Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-04-18

The silence that followed was SWlllIy
broken by the sweet, clear voice or a
girl.
II WILL" said Katherine de Vaucelles
from her stand on the church steps, ana
on the instant all yes were turned to
the spot where the aid stood with
face as white as pear blossom and her
hands tightly clenched by her sides
She moved slowly down the steps In
the dead silence and paused before the
kings throne. .
Il will die for him, SIRE" she said
quietly.
From Villon's lips there came a
mighty cry Of "Katherine!" and a faint
spot OF color rose on the kings cheeks.
Mistress, we speak to men,, he sara
Tristan pressed his great hands TO-
gether.
by ST. Denis, our women seem to
make the best men," he grunted.
Katherine stood, tall and proud,
facing the king. Mother Villon, stirred
by this heavenly interference, left her
son to fall at the feet Of the angel lady
and kiss the hem Of her garment
Katherine spoke bgavely:
sire, / love his man and would be
proud TO die for him. 1t may chime
with your pleasure to Stay him; IL can
not chime with you n to deny me.
Your word is given and a king must
keep his word.
The king made an impatient gesture
w speak to men,"
Villon caught at his words.
II speak to a woman" he cried, and
gazing ~passionately at his love, ne
called to her: katherine, my kath-
crime, death is a little thing. For love
is deathless and 0 give me a better
thing than life"
With unmoved voice, with unchanged
face, Katherine persisted:
"Sira I claim yOur PROMISE
Louis again denied her.
wv speak to men. Tristan, do your
office"
At this moment the situation sud
denly changed. Villon Unexpectedly
wrenched himself free from the control
Of the two soldiers beside him, whose
hold had relaxed in their wonder at
what was passing. and sprang towards
Katherine. His act instantly inspired
the hearts and hands Of his sympathiz-
ers, and in a second he was caught up
and encircled by a crowd or armed ana
determined men, who drove back the
Scottish archers. Villon snatched a
drawn sword from the hand Of Rene
de Montigny and held it high In the
air While he shouted:
mo, by Gods rood, the candle Of my
grace has not yet burnt to the socket!
People of Paris, shall l not speak to my
lover before / die?"
The place was a raving bedlam OF
noise and menace. The Scottish archers
did not dare to make any attempt to re-
capture their escaped prisoner, but kept
their line in front of the royal dais,
while Vlllon stood by the side Of kath-
crime with drawn sword, an angel of In
surrection, ready at n 10
fling the forces behind him upon his
! ndversaries. Yet the king remained as
! unmoved as IL he had been witnessing q
ryrnaf chou Tn his thin ever voice.
he commanded:
Speak to her while the candle burns,
not a second longer"
, With one accord, Villon's adherents
drew back and Villon was left with
Katherine alone In the open space.
Katherine whispered TO him:
Francois, will you not take life at
my hands?"
Villon answered her tenderly:
Dear child, If that crowned Judas
there had taken you at your word, do
you think l would nave outlived you by
the space Of q second?"
She looked flxedly into his eyes.
you are resolved?'
He smiled back at her.
Il am as stubborn as a mule and no
pleadiugs will move me"
She looked over her shoulder with a
%shudder.
Dearest, the candle hickers in the
wind. There is a dagger In your girdle.
| Stay me and yourself"
you mean it?' he gasped ana she
answered firmly:
b Gods Mother and Gods Son."
A sudden, wonderful thought flashed
through Nillon's mind. He had won
love, he could not hope to win life, but
at least he might so manage as to die
| a soldiers death and not a knave's. He
whispered to her eagerly:
mi .- I'LL -ral1 old 7 niIic' nlnno-
ure yet. Love, will you marry me here
at the foot Of the gallows?"
She answered him:
with all my heart"
Instantly he turned and left her n
strobe towards the throne.
King l crave your patience, but
your sentence must tarry and turn, for
l claim to marry this lady
Louis smiled deriSively.
1T Is too late. Sing your neck-rhyme
and have done, for your moose Is too
large for a wedding ring"
Vilon gave him back smile for smile.
Sire" he said, Il am a master Of
arts OF the University Of Paris and as
such have the right in extremis to any
sacrament Of the church. l have LIVED
a confirmed bachelor, but now l have a
mind to change my state. Find me q
priest, King Louis"
olivier stopped to the king.
II speaks the truth, sire. He can
claim this right
Louis leaned forward interested.
What do you hope to gain by this"'
Villon answered calmly:
THE right to die like a soldier by the
sword. not like a by the rope"
A murmur of approval stirred the
silent crowd, but it died away as Kath-
crime suddenly advanced and stood, a
white figure like a fair lily. between the
king and Villon.
NAY, you gain more than this. l am
the lady Katherine de Vaucelles, kins-
woman of the royal house, mistress of a
hundred lands, grand seneschale of Gas
cony, warden of the Marches of Poi
tou. In my own domains | exercise the
high justice and the low. This man is
Of humble birth, n when l marry him
he becomes my vaSsal. over my vas
sails | hold the law of life and DEATH"
Villon dropped on his knees beside
his lady.
Louis clapped his thin hands together
as a man might applaud a play.
"You are q boll minion n yoc have
q quick wit. Blu if you marry this gaol
bird you decline to his condition. Your
high titles fall from you, your great
estates are forfeited to the crown ard
you and he must go out into exile to-
gether; the beggar woman with the
Eeggar man."
Katherine turned to Villon where he
knelt beside her.
"'Tis a little price to pay for my
lover"
Villon looking up into her eyes, ques-
toned her:
do you think I'm worth it, Kate?
IT'S q big price to pay for this poor
anatomy"
She repeated her words.
"Tis a little price to pay for my
lover. Do you doubt me?"
Unheeded a man-at-arms pushed his
way through the crowd to the kings
dais and whispered some words I'm the
ear Of Noel lie Jolys. who in turn whis-