The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-03-13
lay wide and white. She ansve,

quietly: ""eieo
My soul was in bud a week ago
IoaaX 1t Is In blossom"
Ixoei threw up his arms impatiently,
Q nave mercy! What can this
lelioW do that is denied me-? Can he
ssiide a morse, or fly q hawk better?
snow q brighter sword In quarrel, or
tune a smoother lutte in calm? Can he
Guidance me, out-drink me. out-cour-
tier me, out-soldier me? No. no. no,
ana must ] now believe that he can
out-love me?" - 20
Katherine, weary of the controversy.
pesan to ascend the steps to the palace.
n spoke as she mounted:
When q man comes to court, It is
worm while to be a woman. You will
.eaIn some day, Sir Noel, If you grow
to be a man."
Noel retorted:
1t is no great blazon to be the favor
tie OF a king. Gentlemen who brag
little may dc much. The old love may
outlast the new"
Katherine frowned at his mystery.
lou speak like a scented Sphinx, but
! am TOO idle for enigmas. FAREWELL"
n she vanished into the palace.
Noel looked after her f~retfully.
why are the women all sunf1owers
r. AS dShSO IlIlSGll-
ENORMOUSLY. We'll, there are other
women, n a wise man gathers the
nearest grapes"
A fagon n cup stood on the table
py the marble seat. Noel poured him
SELF out some wine and drank it, seek
ing consolation. His duty called him
shortly to the service Of the king, but.
ne fingered in the garden on the chance
OF a hoped-for meeting.
II shall he W. ce5 >, ha GO "a - bf~,
self, IF my astrologer plays his part
tells the weak king that this Lord
OF Montcorbier Is his evil SPIRIT
His thoughts were busy with the
events of the past week; If Katherine
had been disdainful, the girl Huguette
mad been kind, and the Golden Scull
had found the dainty soldier a frequent
visitor. It was Huguette who, after
listening to Noel's complaints of the
grand constable, had suggested to him,
in apparent artlessness Of heart, that
ne could play upon the kings supersti-
lions through a new astrologer and had
promised to find him a star-gazer who
would say anything and everything
that Messire Noel wished to have. said.
The scheme had appealed to Noel, and
this very evening he expected Huguette
to bring the a%strologer to him. to which
end he had III her with a pass
word which would admit strangers into
the royal garden.
!: AS he unused, a figure in a pilgrims
! gown came cautiously out Of the
shadows into the moonlight behind him
) and stood for a moment watching him
1.-THE god Pan could see the ace that
smiled under the pilgrims hood-a
girls face, with bright eyes framed in
5 Noel, she slipped a mask over her face
: drew her pilgrims gown closely about
her slim body, n tip-toed lightly
across the grass to touch Noel on the
shoulder.
Noel turned with a:start, and faced
as he believed, a masquerading palmer
! May I vend you a benevolence, gen
tleman?" Huguette asked, Disgusting
e her voice in an unfamiliar g%ruffness.
Noel waved aside i~mportunacy.
Pass your ways. pilgrim. I am in nj
mood for motley"
He r away, but the persisten
pilgrim followed him. ii
Are you in a maids mood, or
mood for a maid?"
h Noel stopped impatiently.
Are you pander as well as pilgrim
: I wait for a woman
The pilgrims pertinacity was not t
e be baff1ed.
: SIS she tall or short, young or ole
h dark or fair, sweet or sour?' s
Noel answered whimsically:
g"She is Of the color Of the chameleon
n Of the age of the ancient world, Of tn
n height of any mans heart, n as bit
: ter-sweet as a crushed ounce"
The girl pulled off her mask an
threw back her hood.
us she of my feet, favor, years an
n savor?"
II The moment he saw her face NOT
gave a cry or delight.
IS You are welcome, WITCH" he shoutet
for you bring the best love in TT
world" =
He sprang to catch the girl in h
q arms, but she ~repulsed him gently.
II "Hush! I am no love-monger nov
no gallantry girl, but a most polit
~ plotter. The world spins like a potter
!, wheel to shape the vessel of our ente'
- prise. We have a wizard ready II
!. your king. Will Louis come"
y Noel nodded decisively.
a GAS linnet to looking glass. He
greedy Of star wisdom. Does yo'
astrologer know his lesson?"
HE is parrot-perfect. When all
quiet, give an owls cry thrice, and
friend will bring him. He will wal
!, the king against his grand constabl
he will praise Tristan, applaud Cllvie
; and m MeSSlfe NoeA le 0oAys'
> Noel chuckled.
"Then I shall be king of the cast
"a and you shall have a great gold cha
"a and pearls as big as a virgins tears
Noel did not detect the scorn in II
guette's voice, as she answered WI
apparent amiability:
-. "You know h way to win a Wor
nv an"
ny IT am no jingling rhyme-broker
- thank heaven!" Noel cried. 1 pay T
~ way"
!, he spoke and sought to kiss her, Q
~ che avoided him dexterously.
II will kiss you when you WIN s
cried. .,
Noel would have pushed his suit II
sa ther. but at that moment the gre
ne clock of the palace chimed the ha
hour and struck upon his memory
n well as upon his ear. He KNEW
"a the king expected him and he aba
~ - doned his love making reluctantly
:" you are indeed a politician"
:, sighed. II must wait on the king"
He opened the door Of the TOW
,nd stood for a me looking