The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-27

# -HAiN = NohS ~ e. SoeA ! . =
ION Numbered. Give me my week @
wonders, though i die a dogs deaf
at the end of it. I will show Franc
n her what lay in the hear Of tn
poor rhymster."
Louis ~applauded, clapping his THU
hands together gleefu1ly. -
Spoken like a man! But remember
a bargains a bargain. If you fail t.
win the lady, you must, with heaven:
help, keep yourself for the gallows. NJ
self-slaughter, no f1inging away you
life on some other FOOLS sword. 1 Civ
you the moon, but 1 want my price FOL
It."
villon's blood now ran warm agar
In it's channels, and he answered stout.
ty:
Sire, I will keep my bargain. Give
me my week of opportunity, n If
do not make the most of 1t I shall de-
serve the death to which you devote
me-
Even as he spoke the air was
stirred with a cheerful flourish OF
trumpets and the quiet garden was in
vaded by Tristan THermite and a COM
pany of soldiers, escorting a tall n
stately gentleman, whose gorgeous ta-
bard proclaimed him to be Toison dor,
the herald Of the duke of Burgundy.
The news of his coming had run
through the palace, and the terrace was
Suddenly flooded with courtiers and
ladies eager to hear what the enemy's
envoy had to say and what nswer the
king would send back to him. Louis
seated himself on the marble seat
anigh the image Of Pan and drew VIII
ion down beside him.
Listen well to this mans words, my
lord constable" he whispered, and then
turning to the cleaning figure Of the
herald, he demanded:
o message, sir?"
ToiSon dor advanced q few feet
nearer to the monarch and spoke in a
ringing voice.
I'm the name of the duke Of Bur-
gundy and of his allies and brothers.
in-arms assembled in solemn Lacquer
outside the walls of Paris. 1 hereby
ummon you, Louis Of France, to sur
render this city Internationally n to
yield yourself in confidence to my mas
ter's mercy"
The king folded his hands over his
knees and inclined his head a little,
like an inquiring bird.
And If we refuse, Sir Herald? p"
The herald answered promptly:
The worst disasters of war, fire and
sword and famine, much blood to shed
und much gold to pay and for yourself
no hope of pardon"
Great words" the king sneered.
The herald replied proudly:
The angels of great Deeds"
Villon had been sitting listening as a
man listens in a dream, almost uncon-
scious of what was taking place.
Among the ladies on the terrace Kath-
erine stood conspicuous in her youth
and beauty, and to her his eyes were
turned in worship. The quarrels Of
great princes, the destinies Of France
were for the moment indifferent to
him. He forgot his high desires Of
empire, his swelling belief in hts real
mission. He was only conscious that a
great prize lay temptingly within his
grasp, that he might win his hearts
desire. Louis Interrupted his reverfe:
The count Of M~ontcorbier, constable
or France, is my counsellor. His voice
delivers my mind. Speak. friend, and
give this messenger his answer"
He touched Villon on the arm and
Villon turned to him in establishment,
A I Will, sire?"
The king caught him up impatientIy.
Yes, go on. go on. If villon were the
King Of France"
Villon leaped to his feet and ad-
toward the herald. A wild ex-
ultation filled his veins with fire. He
felt as II he were the lord Of the world,
as If his hands held HI scales that de-
the destin1es OF nations. He had
always dreamed of the great deeds he
would do. and now great deeds were
possible to him, and at least he would
try to do them. He looked straight in
TO the herald's changefess face, but his
he2rt Skinned Katherine as he spoke.
Herald OF Burgundy, in Gods name
and the kings. I bid you go back to
Vn1fr roCSar md COW &ls-, Iy;-.. -
great in the eyes of their people, but
the people are great in the eyes of God,
n 1t Is the people of France who an
ewer you In the lame Of this epitome.
The people of Paris are not SO poor of
spirit that they fear the croak Of the
Burgund1an raven. We are well VIC
tualled, We are we'll armed; we lie snug
at your Lacquer. But when we
who eat are hungry, when we who
drink are dry, when we who glow are
frozen, when there is neither bite on
the board nor sup in the pitcher nor
spark upon the hearth, our answer to |
rebeliious Burgundy wifi be the same.
You are knocking at u doors, beware
lest we open them and come forth to
speak with u enemy at the gate. We
give o back defiance for defiance,
menace for menace, blow for blow. |
This is our anSwer-this and the
sword. God and ST. Denis for
the king of France!!"
AS he spoke, he drew his sword and
it aloft in the sunlight. There
was c%ontagion in his buring words, and i
every soldier present barred his blade |
and pointed 1t to heaven, while Villon's
cry was repeated upon a hundred lips.
AS Toison dor turned and left the
presence, Katherine came swiftly downt
the stc-s and flung herself at Villon's
feet.
MY lord" she said. with my lips
the women Of France thank you for
your words of fame"
Louis leaned forward, smiling sar-
donically.
Mistress. what does this mean?" he
questioned.
The girl rose to her feet, looking into
face with eyes that mirrored
the admiration shining in his eyes.
1t means, sire, that a man has come
TO court!"
CHAPTER VIII.
A WORD WITH DOM GREGORY.
1t is a thousand pities that the ma
fer1als for building up a practical pre-
Of tho raal lffa etor-, - nH--