her In the warm hue of life. As he mot her gaze the illumined pages of a book Boomed turning before Ills eyes. Did she remember? I She could not but perceive his emotion, the tribute of n glance beyond control, despito the proud Immobility of his features. I "Sit bore, fool." she said, not unkindly, "and you may tell me more about the duke, his exploits?of that battle when be saved the life of the emperor." The jester made no move to obey, but, looklug down, answered coldly, "The duke, madam, likes not to have his poor deeds exploited." "Poor deeds!" she returned and seemed about to reply more sharply when something in his face held her silent. Leaning lier head on her hand, she appeared to forget his presence, motionless save for a foot that waved to and fro, betraying her restless mood. puuiiii ul uu U1A.d9, luf BWIlJUlg or the foot, held his attention. In that little bower the air was nhnost stifling, laden with the perfume of many ilowers. Even the song of the birds grew fainter. Only the tiny fouutuin, more assertive than ever, became louder and louder. The princess breathed deeply, half arose. A vine caught in her hair. She stooped to disentangle it, then held herself erect. "How close it is in here!" she murmured, arranging the tress the plant had disturbed. "Co to the door, fool, jtud see if you can And your master." Involuntarily he had stepped toward I her, ns though to assist her, but now ! stopped. His face changed, lie even ! laughed, Tlmt last word from her lips seemed to break the spell of self control that bold him. "My master!" lie said In n hard, scoffing tone. "Whom mean you?the man who left you to go to the soldier? j That blusterer my master! That swaggering trooper!" I Her Inertness vanished. The sudden anger and wonderment In her eyes I met tlio passion in his. I "How dnre you?dare you"? she began. I "He is neither my master nor the duke, but a mere freebooter, a rnountain terrorist." I I'ride and contempt replaced her surprise, but indignation still remained. Ills audacity lu coming to lier with this falsehood, bis hardihood in maintaining it, admitted of but one explanation. By bcr complaisance in the past she had fanned the embers of a passion which now bnrst beyoffl control. She realized how more than fair she looked that evening. Had she not heard it from many? Hail not the eyes of the king's guest told her? And she believed that this lie must liuve sprung to the Jester's lips while he was regarding her. As the solution crossed her mind, revealing the plalsnnt, a desperate and despicable as well as lowly wooer, her face relaxed. In the desire to test her conclusion she laughed quietly, musically. Cruelly kind smiled the princess. xvii uiiiu, o&iv uiiruiiit'u win uy. "You aro mad ? because ? because you"? lie started, studying her eagerly. lie fancied ho read relenting softness in her gaze, a Cash of memory into a past, where glamour and romance and the heart history of the rose made up life's desideratum, wherein existence was but an allegory of love's quest and the goal its consummation. Had she not bent sedulously over the rose of the poet? Had not her breath come quickly, eagerly? Could he not feel It yet, sweet and warm on his cheek? Into, the past, having gone so far, he step ped now boldly, ns though to grasp again those Illusive colors aud wlzo anew the intangible substance. He was but young, when shadows seem solid, when dreams are eorporenl stuff and fantasies, rockllke strata of reality. So he knelt before her. "Yes," he said. "I love you." And he thus remained, pale. Inert, all resentment or jealousy succeeded by a stronger emotion, a feeling chlvulric that bent Itself to a glad thraldom, the desire but to serve her, to save her. Ills heart beat faster. lie raised his head proudly. "Listen, princess." he began. Though I meant it not, I fear I have greatly wrouged you. I have much to ask your pardon for, much to tell you. It Is I? I"? Tlio words died on lil.s lips. From the princess' face all softness had suddenly vanished. Her gaze passed hint, cold, haughty. Across tho Illusory posltlveness of his world, immaterial, psychological, ghostly, an Intermediate orb, a tangible shadow, was thrown, ttchlud him stood the free bnrou and the king. Quickly the fool sprang to his feet. "Princess!" exclaimed the hoarse voice of the master of Ilochfels. "My lord?" For ft moment neither spoke, and then the clear, cold voice of the princess broke the silence. "Are all the fools in your country so presumptuous, my lord?" she said. The king's countenance lightened. He turned bis accusing glance upon the fool. As In a dream stood the latter. The words be would have uttered remained unspokeu. Hut briefly the monarch surveyed him satirically, darkly, then, turning, with a gesture, summoned an attendant. Not until the bands of two soldiers fell upon him did the fool betray any emotion. Then his face changed, and the stunned look !n his eyes gave way to an expression of such unbridled feeling that involuntarily the king stopped back, and the free baron drew his sword. But neither had the monarch need for apprehension nor the princess* betrothed use for his weapon. Some emotion deeper than anger replaced the savage turmoil of the Jester's thoughts as with a Inst fixed look at the princess lie mechanically suffered himself to he led away. Louise's gaze perforce followed him, and when the canvas fell and lie had disappeared she passed a hand across her brow. "Are you satisfied, iny lord?" said the king to the free baron. "The knave lias received his just deBerts, sire," replied the other and. stepping to the princess* side, ruised her hand to his lips. "Mere de Dieu!" cried the monarch, passing his arm in a friendly manner over the free baron's shoulder and addressing Louise. "You will find Robert of Friedwnld worthy of your high trust, cousin." a Without. they were soon whispering It.'" The attendant, who was the Count of Cross, breathed what he knew to the I)uko of Montmorency, who told I)u Relays, who related the story to The uorda died on his lips. Diane de Poitiers, who embellished it for Villot, who carried it to Jacqueline. "Trlboulet has his wish," said the poet-fool half regretfully. "There is one Jester the less." "Where have they taken him?" asked the girl steadily. "Where but to the keep!" "That dungeon of the old castle?" "Well," he returned significantly, "a fool and his Jests, alas, are soon parted! Let us make merry, therefore, while we may. For what would you? Come, mistress?the dnnce"? "No, no, no!" she exclaimed, so passionately he gazed at her in surprise. . CHAPTER XIV. M * IN a mood of contending thought J[ tho free baron left his apartments the next morning and traversed the tapestry liung corridor leading toward the servants' and soldiers' quarters. Following the exposure of the Jester's weakness, his passion for his mistress, Francis, as Villot told Jacqueline, had immediately ordered the fool into strictest confinement, the donjon of the ancient structure. In that darkened cell he had rested overnight, and there ho would no doubt remain indefinitely. Tito king's guest had not been greatly concerned with the Jester's quixotic love for the princess, being little disposed to Jealousy. But to offset his satisfaction that the Jester lay under restraint he took in bad part the trooper's continued insensibility which deprived him of the much needed information. When ho had repaired to the bedside of tho soldier the night before be had only his trip for his pains, as the man bad JUOfc AttU) UBMBKlOQIIWH BbOftfcd . - h. . C ? - ' i" --- ' '* *? - ^ I ly before his coming. Thus the free bnrou was still in Ignorance of the person to whom the fool had betrayed him. With n firm step the king's guest entered the chamber of the injured soldier. Upon u narrow bed lay the trooper. his uiustachios nppenring unusually red and fierce against his now yellow, washed out complexion. As the free baron drew near the couch a tall figure arose from the side of the lied. "How is your patient, doctor?" said the visitor shortly. "Low," returned the other laconically. This person wore a black gowu, n pair of huge broad rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of a thin, long uose, and In his clawlike fingers he held a vial, the contents of which he stirred slowly. His aspect was that of living sorrow and melancholy. "lias he been conscious again?" asked the caller. "He lias e'en lain as you sco him," replied the wearer of the black robe. "His days are numbered." quoth thefree baron to himself, staring forward. But as he spoke he imagined ho saw the rod mustaclilos move, while one eye certainly glared with intelligent hatred upon the doctor and turned with anxious solicitude upon his master. The latter immediately kuelt by the bedside and laid Ids hand upon the already cold one of the soldier. "Speak!" he said. It was the command of an officer to a trooper, an authoritative bidding, and seemed to summon a last rullying energy from the failing heart. The man's gaze showed that he understood. From the free baron's eye flashed a glance of savage power and force. "Speak!" he repeated cruelly, imperatively. The mustaclilos quivered; the leader bent his head low, so low his face almost touched the soldier's. A voicewas It a voice, so falut it sounded?? breathed a few words: "The emperor ? Spain ? Caillette gone!" Soberly tlie king's guest walked down the echoing stairway out into the open air of the court. The emperor In Spain? It seemed not unlikely. If the emperor had gone to Spain a messenger. riding posthaste, could reach Charles in time to enable that mop- j a roil to interpose in tlie nuptials and override the confidence the free baron had established for himself In the court of Francis. An impediment offered by Charles would be equivalent to the abandonment of the entire marital enterprise. Pausing before a massive arched doorway that led into a wing of the castle where the free baron knew the lesters and certain of the gentlemen of the chamber lodged, the master of " v-hfels. in answer to his inquiries from n servant, learned that Calllette had not been in his apartments since tbo day before; that he had ridden from the tournament ostensibly to return to liis rooms, but nothing had been heard of him since. No further doubt remained in his mind that the duke's plalsant had sent a comrade in motley to the emperor, and ns lie would not have Inspired a mere fool's errand Charles without question was in Spain, several days nearer to the court of the French monarch than the princess' betrothed had presumed. Calllette had now been four and twenty hours on his Journey. It would be useless to attempt pursuit as the Jester was a gallant horsemen, trained to the hunt. Such a man would be indefatignbie in the saddle, and the other realized that, strive as be might. he could never overcome the handicap. Then of what avail was one fool in the dungeon, with a second on the road? Should he abandon his quest, be driven from his purpose by a nest of motley meddlers? The idea never seriously entered his mind, lie would Qght it out doggedly upon the field of Jeception. But how? Slop by step the kiug's guest had left the palace behind him until the surrounding shrubbery shut it from view, but the path, sweeping onward with graceful curve, brought him suddenly to a beautiful chateau. Lost In thought, he gazed within the flowering ground at the ornate architecture, the marble statues and the little lake in whose pellucid depths were mirrored a thousand beauties of that chosen spot, an improved Eden of the laudscape gardeuer wherein resided the CountesS" d'Etampes. "Why," thought the free baron, brightening abruptly, "that chance which served me last night, which forced the trooper to speak today, now , lias led my stupid feet to the soothsayer." Within u much begilt and gorgeous bower be soon found himself awaiting patiently the coming of the king's favorite. Upon a tiny chair of gold too fragile for his bulk the caller meanwhile Inspected the ceilings and walls of this dainty domicile, mechanically striving to decipher a painted allegory of Venus and Mars or Helen and Paris or the countess and Francis, he could not decide precisely its purport, when she floated Into the room, dressed in some diaphanous stuff, a natural ac companiment to the other decorations, her dishabille a positive note of modesty amid the vivid colorings and graceful poses of those tributes to love with which Primntlccio and other Italian artists had adorned this bower. "IIow charming of you!" vaguely raurmered the lady, sinking lightly up on a settee. "What an early riser you must be, duke!" Although It was then but two hours from noon, the visitor confessed himself open to criticism In this regard. "And you as well, madam," he added, "must plead guilty of the same fault. One can easily see you have been out in the garden and," be blundered on. "stolen the tints from the roses." Sharply the countess looked at him, but read only an honest attempt at a coB^Uoeat "TT?I II ' . ? Why." rIio said, "you are becoming as great a flatterer as the rest of tbeui. But. confess now. you did not call to tell ine that?" % ' No, madam," lie answered, taking credit to himself for his diplomacy. "It Is not uecessary that truth should be premeditated. I had a serious purpose in seeking you. Of all the court yon alone can assist me. It Is to you only I can look for aid. Knowing you generous, I have ventured to come." "You interest me," she laughed. "It must be u pressing euiergeucy when you bouor me?so early In the day." "It Is. madam," he replied, "very pressing to me. I want the wedding day changed." "Changed!" she exclaimed, staring at him. "Deferred?" "No; hastened, madam. It Is too long to wait. Go to the king; ask him to shorten the Interval; to set the day sooner. I beg of you. madam!" "Oh, this Is delicious!" purred the countess. "I will be your messenger, your advocate, and will plead your cause and will win your case. But what about the prluccss? What will she say when"? "It shall be my task to persuade her. I am sure she will consent," returned the suitor. "Perhaps you have spoken to her already?" asked the countess. "No. madam; without your assistance, of what use would be her willingness?" "What a responsibility you place on my weak shoulders!" cried the other. "However, I will not shift the burden. I will go to Ilia majesty at once. And do you go to the princess." "At your command." he replied aud took his departure. CHAPTER XV. iTII his arms behind him, the duke's fool moved as best lie rjjri- might to and fro within the nnirnw onnttnos of lilq 1 111 Tlie events which had led to his incarceration were so recent he had hardly yet brought himself to realize their full significance. Neither Francis' anger nor the free baron's covert satisfaction during the scene following their abrupt appearance in the bower of roses had greatly weighed upon him. but not so the altitude of the princess. How vividly all the details stood out in his brain?the sudden transitions of her manner; her seeming Interest In his passionate words; her eyes, friendly, tender, as ho had once known them, then portentous silence, frozen disdain! Into the marble-like pallor of her face a faint flush had seemed to Insinuate Itself, but the words had dropped easily from her lips. "Are all the fools of your country so presumptuous, my lord?" Above tho other distinctive features of that tragic night to the plalsnnt this question had reiterated Itself persistently in the solitude of his ceil. From her height could she not have spared him the scorn and contempt of j her question? Over and over through die long hours he had asked himself that, and as he brooded the Idealization with which he had ndorned her fell like an enshrouding drapery to the dust. Of the vestment of fancy nothing but tatters remained. A voice without, harsh, abrupt, broke In upon the Jester's thoughts. A key was Inserted in the lock, and, with a creaking of bolts and groaning of hinges, the warder swung back the iron barrier. Upon the threshold stood the commanding figure of the free baron. A moment he remained thus and then, with an authoritative gesture to the man. stepped inside. The turnkey withdrew to a discreet distance, where he remained within call, yet beyond the range of ordinary conversation. Immovably the king's guest gazed upon the'^-ter. who. unabashed, calmly endured the scrutiny. "Well, fool." began the free baron bluntly, "how like you your quarters? You fought me well?In truth, very well. lint you labored under a disadvantage. for one thing Is certain?a jester In love Is doubly a fool." "Is that what j*ou have come to say?" asked the plalsant. his bright glance fastened on the other's confident face. "I came to return the visit you once mude me," easily retorted the master of Iloclifcls. "By this time you have probably learned I am an opponent to be feared." "As one fears the assassin's knife or a treacherous onslaught," said the fool. irrvt.i * i. ?* ? xyiu i uui eiiy wueu you lert tuat nlglit the truce was over?" returned the king's guest, frowning. "True," was the Ironical answer. "Forewarned, forearmed. And tiiat Bort of warfare was to he expected." "Well," unreservedly replied the free baron, who for reusous of his own chose not to challenge the affront, "In those two Instances you were not worsted. And, as for the trooper who attacked you. I know not whether your lance or the doctor's lancet Is responsible for his taking off. But you met him with true nttaint. You would have made a good soldier. It Is to be regretted you did not place your fortune with mine, uut it 18 too late now." "Yes," answered tlic plaisant, "It Is too late." (to bk cosrrrtntD.1 Often Happens. It really seems a pity That after many moons A youth bo full of promise Should turn out full of prunes. If n girl's mother teaches her to keep house ulie never worries about ths girl lest she run away with a thirty cent man. Look out for the small woman every time. Dangerous goods usually come In small lots. Some forms of Insanity are often geulun under a cloud. 0