The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-02-27

wonders, though 1 die a dogs death
at the end of it. l will show France
and her what lay in the heart of the
poor rhymster."
Louis applauded, clapping his thir
hands together gieefuily.
Spoken like a man! But remember
a bargains a bargain. If you fail tc
win the lady, you must, with heavens
help, keep yourself for the gallows. Nc
self-slaughter, no flinging away your
life on some other FOOLS sword. I give
you the moon, but 1 want my price fol
it,"
Villon's blood now ran warm again
in it's channels, and he answered stout
ly:
Sire, I will keep my bargain. Give
me my week of opportunity, and if ]
do not make the most of it I shall de-
serve the death to which you devote
me-"
Even as he spoke the air was
stirred with a cheerful flourish of
trumpets and the quiet garden was in
vaded by Tristan IHermite and a COM
pany of soldiers, escorting a tall and
stately gentleman, whose gorgeous ia
bard proclaimed him to be Toison dor,
Yin III AiS NSh '"i A1kNJt
The news of his coming had run
through the palace, and the terrace was
suddenly flooded with courtiers and
ladies eager to hear what the enemy's
envoy had to say and what answer the
king would send back to him. Louis
seated himself on the marble seat
anigh the image of Pan and drew Viii
Ion down beside him.
Listen we'll to this mans words, my
lord constable" he whispered, and then
turning to the cleaning figure of the
herald, he demanded:
Your message, sir?"
Toison dor advanced a few feet
nearer to the monarch and spoke in a
ringing voice.
Tn the name Of the luke of Bur-
,gundy and of his allies and brothers.
in-arms assembled in solemn Lacquer
outside the walls of Paris, I hereby
summon you, Louis Of France, to sur
render this city Internationally and to
yield yourself in confidence to my mas
ter'S mercy"
The king folded his hands over his
knees and inclined his head a little,
like an inquiring bird.
"And if we refuse, Sir Herald?"
The herald answered promptly:
"The worst disasters Of war, fire and
sword and famine, much blood to shed
and much gold to pay and for yourself
no hope of pardon"
Great Words the king sneered.
The herald replied proudly:
1.-THE angels of great leeds"
Villon had been sitting listening as a
man listens in a dream. almost uncon-
scious of what was taking place.
Among the ladies on the terrace Kath-
crime stood conspicuous in her youth
and beauty, and to her his eyes were
turned in worship. The quarrels of
great princes, the destinies of France
were for the moment Indifferent to
him. He forgot his high desires of
empire, his swelling belief in his real
great prize lay temptingly within his
grasp, hat he might win his hearts
desire. Louis interrupted his reverie:
1.-THE count of Montcorbier, constable
OF France, is my counsellor. His voice
delivers my mind. Speak, friend, and
give this messenger his answer"
He touched Villon on the arm and
Villon turned to him in establishment.
9As I will, sire?''
The king caught him up impatiently,
yes, go or go on. IF Villon were the
king Of France"
Villon leaped to his feet and ad-
vanced toward the herald. A wild ex-
ultation filled his veins with fire. He
felt as If he were the lord of the world,
as If his hands held the scales that de-
cided the destinies Of nations. He had
always dreamed Of the great deeds he
would do, and now great deeds were
possible to him, and at least he would
try to do them. He looked straight in
to the herald's changeiess face, but his
heart shrined Katherine as he spoke.
Herald Of Burgundy, In Gods name
and the kings. I bid you go back TIC
your master and say this: Kings are
ery.ao+ w &1A HSHrac ~ s+h4s~ ~@~-I~ III 1..x
the people are great in the eyes of God
and 1t is the people Of France who am
sWer you in the name of this epitome
The people OF Paris are not SO poor OF
spirit that they fear the croak of the
Burgundian rayen. We are well vic
tualled, we are well armed; we lie snug
and warm behind our stout walls; we
laugh at your Lacquer. But when We
who eat are hungry when we who
drink are dry, when we who glow are
frozen, when there Is neither bite OF
the board nor sup in the pitcher nol
spark upon the hearth, our answer tt
rebellious Burgundy will be the same
You are, knocking at GER doors, beware
lest we open them and come forth tc
speak with u enemy at the gate. We
give you back defiance for defiance
menac for menace, blow for blow
This is Dur answering and the
drawn sword. God and st. Denis fol
the king of France!"
AS he spoke, he drew his sword and
flashed 1t aloft in the sunlight: There
was contagion in his buring words, and
every soldier present barred his blade
and pointed 1t to heaven, while Villon's
cry was repeated upon a hundred lips
AS 9Toison dor turned and left thu
presence, Katherine came swiftly dowr
the stc-s and flung herself at WILLOWS
feet.
my lord she said. with my lip!
the women of France thank you TO,
your words of fame. @
Louis leaned forward, smiling sar.
donically.
Mistress. what does this meang' i,
questioned.
The girl rose to her feet, looking int,
| yillon's face with eyes that mirroret
the admiration shining in his eyes.
ut means, sire, that a man has COM
to COURT"
CHAPTER VII.
AWoRD WITH DOM GREGORY.
1t Is a thousand plies that the@ma
terials for Building up a practical pre-
sentiment OF the real life-story of Mas
ter Francois WILLOW are Sc slight, tina
in the historical sense they might al
most be said to be non-existent.a%W
Y t7.,l ). 49,, a. ~ wafk4y,S = - ESrn -