The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-02-20

eCfoiic' IL ilS Sldiu SoilSlhplc liu Lie
right to pardon, surely the grand con-
stable had also the right to VOC. She
had drawn a little way from him and
he followed her up, standing SO close
to her that with q little movement he
might have kissed her on the cheek.
Even when you are the woman? If
I had stood in this ~rascal's shoes, !
would have done as he did for your
sake
The girl gave a joyous cry.
IF you think this. you should grant
the poor knave his freedom"
Villon flung his hands apart with a
magnificent gesture of liberation.
THAT broker of ballads shall go free.
Your prayer unshackles him and we
will do no more than Danish him from
Paris. Forget that UGH a slave ever
came near you"
The lady dropped him a magnificent
curtsey, and her cheeks glowed with
gratitude.
Il shall remember your clemency."
She made as If she would leave his
presence, but his boldness waxed with
in him as a fire wakes with new wood,
and he caught her lightly by the wrist.
by Saint Venus, l envy this fellow
that he should have won your thoughts.
die to serve you'll"
Surprise famed in the girls eyes,
surprise M amusement mingled.
My lord, you do not know me-" she
laughed, and her laughter was as fresh
and merry as a milkmaid's in the
meadows.
did he know you? Yet when he
saw you he loved you and made bold
to tell you So"
Her forehead wrinkled in a little pro-
testing frown.
Ills words were of no more account
than the wind in the eaves. But you
and are peers, n the words we
change ave meanings"
Villon caught his breath. The lord
of Montcorbier was, indeed, warded by
very different stars from the fellow Of
the Ffrcone. He saluted her BANTER
ingly.
Though I be newly come to Paris 1
have heard much Of the beauty and
more Of the pride Of the Lady Kather-
Inc de Vaucelles."
A little fire burned in the girls pale
cheeks, and she flung her head back
scornfully.
Il am humble enough as to my
PRIDE"
Villon. leaning forward with entreat-
ing hands, pleaded with beseeching
lips.
Would you pity me if I told you
that I loved you?"
Katherine laughed, and the music Of
her laughter seemed to wake faint
echoes among h roses as if every
blossom were a magic bell with a fairy
hand at the clapper.
Heavens mercy" she said. GLOW
fast your fancy gallops. I care little to
be fiattered I'M less to be wooed, and I
swear that I should be very hard to
VIM"
She turned to mount the steps as she
spoke, as II she had said all that she
wanted to say, but Viilon delayed her
with imploring protest.
II have more right to try than your
taproom bandit. l see what he saw; ]
love what he loved"
Again the girls laughter frightened
the summer air.
You are very infiammabIe.,'
Villon caught at her words.
My fire burns to the ashes. You can
no more stay me from loving you than
YOU can stay the. flowers from loving
the soft air, or true men from loving
honor, OF heroes from loving glory. /
would rake the moon from heaven for
you"
The girl swayed her head daintily, as
q queen rose might In a realm of roses,
There was something like pity in her
eyes. but laughter fingered on her lips.
lips.
THAT promise has grown rusty since
Adam first made tito Eve" She eyed
him in silence for n second time, derid-
ing his signs with a smile: then There
is a rhyme in my mind" she cried,
about oon and lovers and she be-
ganNto declaim, half muse. half mink
some lines that had pleased her, to
tease the importunate stranger.
Life is unstable,
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