Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-03-12

he had flung back her hood and
snatched the mask from her face. To
his amazement he found himself look
ing on the fair, familiar face of HUI
guette, and in establishment he cried
her name. The girl, astounded at be-
ing recognized. came close to him.
who are you?" she asked.
For answer, Villon unmasked.
Huguette looked closely into his face,
at first without any sign of recogni-
ton, then suddenly the knowledge
came to her and she caught him in
her arms with a cry of joy.
FRANCOIS, you dear devil, where have
you been this thousand years? They
said you We're banished. How brave
you are! Where did you steal so much
splendor? Are you cutting purses7
Are you plucking manifest"
Villon tried to stay her questions.
What are you doing here, Abbess?s'
"rhe fair Noel has taken week
long fancy to me, and I am making an
age-long fool of him. Kiss me-" she
urged, putting her face very near to.
Nillon's. Villon drew back his head.
You should keep your kisses for the
fair fool Noel"
Huguette drew away from him an
grily.
when you We're as lean as q cat and
as ragged as a sparrow, you were not
so nice precisian. Has some great
lady bewitched you? Can You only
WOO in silk and win in velvet? If the
kernel be sweet, what does the husk
matter? Heavens pity! Why should
a woman love your"
Villon took no notice of her petulance
but repeated his question:
what are you doing here. Abbess 2"
The girls rage was as short as sum
mer's shower. She turned again to
him, fondling him.
well, 1 cannot shut the door of my
heart in your smooth face. Rene de
Montlgny has great game afoot, and
you are back in time to share in it,"
What game?" Nillon asked.
Huguette answered.:
1.-The fair fool Noel. advised by mt,
has persuaded the king to see an as
trologer here tonight when the gardens
are quiet. Noel believes the astrologer
will advise the king to fling his grand
constable out of the window and call
Messire Noel in at the door. but the
comrades of the cockelshel really mean
much more mischief. When once we
get the king within reach of our fingers,
we mean to snap him up and carry him
out of Paris willy nil!y, and sell him to
the Duke of Burgundy"
Villon caught his breath.
IA great game!' he cried. but who
is this astrologer?"
"Thibaut d'Aussigny," she answered,
"who pretends to be dead, but who lives
for this revenge"
Villon leaped to his feet. He remem-
bered what katherine thought she had
seen.
Then 1t was he!" he said
| Huguette went on with her story.
Noel is to give us the signal by cry
| ing an owls cry thrice"
Nillon was revolving many thoughts
in his mind and he hardly needed her.
This adventure of the astrologer
might be turned to my advantage.
Here is chance in thousand" he
muttered to himself, as he paced rest
lessly on the grass. II have but to
close my eyes and shut my ears and the
| good Thibaut carries the good Louis
to the good Burgundy tonight, and there
can be no hanging tomorrow"
The girl followed after him, catching
at his sleeve to stay him.
What are you talking about?'
| Villon went on, unheedlng her, wllis-
pering to himself:
eff they cut CATER Louis throat be-
tween them, the world were rid of a
crooked wi.ted king, and, l free to win
Katherine, hold Paris, be the first man
| in France"
"Francos speak to me-" Huguette
pleaded, but she pleaded in vain.
CONTINUED Next Week.)