Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-12-25

leSQuely adorned Win a COCK S 1ealneT.
In his leathern belt a small vellum
bound book of verses kept company
With dagger. For all his whimsical
appearance the kings keen eyes could
note a something gallant in the car
rage of the scamp, could spy out quail
tiles of manhood beneath the battered
bravery. He poised for a moment ON
the threshold in a fantastic attitude of
salutation ere he slammed the door
behind him and strobe forward to meet
his friends.
We'll. Hearts of Gold, how are ye?'
he cried ioyouslS as he advanced with
head thrown back and open hands ex-
tended. did We miss me, lads; did We
miss me- lasses?"
Abbess Huguette was at his side in
an instant with her arms about his
neck fondling him and fawning upon
him. Surely / missed YOU" she whis-
pered. Where have YOU been, little
monkey"
Master Francois looked at her for
moment with a curious pity Then
gently extficating himself from her
embrace he called out, Give me a wash
of wine for my throats parched with
piping.
Every man thrust his own mug
him to drink of 1T. but he waved them
all aside imperialiy. Nay, l will have
my own he said. Have we no land
lord here? Master Robin, come fther.'
Robin Turgis. who had kept apart up
to now, surveying the new conner With
no excess of favor, moved slowly for
ward with his thumbs In his girdle and
a sour smile on his lat checks. Master
Francois addressed him sterlsly, twitch-
ing as he did SO the landlords greasy
cap from his pate and sending 1t flying
down the room. why do you not ga
lutte gentry when they honor your pot
house? A mug of your best Beaune,
Master Beggar- maker, to drink damna-
ton to the Bun gundians.
Robin Turgi5 made no motion to
obey, but his small eyes seemed to
grow smaller as they stared What
color has money now-a-days Master
Francois?' he asked doggedly. In q
moment the brown, dirty hand of the
poet was clapped to his dagger and
there was something of wolfish snarl
in his voice as he answered menacjng-
ly, THE color of blood sometimes" But
the landlord, unabashed and undis-
mayed, stood his ground.
None of your staggering, Master
Francois he said sturdily. There Is
such a thing as a king in France and
that king name is writ fair on his
coinage. Show me q Louis XII. and Z
will show you my Beaune wine.
The face of Master Francois flushed
under Its CRIME, and he fiddled at his
dagger nervously, as one uncertain
whether ia laugh or cry at the dilemma
which confronted him. Huguette and
Montipny alike had dipped their hands
into their pouches for money to pay
the poets score when to the amaze
ment of Tristan the king forestalled
their kinGnesses. Rising to his feet
with creditable alacrity he advanced
towards Master Francois and saluted
him with a gracious wave of the hand.
sWill you let me be of some small
service to YOU he began politely, and
as villon turned to stare at him in
surprise he continued: VIII You
honor me by drinking that Beaune vine
| our host brags Of at my EXPENSE?
Nillons astonshment had not un-
nerved his clutch at opportunity. Here
Vas god out of a machine. proflefing
/ cool |quol TO dry sullets. Master Fran
COTS gave back the salutation With a
/ mien or splendid condescension, while
! the rest Of the company glared at the
! burgess Who thus thrust himself upon
] them, and Tristan, cuNsi'1g the king for
4 his teineidty, felt for a hidden dagger.
Nillon patronizing wave of the hand
4 WAS magnificent in its cffrontery, and
/ his WORDS matched his gesture nobly.
You are a civil stranger, and VIII
1 so far honor YOU. Louis bowed.
/ left my purse under my pillow this
! morning "a roar of laughter saluted
/ the ancient jape-'ald this ungentle
4 fellow denies ne credit. How rarely
we meet viii. an ale-draper who is also
4 q gentleman
With an unmoyed countenance Louis
listened to Villon's words. Yet the sale
/ of Il thing so noble ought TO beget a
| kind oil nobility in the vendor he said
s