The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-20


grand constable will be to hang Maste
Francois Vfllnn.''
If the world had been colorless an
scentiess before, it was now no bette
n a hiaeeus heap of ashes. If VII
lon had run up a heavy reckoning wit
the king at the Fircone tavern, must h
Wipe out the score with his life blood
Vtllon fell at the kings feet with e.
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?"
Vlllon bowed his head.
Il was content yesterday"
h king surveyed the covering fig.
ure with, growing contempt.
can you be content today? Please
yourself. There is still a door oper
to you. You can go back to your gar.
ret this very moment If you choose
Say the word and my servants shall
strip you of your smart feathers and
drub you into the street.
Villon buried his face in his hands.
Your majesty, be merciful!" he i'm
plored.
The kings scorn blazed out:
You read Louis of France a lesson,
and Louis of France returns the COM
pllment. I took you for true gold and
/ am afraid that yen are only base
metal. o mouthed your longing for
the chance to show what you could dc.
Here Is your chance! Take it or leave
IT. But remember that I never change
my mind. You may have your week of
wonder If you wish, but If you do, by
my word as a king, you Shall swing for
it."
Villon rose to his feet and caught at
his throat as if the grip Of the rope were
at that very moment closing about it.
He choked as he spoke.
IN GODS name, sire, what have I
done that You should torture me thus?"
The king snapped his answer:
You have Knocked q king and MAIN
ed a minister. You can't get off scot
free
Villon's bewildered thoughts forced
themselves into words. He spoke not SO
to h king as to himself. desper-
ately trying to decide.
Heaven help me-! Life, squalid,
sordid, but still life, with its tavern
corners and its brute pleasures of food
and drink and warn sleep, living hands
to hold and living laughter to gladden.
me-or a week Of cloth Of gold, of glory,
or loVe-and then a shameful deathi"
He flung himself on the marble seat
crouched there. shuddering.
The king patted him on the back.
Pray, friend, pray, to help your
He had taken off his black velvet can
and ran his eye over the little row of
metal saints which encircled it as If
lie We're m~editating to which particu- |
ar patron he should recommed his
rand constable to address himself. As
re did so, Olivier lie Dain came through
garden and moved swiftly to the |
side.
Sire" he said, eth Burgundian her
Id, Toison dor, attends under a flag
If truce with a message for your ma
Louis turned to his barber.
w will receive him here, Olivie.
n this green audience chamber. We
iced the free air when We hold speech
With Burgundy"
AS Olivier left the royal ~presenceta !
title thing happened which meant
1aoh to four people. Katherine came
n to the terrace with Noel lie .Jolys.
he had a lutte in her hand and she
oached it's chords lightly, seeking to
nake an air for words as she idled the
with her wooer Louis saw her,
hough Villon did not, for he was hud-
LED In a heap on the marble seat with
is head in his hands trying to control
ls Whirlfng thoughts. A new demon OF
entered the kings heart.
How" he thought, 'if my lady Vir-
ne. who fouted me, could be lured to
we this beggar-man?" He ambled
GROSS to where Villon lay and tapped
i'm on the shoulder. VilIon turned to
a face drawn and white With
gony.
One further chance, fellow" said the
ing. IF the Count of Montcorbier win
lie heart Of Lady Katherine de Vau-
elles within the week, he shall escape
he gallows and carry his lady love !,
here he pleases."
"On your word OF honor. sire?"
My word is my honor, Master Fran
lis. Well?"
At this very it pleased
eaven that Katherine. sitting on the
trace and smiling at the alteration in
lie Jolys' eyes, seemed to find the
r she sought and began to sing. The b;
Inc was quaint and plaintive, tender
an ancient lullaby, the words were ,
e words Of the tortured poet, and as !
: heard them a new hope seemed to !
me into his heart. !,
Life is unstable, !
Love may uphold; J
Fear goes in sable, {
Courage in gold.
Mystery covers !
Midnight Inc noon, y
Heroes and lovers !
T,Sy f~e fLo $500