The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-01-09

what do you say?" she ragged, and
then, seeing a wOman's form a few
feetiaway from her, she rushed towards
the stranger furiously while the others
rose in eager expectation of some new
excitement.
"'What do you seek here?" she asked
fiercely Of the old ma and then, as
she saw the pitiful wrinkled face star
ing up at her, she started back in sur
prise.
The old woman, misinterpreting the
sex of her questioner from the dress
that Huguette wore, began apologetic-
ally.
Asking your pardon, young gentle
man." and for a moment her words
were drowned in a shout of delighted
laughter, as the listening rogues ap-
,preciated the blunder she a made
Asking your pardon, young gentle
man, I seek Master Francois Viilon."'
Huguette snapped at her inpatient
!ly, Seek him and find him." Then
turning to Rene, she cried, "Montigny,
O. beast!" and with her hand on her
dagger. made holly for him.
Montigny, grinning like a delighted
her around the table, while the others
perceiving a victim in the bcwildered
old woman, Joined hands in a ring and
began dancing wildly around her, sing
ing a ribald song. The old woman as
frightened and timid as a NOUS might
be if it suddenly found itself the center
of a circle of dancing cats, stood still.
At this moment the cellar door
opened, and Master Francois reap
peared, carrying in his arms a large
jug Of wine. Perceiving that the land
lord still lay in his heavy sleep. he
smiled delightedly to himself, closed
the cellar door softly and placed his
booty in the corner of the fireplace
nearest to the settle. The noise of the
tumult attracted him from his success
full plumber, and looking up, he became
aware of what was happening. LII a
second his contented mien changed,
and dashing into the dancing crowd,
he struck Jehan lie Loup a heavy blow
with the bunch of keys, which felled
him to the ground like a log. In a
moment the cluster of rascals dissipat-
ed, and Villon caught the old woman
in his arms.
Damn you, chubs!" he shouted at
them. IT'S my mother" Then as he
drew the trembling old woman owards
the fireplace, he whispered in her ears,
Don't be frightened, nanny, they
meant nc HARM"
A certain hang-dog air of contrition
was on the faces of most Of the men,
bers of the gang as they stood apart
and eyed the mother and son shame
facedly. Guy Tabarie, who had a
wholesome dislike to quarrels, slipped
quietly into the cool street to seek
pleasure in some place where the at
,mosphere might be less stormy.
Robin Turgis Weakened from his
heavy sleep, clapped his hands in
stinctively to his girdle and found that
his keys were missing.
My keys! my keys" he shouted
h are my keys?" And then.
"A nc obi y, n CT p1,t re fLo,,, ,1,lo,o +l,1-x J-nx
by the PROSTATE form of Jehan lie Loup,
he rushed furward n secured them
;greedily.
BY his time Jehan lie Loup had re-
covered the senses which Villon's
swinging blow had knocked out of him
and was crawling slowly into a sitting
posture. He glared ferociously at Mas
ter Francois and his evil right hand
stole to the .pommel of his dagger.
You nave cracked my crown, curse
you" he grunted, n then swiftly
sprang to his feet with the bare blade
in his hand and rushed at his assail-
ant. But Villon vas too alert to be
taken unawares: He had not time to
draw his sword, but in a second he
had snatched a spit from the fire and
extending it scientifically kept Jehan
lie Loup at arms length. Huguette
seized Jehan by the dagger arm.
She is his mother!" she said an
grily. '"You all had mothers, I sup
pose? Let him alone!"
Jehan lie Loup unwillingly sheathed
his Weapon; Huguette dragged him
back to the table; Villon replaced the
spit, which had somewhat burned his
fingers, and sat down by his mothers
side on the settle, in peace.
Did they frighten you, NANNY"
he whispered. But they meant nc
harm. Boys and girls, girls and boys
The old woman mt her q rreo &. tioht1y
about him. Vi1lon grimaced. Her low
ing touch was as painful as a hostile
n to his bruised body, but he made
no attempt to repress her embrace.
Come home, Francois" she said
Come home. Where have you beer
these three days?"
VillOn careSsed the old woman very
tenderly, as he answered.:
Very busy, mammy-State secrets
NUNS the word. How did you find m
.out?"
They told me at the Unicorn" the
old woman said, that I might find yor
here"
Villon made a gesture OF contempt
oh, the Unicorn is no longer fash.
a They want. payment on thu
nail there confound them! Besides
this is nearer the walls and we car
heal the Burgundians shouting. It i:
as good as a relish with our wine"
sadly. - $3.50
Come away he entreated. "Yo,
have had wine enough"
V1llon contradicted her Instantly.
Never in NY life. NANNY, I hav,
a. fools head and always get into m,
attitudes too SOON
Then, seeing the look of d~isappoint
ment that made her grey old face ioo]
greyer still, he added, II cannot com,
home just now, ann but there +
something I can do for you. Do w,
remember when I was a little child
Something in the words made bin
stop suddenly. The hideous contras
between the phrase and the piacS
wherein he WI between the mnthe
who fondled him and the wild mar
savages and women-savages who war
his daily friends and who were dr;nis
ing and dicing behind him at the ofhe
side of the settle, anne upon him Iik,
a great wave Of pain and knocked III
mirth out Of him.. He turned ava,
from his mother and repeated to hin,
self dismally, God! when I was a#Iit
Tie child!" The mothers pity. In
mothers protection immediately as
serted themselves.
St We're the prettiest child woma,