Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-01-15
for moment. then suddenly glide,

| .-HOs-A-~NSs
close to him.
IF you WISH" she said in an even
whisper. you may kiss me once"
All the blood in the mans heart
seemed to turn to fire and flame into
his face as he turned towards her, maxi
ing as IL he would take her face in his
hand and seal his soul upon her mouth.
Then he sharply flung himself away
from her.
Nay, 1 can fight and If needs must
die in your quarrel. but II once 1
touched your lips-that would make life
too sweet to adventure"
The womans face had flushed a lit
tie at her offer; 1t now paled again.
AS you will" she said, and as she
spoke there came the noise Of Shout
ing, singing and trampling feet OUT
from the dizzy pinnacle of dreamland
to the calm valley of commonplace
world.
These are my friends returning" he
said. They mustn't see you. Come
this way" AS he spoke he caught her
hand and drew her across the room to
the stairs that led to the upper gall
lery. On the gallery he babe her wait
Here you can see without being seen.
you can reach the street by this pas
sage.
Even as he spoke the main door was
dashed open and the wild rout foamed
into the room, bubbling with exhilara-
ton, Huguette leaping like bubble on
the eddies of their enthusiasm. Louis
and Tristan took advantage of the con-
fusion to emerge from their hiding
places and resume their seats at their
table.
THAT was rare sport while 1t lasted"
Colin shouted.
ut didn't last long enough" Jehan
yelled.
Things took a different turn when
you came, Abbess," Montigny said,
patting the girl on the back approving
ly. Auguette shook her long hair out
of her eyes and laughed as she turned
down her rolled-up sleeves.
II did as Francois babe me and bast-
ed both the jades. Wine, landlord,
wine! My arms ache"
Robin Turgis was prompt; flagons
and pipkins ratified as the men and
women gathered round their table and
renewed their drinking and dicing with
fresh zest from the scuffie they had just
witnessed. Guy Tabarie laughed one of
his long fat laughs as he fingered over
memory's picture of the way Huguette
had trussed and trounced each of the
amazons. Lord, how they squeaked
and wriggled" he said unctuously.
Louis whispered to his companion.
Our mad poet may do me a good
turn, Gossip Tristan"
Evan as he spoke the inn door opened
and man entered-a small man, plain
ly clad. with his hood about his face.
He glanced about him anxiously till he
caught sight of Louis and Tristan, for
whom he made Immediately. Villon,
craning over the balustrade, saw him
and touched the girl on the arm to call
her attention to the newcomer.
rs that he?" he whispered. The girl
shook her head.
mo, no. Thibaut is big man. Yet
that figure seems familiar"
The stranger came to the table and
stopped between Louis and Tristan.
Louis looked up and grinned recogni-
ton of his barber, Oliver lie Dain.
He is coming, SIRE" Olivier said.
You are sure?"
I'VE logged his footsteps all the way,
till slipped ahead. Here he comes!"
With finger on lip Olivier glided
through the door behind which Tristan
had been concealed few moments be-
fore. The king rubbed his hands and
chuckled. Even Tristan looked pleased.