Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-01-29


different from the face of the tavern
haunter as the face of the moon shines
from the face of lantern. He was as
sumptuously attired as If he were a
prince of the blod royal: the monday
sun seemed to take fresh luster from
his suit of gold, the air to be enriched
by his perfume, the world to be vastly
the better for his furs and Jewels.
Though it was plain that the tricked-
out poet was in a desperate dilemma he
managed to bear himself with dignity
that consorted royalty with his pomp.
Olivier bowed low to the figure In
cloth of gold.
'will your dignity deign to linger
awhile in this rose arbour?" he asked.
The gentleman in cloth of gold looked
at him in wonder. In truth the gen
tleman in cloth of gold was in a very
bewildered frame of mind. He had seen
but now a clean and smooth-shaven
face in the mirror. with elegantly
trimmed hair, and he tried to associate
the image in the mirror with his ow
familiar face, unwashed, unkempt, I'M
shaver. He eyed the splendid clothes
that covered him and his memory
fumbled in perplexity over the horrors
of a dingy, filthy wardrobe, ragged,
wine-stained and ancient. He looked
at the solemn pages who stood about
him with golden cups and golden flag
ons in their hands, and he tried to re-
member how he had escaped from the
society of Master Robin Turgis into
this gilded environment. His head
ached With the endeavor and he ADAM
doned it. Olivier repeated his question,
and at last Villon found words though
his voice sounded strange and hollow
on his ears and hard to command.
My dignity will deign to do any
thing you suggest, good master Blacka-
moor" he answered, but to his heart
he Whispered that it was better to hui
NOR these strange satellites whose per-
sons he found it impossible to reconcile
with any memories of the real world
as he knew it. The barber bowed defer
entially.
with certain small cares of state" he
said.
Villon beamed on him benignly. He
was wondering what his interlocutor
was talking about, but he felt that 1t
was the course of the wise man to be-
tray no wonder The conditions were,
indeed, bewildering. but also they We're
not disagreeable, and 1T was as we'll to
take them cheerfully.
No trouble, excellent myrmidon," he
answered. These duties are pleasures
to your true man."
Olivier bowed anew.
His majesty will probably honor you
with his company later.
Vlllon beamed again, and again his
wonder found words which seemed to
him to make the most and the best of
the situation. Perhaps in this singular
region of dreams he was the kings maid
and the king friend At least it could
do no harm to assume such friendship
when his solemn companion seemed to
take 1T for granted.
Always delighted to see dear Louis.
He and 1 are very good friends. Peo-
pie say hard things of him, but believe
me, they don't know him.
He was trying his best to piece to-
gether the disordered fragments of his
memory and to explain to himself how
it came to pass that he was dizzy and
heavy and he felt like man in a dark
room who was CROPPING to find the door
handle. The voice of the barber inter
rupted these mental struggles.
May we take our leave. monseig-
neur?''
yillon's face lighted. He felt that 1t
would be pleasanter for him to be alone
while he was attempting to regain con-
troll of his faculties. more especially as
he noted that the pages had placed
their golden cups and flagons on the
marble table and that his instinct as
sured him that these precious vessels
sheltered no less precious wine.
and then as the barber made to depart,
Nillons mood changed and he caught
him by the sleeve and drew him con-
fidently toward him.
Stay one moment" he murmured.
"You know this plaguy memory Of
mine-what forgetful fellow I am.
Would you mind telling me again who
I happen to be?"
No look of surprise stirred the bar
hal &c far fa,oo oh in
extreme complaisance.
"You are the count Of Montcrobiel.
monseigneur" he answered, gravely.
you have just arrived in Paris from
the court of Province, where you stood
in high favor with the king of that
country, but your favor is, I believe,
greater with the king of France, for he
has been pleased to make you grand
constable. 1t is his majestys wish that
you contrive to remember this"
Nillon laughed laugh which he tried
hard to make hearty and natural, but
with Indifferent success.
"Of course, it was most foolish of me
| to forget Now, l suppose, good master
| Long-toes, that person in my exalted
rank has good deal of power, influ-
ence, authority, and what not?"
with the kings favor. you are the
first man in the realm"
sition carry with it any agreeable per-
quisite in the way of pocket money!"
If you will dip your finger in your
/ pouch" Oliver suggested, pointing a
thin forefinger at Nillon's jewelled
belt.
Nillon thrust his fingers into the
pocket that hung from it and brought
them out again loaded with great gol-
den coins, bright and clear from the
mint, that cleaned joyously in the sun
| light. He gave a little cry OF delight
as he let them run in a shining stream
from followed hand to followed hand,
and contemplated their jingle and gilt
ter with the delight of q new Midas.
But the first thought that welled up in
his heart to welcome this strange
wealth was bravely unselfish.
Gold counters, on my honor Dear
drops from the divine stream of Pacto-
lus. Good sir will you straightway
dispatch some one you can trust with
a handful of these broad pieces to the
Church of the Celestins and inquire
of the beadle there for the dwelling OF
Mother Villon, poor old woman, sorely
| plagued with q Scapegrace son? Let