University of South Carolina Libraries
* I Under fejjgl By FRED] ! Author ! Copyright. 1005. by the i ' ' The Jester, too. was silent, but ills mtiul dwelt upon the future nud its hazards. He little liked their meeting with the false monk. Why was the Franciscan traveling in their direction? In the fading light fool and Jestress drew rein and, moved by the same purpose, looked about them. On the one hand was the deserted, desolate plain, over which lay a sullen, gathering mist; on the other, the Bombroua obscurity of the wood. Everywhere on ominous alienee nud overhead the cresceut growing In luster. ^ "Do you see any nlgn of house or inn?" said the girl, peering afar down the I'oad, which soon lost Itself In the gcerrl monotony of the landscape. ".Vcne. mistress. The country 6ccm<3 rlthe brrrrti of farmhouse and tavern." "What shall we do? 1 am full weary," she eoufessed. "The forc.it offers the best protectiou," he reluctantly suggested. Little as he favored delay, he realized the wisdom of sparing their horses. Moreover, lief appeal was irresistible. Slie pazeil half dubiously Into that woody depth. "Why not rest by the wayside?In the moonlight?" "I like not the open rend." ho answered. "But if you fear the darkness"? For answer she guided her horse to the verge of the forest and lightly sprang to the ground. Upon a grassy knoll but a little way within he spread bis cloak. "There, Jacqueline, Is your couch," he said. "But you?" she asked. "To rob you thus of your cloak seems ill comradeship." "The clonk Is yours," he returned. "As It Is, you will find It but a hard bed." "It will -seem soft as down." she replied nnd seated herself on the hillock. In the gloom lie could just distinguish the outline of her figure, with her elbow 011 her knee and her hair blacker thnn the shadows themselves. X long drawn, moaning sound, coming with.out warning behind lier, caused the girl to turn. "What Is that?" she snld quickly. "The wind, Jacqueline. It Is rising." As he spoke, like a monster it entered the forest. About them branches waved nnd tossed. A friendly star seen through the boughs lost itself behind a cloud. Yet no rain fell and the air seemed hot nnd dry despite the mists which clung to the ground. A crash of thunder or a flash of lightning would have relieved that sighing dolor which filled the little patch of timber with Its melancholy sounds. Suddenly above the plaint nnd murmur of wind and forest the low, clear voice of the girl arose. The melody was no ballud, arietta or pastoral, such as he hud before heard from her lips, but n simple hymn, the setting by Calvin. $ The Jester started. How came she to know that forbidden music 1 Not only to know, but to sing it as he had never heard It sung before. Sweetly It vibrated, her waywardness sunk In rts swelling rhythm, Its melody freighted with the treasure of her trust. As he listened he felt she was betraying to him the hidden well of her faith, the secret of her religion? that she, his companion, was proclaiming herself a heretic and therefore doubly an outcast. A stanza and the melody died away on the wings of the tempest. His heart was beating violently. He looked expectant toward her. Even more gently, like a lullaby to the turbulent night, the full mensured cadence of the majestic psalm was again heard. Then another voice, deeper, fuller, blended with that of the first singer. Unwavering sho continued the song, as though It had been the most natural maUfll he should Join his voice with Fainter fell the harmony, then ^ffased altogether?a hymn destined to become interwoven with terrible memories, the tragic mnssacro of the Huguenots on the ill fated night of 8t Bartholomew. Again prevailed the tristful- dirge of the pines. "You sing well, mistress," said the Jester softly. "Is It true you are one of a hated #nt?" "As tt?? as that you did not deny the hernBh volume fnnn*l In mn? replied. JBRnce ensued between them. "It was Mnrot placed the horses there for ns," she snld nt length. "He, too, is a heretic and would have saved you." Thereafter the silence remained unbroken for some moments, and then "God keep you, mistress," he snld. " "God keep you," she answered soft5'/ ly. Soon her deep breathing told him she Xwasg simp log, and as he listened in fanp* he could hear the faint echoes of herfjjfolce. accompanied by the sighing wIemL How intrepid bad she seemed! How helpless was She now! And as he k bent over her, divining, yet not seeing, |[<& he asked himself whence had come p. ^ this faith in him, that, like a child, she slumbered amid the unrest of nature. What had her life been, who her friends, that she should thus have chosen a jester as comrade? What bad driven her forth from the court to nameless hazards? Had he surmised correctly? Was It? "The king," she murmured, with snddeiLmtlsssnssaliUes sleep. ' the Rose ERIC S. ISHAM, of "The Stroller*" UO WEN-MERRILL COMPANY "Tlie king," she repealed with nvcrsion. I In the Jester's breast upleaped n fierce anger. This was the art loving monarch who burned the fathers and brothers of the new faith; this the righteous ruler who condemned men to death for psalm singing or for listening to grave discourse; this the Christian kUrc, the brilliant patron of science and Earning. | The storm bad sighed itself to rest, the stars had come out, but, leaning , | with his back against a tree, the fool still kept vigil. CHAPTER XIX. E*" "XPERIENCING no further inconvenience tliav the ordlna5S35S54 rv vicissitudes of trnvolhur BP without litter or cavulcade, several dnys of wanderlug slowly passed. Few people they met, and those for the most part various types of vagabonds and nomads. As It minimized their risk the young girl was content to wear the cap of the jestress piquantly perched upon her dark curls, thereby suggesting nn indefinable nihility with vagrancy and the itinerant fraternity. Not only had she donned the symbol of her olllee, but she endeavored to act up to It, accepting the sweet with the sour, with ever a jest at discomfort and concealing weariness with a smile. Often the fool wondered at her endurance and her calm courage in the face of peril, for, although they met with no misadventures, each day seemed fraught with jeopardy. It appeared a brave effort to bear up under continued hardship?insufficient rest and sharp riding?and the jester reproached himself for thus taxing her strength. But often when he suggested a pause she would shake her head willfully, assert she wus not tired and ride but the 1 faster. "No, no!" she would say. "If we Would escape we must keep on. We can rest afterward." "Where do you wish to go?" he asked lier once. "Thero Is time enough yet to spcnlc of that," she returned evasively. "You have some plan, mistress?" . "Perhaps." Half shyly she looked at him beneath 1 her dark lashes as if to read how deeply he was annoyed and, seeing his face clear, laughed lightly. "What are you laughing at, mistress?" he said. "If I knew I could tell," she replied. Toward sundown on the fourth day they came to a lonely Inn set in a clearing on the verge of a forest. They hud ridden late in the moonlight the night before and all that morning and afternoon almost without resting, and the first sight of the solitary hostelry was not unwelcome to the weary fugitives. A second inspection of the 1 place, however, awakened misgivings. The building seemed the better adapt1 ed for n fortress than u tavern, being ucnviljr t'UUBirUl'll'U, "Willi IllllSSlVe doors nnd bliuds and loopholes above. A brightly painted sign, the Hooks' Ilannt, waved cheerily. It Is true, above J the door, as though to disarm suspicion, but the Isolated situation of the inn and the depressing sense of the surrounding wilderness might well cause the wayfarer to hesitate whether to tarry there or continue his journey. A glance at the pale face and unnaturally bright eyes of the girl brought the Jester, however, to a quick decision. Springing from his horse, he held 1 out his hand to assist her; but, overcome by weakness or fatigue, she ' would have fallen had he not sustained her. Quickly she recovered and, with a faint flush mantling her white cheek, withdrew from his grasp, while at the same tlmo the landlord of titc tavern came forward to welcome his guests. I In appearance mino host was round , nnd Jovial. His bulk bespoke hearty living, his rosy face reflected good I cheer, his stentorian voice free nnd easy hospitality. Ills eyes constituted the only setback to this general impression of friendliness and fellow feeling. They were small, twinkling, glassy. "Good even to you, gentle folk," he ' said. "You tarry for the night, I take it." "If you have suitable accommodations," answered the Jester, reassured by the man's aspect and manner. "The Hooks' Haunt never yet turned away a weary traveler," answered the landlord. "You come from the pal "Yes," briefly, as a lad led away their horses. | "And have done well? Reaped n harvest from the merry lords and ladles?" "There were many others there for that pnrpose," returned the Jester, following the proprietor to the door of the hostelry. "True. Still I'll warrant your fair companion cozened the silver pieces from the pockets of the gentry." And, smiling knowingly, he ushered them into the principal living room of the tavern. It was a smoke begrimed apartment, with tables next to the wall and rough chairs and benches for the guests. I Heavy pine rafters spanned the eell' l UUEt Xtio Aoor .WM_JWrihHed Jrttt sand. From a chain bang a wrought Iron frame for candles. Upon a shelf a row of battered tankards, suggesting many a bout? shone dully, like a lino of war worn troopers, while a g*oat pewter pitcher, the worse fof wear, commanded the disreputable array. , In this room was gathered n nondescript company?mountebanks and buffoons; rogues unclassified, drinking and dicing; a robust vagrant, at whoso feet slept a performing bonr with a ( riug?badge of servitude?through its j nose; a black bearded, shaggy haired Spanish troubadour with attire so rugged and Worn as to have lost its i erstwhile picturesque characteristics. This last far from prepossessing i worthy half started from his sent upon the appearance of fool and Jestress. stared nt them and then resumed his place and the ballad he had been singing. Watching the nimble Augers of the shabby minstrel with pitiably childish expression of amusement'.- a half Imbecile morio leaned upon the table. "Hi* huge form?for he was a giant among stalwart mou? and his great moon 1 shaped head mudc him at once an ob- i jccfc&ideous and miserable to contem- < plute. But the poor creature seemed unaware of his own deformities and smiled contentedly and patted the i table caressingly to the sprightly rhythm. (.lazing upon this cholct assemblage, i the plnisaut was vaguely conscious j that some of the curious and uncom- i mon faces seemed familiar, and the i picture of the Franciscan uiouk whom they had overtaken on the road recurred to him. together with the mis- < givings ho had experienced upon part- I ing from that canting kunve. lie half i ovnoctfvl tft Vimnf In In I.?? %v *1 unvi.ivt n; uuui iici I voice, and was relieved that the gypsy i 011 this occasion did not make one of 1 the unwonted gathering. The landlord, observing the fool's discriminating gaze and?reading something of 1 what was passing in his mind, reassuringly motioned the newcomers to 1 an unoccupied corner and by his manner sought to allay such mistrust as the appearance of his guests was calculated to inspire. As the darkness gathered without, *' the merriment increased within. Over the scene the dim light cast an uncer- 1 tain luster. Indefatigably the dicers pursued their pastime, with now and then an audible oatli or muttered iuiprecatlou which belled that docility mine host had boasted of. The troubadour played and the morio yet listened. Several of a group who had been singing now sat iu sullen silence. Suddenly one of them uttered a broken sentence, and his fellows immediately turned their eyes toward the corner where were fool and jestress. This ripple of interest did not escape the young girl's attention, who said uneasily: "Why do those men look at us?" "One of them spoke to the others," replied the jester. "He called utteution to something." "What do you suppose it was?" she asked curiously. "Gladius gemmatus!" ("The jeweled sword.") Whence came the voice? Near the couple, iu a shadow, sat a woebegone looking man who had been holding a book so close to his eyes as to conceal his face. Now he permitted the volume to fall, and the jester uttered an exclamation of surprise as he looked upon those pinched, worn, but well re- . mem bored features. , "The scamp student!" ho said. Immediately the reader buried his ( head once more behind the book and spoke aloud in Latin ns though quot- , ing some passage which he followed | with his finger, "Did you understand?" , "Yes," answered the plalsunt, apparently speaking to the Jestress, whose J face wore n puzzled expression. The scamp student laid the volume '( on the table. "These men are outlaws , and intend to kill you for your jeweled -1 sword," he continued' iu the language ( Horace, ( "Why do you tell me this?" asked the fool iu the same tongue, now nddressiyg directly the scholar. "Because you spared my life once I would serve you now." "What's all this monk's gibberish about?" cried an angry voice as the master of the boar -stepped toward , them. "A discussion between two scholars," | readily answered the scamp student. "Why don't you talk in a language we understand?" grumbled the man. ] "Latin is the tongue of learning," was the humble response. , "I like not the sound of it," retorted , ill A aHiAI* no ho t?ot IHO/1 A tnnce, however, he continued to cast | suspicious glances In their direction. Bewildered, the girl looked from one of ] the nlleged controverters to the other. , Who was this starveling the Jester seemed to know? Again were they conversing In the language of the monastery, and their colloquy led to a conclusion as unexpected as It was star- ( tling. "What If we leave the Inn now?" 1 asked the Jester. "They would prevent you.". "Who is the lender?" i "The mas with the boar," answered i the scamp student. "But it is the morio who usually kills their victims." i "Is there no woy of escape?" the Jester asked. I "Alas! I can but warn, not advise," said the scholar. "Already the leader .; suspects me." A half shiver ran through him. In < the presence of actual and seemingly i assured death he had appeared calm, resigned, a Socrates In temperament; oviore me mere prospect or danger the apprehensive thief and fugitive ele- i ments of bis nature uprose. "Yes; I am sure I have put my own neck in it," he muttered. "I must devise a way to save it. I hnve it. We must seem to quarrel." And, rising, he i closed bis book deliberately. ] "Fooir Klft. U*. A UttlB "Your argument Is ns scurvy as your Ijitln. Tlion, a philosopher, a book- | less. shallow dabbler! So I treat you mid your reasonings!" Whereupon, with a quick gesture, ho threw the dregs of his glass In the face of (lie Jester. So suddenly and unex- i pcctedly was It done the other sprang ! angrily from Ills seat and half drew i Ids sword. A moment they stood thus, the fool with his hand menacingly up- 1 on the hilt, the scamp scholar continu- ' lug to confront him with undiminished volubility. | "Make a ring for two uionks, my musters," cried the man with the boar. "Then let each state his case with bludgeon or dagger." " With bludgeon or dagger!" echoed Ihe excited voice of the inorlo, whose appearance had undergone a transformation. The Indescribable vacancy with which he had listened to the minstrel was replaced by au expression of revolting malignity. The jea^rcss half arose, her face onco more white, her dark eyes fastened on the fool. I But the latter, realizing the purpose oT the affront and the actual . Bcrvice'the scamp student liad rendered him. Unexpectedly thrust back his blade. * ? , "I'll not tight a puny hookworm." be sn'.d and resumed his scat, although ' his cheek.was Hushed. x/usupuoiuii'u ju in?s tmue outcome I of an affair which hail so spirited a be- ' ginning, tlie company, with derisive tseoflftng niul muttered sarcasm, re- i suiiied their places; nil save the morlo, | who stood.glaring upon tlie Jester. "Stab, sfiili!" lie muttered through his ' dry lips. And nt that moment the trou- j bad on r placed a few chords on his in- i strument, . The passion faded from the creature's face. Quietly lie turned and Bought the chair nearest to the minBtrcl. "Sing,'master." lie said. "DIable,":thou art an insatiable nionBter!" grunililed the troubadour. "Insatiable!" smilingly repeated the . Btrnnge being. " 'If you went n!so, ma douce miette, The Joys of heaven I'd foreRo To have you with mc there below," Said Aucasslu to Nicolcttc," Boftly sang the troubadour. Over tho gathering a marked conBtrnint appeared to fall. More eoberly ? ftj I / > / I A moment then stood thus. the men sliook their dice; the scamp Btiuleut took tip liis book, but eveu Horace seemed not to absorb liis tmdivided attention; a mountebank attempted several tricks, but failed to : amuse liis spectators. The candles, I burning low, began to drip, and the Bervunt silently replaced them. Beneath lowering brows the master of 1 tlie boar moodily regarded tlie young girl, whose face seemed cold niul dis- i dainful in tlie flickering light. The plaisant addressed a remark to lier, but she did not answer, and silently he watched the shadow on the floor of the chandelier swinging to and fro I like n wavimr sword. "Will you have something more, goocl-j fool?" suid the insinuating and unexpected voice of the host at the plaisunt's elbow. "Nothing." "You were right not to draw," continued the bonlfoce, with a sharp look. "What could a jester do witl^ the blade? I'll warrant you do not know how to use It?" "Nay," answered the fool, "I kuow how to use it not?and save my neck." Mine host nodded approvingly. "Ha, a merry fellow!" he said. "Come, drink ngnln. 'Twill make you sleep." "I have better medicine than thnt," retorted the Jester and yawned. "Ah, weariness. I'll warrant you'll rest like a log," he added as he moved away. At that some one who had been listening laughed, but the fool did not look up. A great clock began to strike with harsh clangor, and Jacqueline suddenly arose. At the same time the minstrel, stretching his arms, strolled to the door and out into the open air. "(lood night, mistress," said the harsh voice of the master of the boar, as his glittering eyes dwelt upon her grnceful figure. The girl responded coldly nnd, amid a hush from the company, made her way to the stairs, which she slowly mounted, preceded by the lad who had waited upon them and followed by tbe jester. At the end of tiie passage the guide of Jestress and fool paused before n door. "Your room, mistress," be said. "And yonder Is yours. Master Jester." Then, placing the candle on a stand and vouchsafing no further words, he Bhufficd off li^the darkness, leaving the two standing there. "Lock your door this night, Jacqueline," whispered the fool. "You submit overenslly to an affront," was her scornful retort, turning upon the Jester. pfclegmattcallj. , "Yet forget not the bolt." "It were more protection than you are apt to prove," she answered, and quickly entering the rootu closed hard the door. A moment he stood In indecision, then rapped lightly. "Jacqueline," lie said in a low voice. There was 110 answer. "J aequelino!" The bolt shot sharply into place, fastening the door. No other response would she make, and the jester, after waiting In vain for ljor to speak, turned and made his way to his own chamber, adjoining hers. Weary as the young girl was, she did not retire at once, but, going to the window, threw wide open the blinds. Itrlght shone the moon, and, leaning forth, she gazed upon clearing and forest sleeping beneath the soft glamour. A beautiful, yet desolate scene, with not a living object visible?yes, one, and she suddenly drew back, for there, motionless In the full light and gazing steadfastly toward her room, stood a figure in whom she recognized the Spanish troubadour. CHAPTER XX. SURVEYING his room carefully in the dim light of a caukRLvj-jn die, the fool discovered ho stood in a small apartment with a single window, whose barren furnishings consisted of a narrow couch, a chair and a massive war<t. robe. Unlike the chamber assigned to Jacqueline, the door was without key or bolt, a significant fact to the jester, in view of the warning he had received. Nor was it possible to move wardrobe or bed, the first being too ^icavy and the last being screwed to the floor, had the occupant desired to barricade himself from the anticipated danger without. A number of suspicious stains enhanced the grewsome character of the room, and as these appeared to lead to the wardrobe, the jester carried his investigation to a more careful survey of that imposing piece of furniture. Opening the door, although lie could not find the secret of the mechanism, the fool concluded that the floor of this ponderous wooden receptacle was a trap through which the body of the victim could be secretly lowered. This brief exploration of his surroundings occupied but a few moments, and then, aSter blowing out the candle and heaping the clothes together on the bod into some resemblance of a human figure lying there, the jester drew his sword and softly crept down the passage toward the stairs, at the head of which he paused and listened. He could hear the voices and see the shadows of the men below and, with beating heart, descended a few steps that he might catch what they were saying. Crouching against the wall, with bated breath, he heard first the landlord's tones. "Well, rogues, what say you to another sack of wine?" asked the host cheerily. "Haven't we waited long enough?" said an impatient voice. "Tut, tut, young blood!" growled another reprovingly. "Would you disturb him at his prayers?" "The landlord is right," spoke up the leader. "We have the night before us. Bring the wine." In stentorian tones the host called the serving man, and soon from the clinking of cups, the clearing of throats and the exclamations of satisfaction foully expressed the listening jester knew that the skin had been circulated and the tankards filled. "Where, think you, he got the swordV" asked one of the gathering, reverting to the enterprise in hand. "Stole it, most likely," replied the leader. "It Is booty from the palace." "And therefore Is doubly fair spoils," laughed another. "ltemeuiber, rogues," Interrupted the host, "one-third is my allotted portion. Else we fall out." "Art so solicitous, thou corpulent scrimp!" grumbled he of the boar. -"Have you not always had the hulking share? Pass the wine!" "Foul napies break no bones," laughed the host. "You were always a churlish, ungentle knave. There's the wine. An it's not better than your temper, beshrew me for the enemy of true hospitality. But to show I am none such, here's something to sup withal?prime head of culf. Bolt and swig os ye will." The rattle of dishes and the play of forks succeeded this good natured suggestion. It was truly evident mine host commanded the good will and the services of the band by uppeuling to their uppetites. A wave of anger against this unwieldy hypocrite and well fed mulefactor swept over the Jester. The man's assumed henrtiness, his manner of Joviality and good fellowship were only the mask of moral turpitude and blackest purpose. But for the lawless scholar the fool would probnbly have retired to his bed with full confidence of the probity and honesty of the greatest delinquent of them all. iv uui hmi11 ww uu who me girrr' asked one of the outlaws. "Serve her the same as the fool," answered the landlord carelessly. "But she's a handsome wench," retorted the leader thoughtfully. "Straight as a poplar; eyes like a sloe. With the boar and the Jade I should do well when I become tired resting here." "Give her to the scamp student," remarked the fellow who bad first spoken. "Nay, since Nanette ran off with a street singer and left me spouseless I have made a vow of celibacy," hastily answered the piping voice of the lunk scholar. A series of loud guffaws greeted tho scamp student's declaration, while the subsequent rough humor of the knaves made the listener's cheek burn with indignation. "fcRSPgh^ roguVi9 * ????i9 * [ with the Jester first. Afterward It will . be time enough to ileal with the muld. Hast done feeding and tippling yet, inorio?" i "Yes, master." said the suspiciously muffled voice of the Imbecile. "Here's the knife then. You shall have another tankard when you come back." At these significant words, knowing that the crucial moment had come, the 1 Jester retreated rapidly and, making his way down the passage, stood In a dark corner near his room. As of one accord the voices oeased below, a heavy creaking announced- the approach of the inorio; nearer and nearer. first on the stairs, then in the upper corridor. From where he remained concealed the fool dltnly discerned the figure of the would he assassin. At the door of the jestress' room It paused. The fool lifted his blade; the form passed on. Before the chamber of the plaisant Its movement became mire stealthy; It bent and listened. Should the jester spring upon It ; now? A strange loathing made him hesitate, and, before he had time to carry his purpose Into execution, the creature, throwing aside further pretense of caution, swung back the door i and launched himself across the npartl ment. A heavy blow, swiftly followed by another; afterward, the stillness of death. Every moment the jestec expected an outcry, the announcement of the fruitlessness of the attack, but the inorio i made no sound. The silence beenme i oppressive. The plaisant felt almost j irresistibly impelled toward that ter: rlble chamber, when with heavy, luin| boring steps the creature reappeared, traversed the hall like a huge automa. ton and mechanically descended the stairs. "Well, Is it done?" asked the harsh voice of the master of the boar. "Yes, done!" was the submissive answer. "Good! Now to get the sword." "Not so fast," broke in the landlord. "Do you kill, morio, without drawing blood? Look at his dagger." The lender took the blade, examined it and then began to call down curses on the head of the imbecile monster. "Clean, save for a thread of cotton," he cried angrily. "You never went near him." "Yes, yes, master," replied the creature eagerly. "Bah! You stabbed the bed, fool, not the man," roughly returned the other. "The rogue has guessed our purpose and left the room," he continued, addressing the others. "But he's skulking somewhere. Well, knaves, here's a little coursing for us all. T'p with you, morio, and tind him. 1'erhaps, though, he may prefer to come down." And the leader called out, "(live yourself up, rascal, or it will bo the worse for you." To this paradoxical throat no answer was returned. "You won't answer?" cried the lender, after a short interval. "Smell him out then, rogues" Knife in hand, the others at his heels, the morio slowly made ills way up the stairs, (loaded by the taunts of the outlaws, his face was distorted with ferocity; through his lips cnme u tterce, sibilant breathing; in the dim light his colossal figure and enormous head seemed in nowise human, but rather a murderous phantasm. "Oh, oh!" murmured a voice behind the jester, and, turning, he saw Jacqueline. Disturbed by the tumult and the loud voices, the jestress had left her room to learn the cause of the unusual din, and now, with her dark hair a cloud around her, stood gazing fearfully over the fool's shoulder. At the sound of the young girl's voice so near, the plaisant's hand. ?nicu ior ino moment Hart been unsteady, became suddenly steel. Almost impatiently lie awaited tbe coming of the morio. At last he drew near, but, as If instinctively realizing the ifcrosenec of danger, paused, his arm ceasing to strike, but remaining stationary In the air. "Go on!" Impatiently shouted thoso behind him. (to be continued.] The Knrllent Mummer*. Mumming is derived from the Danish lnuiumr, a mask, disguise, and took its origin from the ancient Itoman Saturnalia. In early English times It was the custom to indulge in burlesqjio sports after dinner on Christmas day. when masked performers, called mummers, would disport before the assembled guests. This custom Is still kept up in some parts of England, specially in Northamptonshire, where the villagers go about during the Christmas holidays from house to house, personating several ridiculous characters In their mock play. Belief* About Wave*. The Persians believe that the waves of the Persian gulf are caused by air entering caves which have subterranean outlets under the ocean. One of the most curious beliefs of all?one closely akin to a certain ancient oriental hell belief?Is that of the south sea islanders. According to their notion, the rolling of the sea Is caused by a "thunder trod." In old tlmoo !?! "thunder Rod" killed the chief deity of the islands and was confined under the ocean as a punishment. Ills rolling with rage causes the waves. Ma*lr?l Flali of Ceylon. Every hay and inlet on the coast of Ceylon abounds with musical fish. Their song, if It can he called a song. Is not one sustained note like a bird's, but a multitude of tiny, soft, sweet sounds, each clear and distinct In Itself, something like the vlbrat'ons of a wineglass when Its rim is rubbed with the moistened finger. In the harbor at BomKna* ?** - uuj, imiia, uicre is a nsu wun a song like the sound produced by an aeolian , ban?. - . . r . \ i. - \.i. , i .