Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-03-21
CHAPTER XI.
THE DEATH OF A wANToN.

THE DEATH OF y WANTON.
The sham king leaped to his feet, still
laughing, flung off the black cap with
it's little row of leaden saints and the
rusty black mantle which mir1icked
the kings habit, and stood delighted
and defiant before Thibaut, the Fran
co.'s VlIlon who thus a second time had
crossed his path.
well, friend, what has the wizard
told your" Louis asked b!andly.
Villon swayed with Laughter as he
pointed to the bewildered giant.
Wonders, sire" he answered. Il have
not laughed so heartily since l attained
greatness" But even as he spoke Thi-
baut had recovered his wits. He might
be defeated, but he would not be un-
avenged.
You shall laugh no more!" he shout
ed, wrenching himself free from re-
Gtraint, and he spran3 at his enemy
with lifted dagger.
From behind the statue of Pan there
came a warning Shrek, and swiftly be-
tween Villon and Thibaut a slim G:'en
figure Garted and slim green al rs
cias7ed Villon around the neck. Tie
dagger of Thibaut drove deep into the
soft body of Huguctte.
With a curse Thibaut turned and,
sweeping aside the arChers who tried
to stop him, disappeared down the
nearest alley. Noel lie JolyS, drawing
his sword, rushed in pursuit, followed
by several soldiers. Niilon held the
bleeding body Of the gil in his arms,
and tried his best to stanch The wound
which was staining the green jerhin /
dull red, but the girl protested family,
pushing his ministering hand away.
Let me alone; l am done for She
gaspcd.
Olivier was by her side in an instant.
cycling the wound with the professional
interest Of the surgeon-barber and
looking from IL to the girls pale face.
Villon's gaze questioned him. Olivier
shrugged his shoulders and shook his
head. Villon knew hat the wound was
mortal, and his own blood seemed like
water within him. He carried the girl
across the grass and rested her oil it,
the red stain on the green coat growing
wider and wider as they moved.
Courage, Abbess; courage, lass" he
whispered, fightin" with his horror and
his sorrow as he moaned to himself:
THAT any one should die for mel"
The girls arms chung closer about his
neck and her lips moved family. He
STONED close to her to catch her words.
This Is a strange end, Francois. |
always thought / should die In a bed.
Here is another kind Of battlefield.
Give me drink"
Some water" Villon cried to olivier,
who stood a little apart from the pair
with the resigned look of the physician
who knows that his art is of no avail.
Etiquette protested family.
Not water. Wine. 1 have ever loved
the taste of it, and tits too late to
change now
olivier filed a cup from the nagon on
the table and was for lifting it to the
girls lips, but her feeble hand ~repulsed
him and she pleaded to Villon:
GIVE 1t to me, Francois"
Villon tool the cup from the BARRIERS
hand, lifted it to the dying girls lips,
and she drank greedily. The strong
wine gave her for a moment something
of it's own false strength, and she
struggled to her feet, Villon rising with
her and supporting her.
Your health, Francois. l suppose !
have been a great sinner. VIII God
forgive me?"
Villon stifed a heavy groan, but he
was sworn to console her If he could,
and, indeed, he believed his words OF
consolation.
He understands his children"
The heavy head dropped its golden
curls Upon his shoulder.
You always were hopeful she said
brokenly. Then suddenly clasping him
tightly, she cried: Many men AVE
taken my body; only you ever took my
heart. Give me your lips"
Villon's spirit was troubled. 1t seemed
to him that his lips were bound to wall
for that kiss of his lady's, and yet the
dying girl loved him and he had loVeo
the dying girl after a fashion, and he
could not refuse her now. He bent &c
| grant her prayer, when suddenly she
shook herself free from his arms ano
began to sing family the words or th(
sCng he had made for her:
Daughters of pleasure, one n an
Then she caught her breath with g
sob and slipped to the last lines or th{
verse:
use your red lips before too late,
Love ere now flies beyond recall
She shook her head back in a wiz
peal of laughter; then she gave a grea'
cry and fell forward. Villon caugh'
her, looked in her face and knew ina
she was dead, and that the best or MS
old bad life lay dead with her.
Olivier in obedience to an order o.
the kings, gave a signal and the glrl'
body was swiftly wrapped in a soldiers
| cloak and laid gently upon q pair o.
| crossed halberds. AS this was being
done, Noel lie Jolys came painting bach
, with q red sword in his hand.
"Thibaut d'Aussigny is dead, SIRE
he said, my hand was the hand tina
finished him."
Then as his eyes fell on the dead