Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-01-22

and ,. asked =. +, Wen, what DO
The astrologer shook his head. 1.-THE
stars are bright" he said slowly. but
their brightness is bewildering to NOR
tai eyes and 1t Is hard to read between
the lines of their effulgence. Dreams
are dim, and it is difficult for mortal
minds to interpret their obscurity."
The king frowned. IT know we'll
enough" he said, that stars are bright
and that dreams are dim, but your wis
dom is clothed and housed and nour-
ished for deeper knowledge than this
interpret my dream for France as Jo-
seph interpreted the vision Of the Egyp-
tian."
With an unmoved face the astrologer
scanned the crystal. THUS seem to
read the riddle of your dream, SIRE" he
answered. There is one in the depths
who, II exalted to the heights, might do
you great service and who yet might
irk you 80 greatly that you would cast
him back again into the depths from
which he rose. The stars seem to speak
of such coming, and, as 1t seems to
me, this STRANGER should have potent
influence for good for period of seven
days from this day. have sought and
sought in vain to see something of this
man In the crystal. l only see con-
fusedly great crowds of people, pa
many soldiers, battle and bloodshed
and great victory for France-and then
a star falls from heaven and all the
Vision vanishes."
The king was silent for a moment;
then with an imperative gesture he dis
missed the astrologer, who entered the
tower and climbed the winding stairs
to the room where he pursued his oc-
cult studies. The king walked restless
ly up and down, indifferent to the roses
thinking only of the stars.
If Francois Villon were the king Of
France" he muttered. How that mad
ballad maker slowed last night. Fools
are proverbially fortunate. and mad
man may save Paris for me as mad
maid saved France for my sire"
A heavy tread behind him stirred him
from his meditations. Turning, he be-
held the companion of his adventure Of
the previous evening.
We'll. Tristan?" he questioned APP
prehensively. for Tristan had the evil
smile on his face which he always wore
when he had news of any disagreeable
kind to impart
The bird has flown, SIRE" he said
"Thibaut d. Aussigny's wound was much
slighter than we thought last night
After we carried him to his house, he
made his escape thence in disguise, and
has, l believe, fled from Paris to join
the Duke Of Burgundy"
The king shrugged his shoulders in
differently.
II wish the duke Joy of him." he said
He is more dangerous to my enemy
when he is on my enemys side. Where
are the rascals of last night?'
'"The tavern rabble are in custody OF
Messire NOEL
And my rival for royalty?"
Barber Olivier has charge of him.
would have hanged the rogue out OF
hand.'
Your turn will come, gossip, never
doubt it. But the stars warn me that ]
need this rhyming ragamuffin. There
is tale of Haroun al Raschid-"
Tristan stif1ed yawn and sheer
Another tale, sire" he said, with some
thing like piteous protest, for the kings
tales did not always entertain Tristan
How he picked a drunken rascal
from the streets and took him to his pail
ace. When the rascal woke sober, the
courtiers persuaded him that he was
the caliph, and the commander of the
faithful found great sport in his be-
havior. promise myself like diver
sion"
Tristan stared in surprise. This form
of entertainment was new to him and
did not seem to be particularly anus.
ing.
fCopfip,ed Naxt uyaoi.>