Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-02-21
CHAPTER VII.

THE ANSWER TO BURGUNDY.
A touch on the shoulder reused Villon
from his honeyed meditations, and he
turned with a start to find the sable
figure Of the king at his sic and the
sinister visage smiling upon him.
Good afternoon, Lord Contable,"
Louis said amiably, and as Villon
dropped respectfully on his knee, he
questioned:
DOCS power taste well?"
"Nobly, sire. on my knees let me
thank your majesty"
Nonsense, man; Tn pleasing myself.
You sang yourself into splendor. If
Francois were the king of France,
eh?"
Villon rose with voice and gesture of
apologize ~entreaty.
Your majesty will understand"
Louis brushed his apologies aside
blandly.
tivated me. With what a flashing eye
with what a radiant forehead, with
what a lofty carriage you Numbered
your verses at me. There l said to
myself, is a real man, a man with a
mission, a man who NAY serve
France"
sire that has been my hunger's
Louis clasped his hin arms across his
chest and Rugged himself a"ffectionate-
well. 1 couldn't very we'll make you
king, you know, n l wouldn't II l
could, for l hav a fancy for the task
myself. But 1 owed you a good turn
and your own words prompted the pay
ment. This poor devil shall taste
power l said. l will make him my
grand constable"
Villon's Joy was so great that he was
unable to hear the king out, but inter-
rupted him with enthusiastic promises.
'Sire, / will serve you as never king
was served
Louis went on unheeding, and his
quiet, monotonous words fell on the hot
brain of the poet and chilled 1t.
Il will make him my grand constable
for a week"
If Louis had jerked a dagger into
Vtllon's side, he could not have more
surely hurt his victim.
"A week, sire?" Villon gasped, almost
unable to realize the meaning Of the
kings words.
Louis turned upon him and snarled at
him:
Good Lord, did your vanity credit a
permanent appointment? Come, friend
come, that would be pushing the joke
too far!"
All the sunlight seemed to have gone
out of the world, all the scent out Of the
roses. Villon could only repeat to him,
self: "a wreck" and stare ~vacantly
at the king. The king emphasized his
offer, lingering over it lovingly.
Even so. One wonderful week, sever
delirious days" He paused for an in
slant as he counted. "One hundred ant
sixty-eight heavenly hours. It's tn
chance of a lifetime. The world wa!
made in seven days. Seven lays o
power, seven days Of splendor, sever
days of love-"
Villon gave a groan or despair 10
his golden hopes.
"And Their go back to the garnet an
the kennel, the tavern and the brothel!'
Louis malign smile deepened. III,
came closer to the poet and tapped hin
on the chest with his lear forefinger
He was enjoying himself Immensely.
mo, no, not exactly" he ummed
you don't taste the full force of tn,
Joke yet. In a weeks time you viii
build me a big gibbet in the Place d
Greve, and there your last task a
grand constable will be to hang Maste
7 Francois Villon.'
If the world had been colorless an
scentless before, 1t was now no bette
than a hideous heap of ashes. If Vii
Ion had run up a heavy reckoning wit
the king at the Fircone tavern, must n
wipe out the score with his life blood
Villon fell at the kings feet with eX
tended hands and agonized, beseech
ing eyes.
"Sire, sire, have pity!'
The king looked down on him in dis
dain.
, Are you so fond of life? Are you s
poor a thing that you prize your garre
and your kennel, your tavern and you
brothel SO highly?"
Villon bowed his head.
Il was content yesterday"
The king surveyed the covering Zig
ure with growing contempt.
Can you be content today? Pleas
yourself. There is still a door ope,
to you. You car go back to your gar
ret this very moment If you choose
Say the word and my van sha
strip you Of your smart feathers an
drub you into the street." ].
Villon buried his face In his hand'
"Your majesty, be mesciful!" he i'm
. plored.
The kings scorn blazed .out:
you read Louis of France a lessor
and Louis of France returns the CON
pliment. I took you for true gold an
/ am afraid that you are only bas
metal. You mouthed your longing fo
the chance to show what you could d.
Here is your chance! Take 1t or leav
it. But remember that ! never chang