Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-04-11

felon all due and reasonable opportun-
ity."
Even while he spoke, Tristan came
out Of the church carrying In his hand q
| great gold candlestick In whose socket
a little piece of candle, scarce an inch
high, was burning. He gave 1t into the
hands Of one of the soldiers OF the Scot
fish Guard, who held 1t in his strong
grasp and stood as immovable as a
statue. while the thin faint flame
pointed spear-like towards heaven In
the warm IND MINDLESS air.
Louis stopped and whispered to q
page behind him who bowed and en-
tered the church. Then the king spoke
again to the silent, wondering crowd:
80 long as this candle burns. SO
long Francois Villon lives. If while It
burns, one OF you is moved to take
Master Villon's place on the sallows,
so much the better for Master Villon,
n so much the worse for his sub
stitute. Herald, proclaim our pleas
ure."
1t a sign from Montjoye, the royal
herald, two pursuivants stirred the air
with the blast of golden trumpets.
Then Montjoye spoke:
THE kings grace and the kings
justice Is ready to grant life n liberty
10 Francois Yillon II anyone be found
willing to take his place on the gal
lows Inc die his death that he may live
his life!"
AS Montjoye's words died away a
great silence fell upon the assembled
people, a silence so still and cruel that
mems hearts grew cold and the warm
June air eemed to be signing over
fields Of Ice. The king leaned over and
addressed his prisoner confidentially:
Master Villon, Master Villon. you
see what human friendship means and
-. --- 49,
Villon answered boldly:
sire, 1t Is no news to me that men
love the dear habit Of living"
Louis signalled to Montjoye.
Proclaim again." he said; and once
more the pair of p~ursuivants blew their
trumpets and once again Montjoye
made his singular proposition Of par
don to the ~assemblage.
CHAPTER XVI.
I'VE SPEAK TO MEN"
It fell this time upon fresh ears, the
ears Of an old woman who was patient
ly pushing her way through the crowd
In her effort to reach her humble lodg-
ing. She had succeeded In making her
way to the open space as the last
words Of the herald's offer were being
spoken, and suddenly her dulled brain
caught the full significance Of Mon
joye's speech. Looking wildly around
her, she saw where Villon stood, an
armored figure held captive, and with
out attempting to realize the meaning
of what she beheld, she dropped her
stick and tottered forward to the dais,
where she fell on her knees with
clasped, entreating hands.
sire, sire, I will die for himl"
Villon's heart leaped to his throat
when he saw her.
Nanny, nanny, go away!" he
cried, and he made a vain attempt to
move towards his mother, a movement
instantly restrained by the crossed
weapons Of his captors. At the same
moment Katherine de Vaucelles came
out of the church door In obedience to
the summons of a royal page, who
had found her at her prayers, and who
told her that the king desired her pres
ence. She paused at the head of the
steps in amazed survey OF the crowded
place and a scene that at first she
could not understand.
who Is this woman" Louis asked,
looking down at the poor old dame, who
knelt before him and besought him.
olivier answered In his ear:
1.-The fellows mother, SIRE"
A very little tenderness came into
Louis eyes,, a very little tenderness
trembled on his lips.
Woman, we cannot hear on" he
said. BY Gods law you have given
him life once and by my law you may
not give him life again"
Sire, I beseech you," Mother Villon
entreated; but the kings pity was not
to be purchased so.
Take her away and use her gently"
he said.
Noel lie Jolys stopped to obey the
kings command, but the old woman,
rising to her feet, repulsed him lercely.
mo! mol" she said. Il will not leave
my SON. and she flung her old body
passionately upon the prisoners neck
and clasped with her lean arms his
mailed shoulders.
Concluded Next Week.