Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-12-20

away towards his cellar, Tristan met
the kings condsmnatory frown square7
~. -,
your service" he said, Il want 10 s@Nt
my throat and stomach
Louis made no answer and w~i
mournfully silent until the obese land
lord returned with the m~uch-vaunted
vintage, which he set down on the table
with a brace of goblets. Louis fumb.eo
with reluctant fingers In his pouch, eS-
tracted the exact amount necessary fol
paymen and dropped 1. into the ia
paw Of Robin Turgis. But Robin lin
gered, and Louis, looking at him In
surprise, met the ~admonishing glare OF
Tristan. "Give him a penny for him
self" Tristan whispered, and the king,
with an unwillingness he was at no
pains to conceal, added the demanded
drink money TO the other coins. and
eyed the departing back of the land
lord with well-defined aversion. You
are generous with other peoples pen
MES. friend" he snapped at his Conf
panion, but Tristan paid no heed to his
-querulousness, filed the two cups with
the clear golden liquid and thrust one
of them under the nose of the sulhy
mar It's fine. dry fragrance
soothed Louis; he took a deep sip and
was Modified; another and he had for
given If not forgotten his generosity.
He w.nked at Tristan amiably over the
rim of the goblet. This is seeing life.
friend Tristan" he ~murmured, con-
tentcdly, stretching his thin legs In de-
licious ease. But Tristan was in no
holiday humor.
Lets hope is mayn't be seeing death,
friend Louis" he snorted. There are
a couple of rogues in that covey who
would spit you or split you or slit you
for the price Of n drink
Louis laughed affably. And no such
cheap bargain he commented, seeing
what wine costs here. But this is an
interesting business
Tristan would Concede nothing to the
kings good humor. where's the in
crest ?" he asked. "A few bullics.
bawds and bonarobas boozing together
You can keep the same company at
court-only a shade cleaner--and not
be out of pocket for the privilege,
either"
The kings mouth puckered in appre-
citation of some memory. He leaned
forward and touched Tristan's sleeve.
Gossip Tristan, there is at my court
q scholar who told me an eastern tale
Pray God it be a gay one, such as
your majesty loves
Hush man; no majesty here. IT'S
o. an eastern king, one Haroun, sur
named, as l shall be surnamed, The
Just"
Tristan grunted skeptically, but
Louis, ignoring the ejaculation, went
on.
1T was his pastime to so about Bag
dad of nights in disguise, and ming
ling with his people learn much to the
advantage Of the realm. l am following
his example, and l expect to learn much
in my turn
Tristan looked pityingly at the COM
placent king. you are likely to learn
how unpopular you are, which i could
have told you without this trouble: and
you will be lucky If you do not get
your throat cut into the bargain
Something almost like a smile dis
turbed the familiar composure Of the
kings wrinkles. He took another sip
of the wine and his ~affabllity expanded.
You are always a bird Of evil omen,
he chirped. BE bright, man; look at
me. The Burgundian Lacquer is at my
gates; my throne sways like a rocking
chair, yet / don't pull a sad face"
CONTINUED Next Weekly