Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-03-26

Something in the kings words struck
upon Villon's fiery hopes like q stream
of Ice cold water and seemed to quench
them. He was like a man who, long
playing at blind-man's buff, suddenly
has the bandage plucked from his eyes
and stands dazzled and blinking in
the sunlight. After ALL he was not the
count OF Montcorbier; after all, he was
not the grand constable of France; af-
ter all. he was only masquerading
beggar who had won the heart Of a
Indy under false tolors: who had tri-
umphed by flying, a false flag. In all
those seven splendid days this simple
Thought had never to come to him. His
whole soul had been SO taken captive
by the fascination of the, part he had
been permitted to play that he, forgot
ne was playing part. and allowed his
fancy to believe that a week-long
dream would endure forever. Now. he
knew himself and what he had done
and what he must do. A divine farce
had turned to sudden tragedy. He
turned TO the king With a groan.
Cheat, lies" he repeated. Sire, those
KIN me IL I fail to win her, but I Will
tear this mask from my face, this false
mood frcm my heart"
Louis Erinned at him ~
Please yourself. Win her or swing.
Either way contents me-"
AS he spoke. he turned away Kath-
crime had descended the steps
grass to greet her hero who
stood with clasped hands In the moon
Hight like a man struck dumb. Kath-
crime was carrying in her hands a
crimson scarf fringed with gold, and
she lifted 1t to him as she spoke.
Wear this with my prayers. With
IT, give you my hand and heart. You
shall carry my plighted troth with you
into the battles Let me tell my love
to all the world,' =.
Swiftly';ahd lightly she threw 1t
words, but now he spoke:
Walt. wait! You must say no more
until YOU know me-" 4;
The girls eyes widened with sur
prise.
t-1oo;fanotikn6w you?'s
! SllYn thrust his face, forward very
::lsedk into my face. he said: 5..1sools
reid 80 e6 9u Of see eh n9thm5 there that
kathert1ie smiled aivinely. ~
3 .Of happy hours in this rose garden
Wilton insisted fiercely: ~.
No, no! OF n dark night, tavern,
'a cloaked woman, "a ,sordid fellow
dreaming sottishly by the fire, a pray
er, love tale and a promise, crowd
or bullies and wantons. a quarrel, a
fight with sword and. lantern in the
from a gallery
Katherine recoiled a little, with a
horror in her eyes.
she asked.
v1tllof 5dropped on his knees with a
groan.
Here is the knot of ribbon which
you flung to me in the Fircone tavern,
OH pity met! am Francois Villon."
/ Katherine pressed her hands to her
forehead
y can; hear what you say, but ii
makes no mark on my braln.''
Nilfon's words ran fast from him:
Il am Francois Villon and yet no
longer he, for my old evil self is dead
am Francois Villo9 lwho served you
with his sword, who praised you with
his pen, and who loves you with all. his
The girls whole body shook with fea1
!, " isn't true. 1t isn't true; I,don't
believe YOU
Nillon sprang to his feet 80, ~ II
"WhateKsr my fate IS" he cried. you
Shall know the TRUTH
lsusiing' to where sthe, released con-
Splrattotlrs stood apart, he called to then
,neremptorily:
HERE. ss
tareir Own nhmes by so great "a per-
-
ll'itsnte. the thieves erept forward tim
,iHky,And.l in obedience to.Villon's com
gestures. gathered about him
as he tufhedSto them. pressing his face
TO! their faces, and cried:
Look at, me closer-closer. Don't
you know Francois Villon in spite OF
this new spirit shining in his eyes?"
Rene de Montigny gave a cry OF
recognition.
You are so strangely changed"
Guy Tabarie Endorsed him.
still. tbs his dear old countenance.'
Katherine watching the scene in sicl
despair, turned piteously to the king.
Sire, .sre, is this true?'
Louis, who had been watching al
~ith unmtigated satisfaction, an.
swered tleeringly:
Most true. pretty mistress. Yo,
NAA''NatiiitSN l.iG LUZ lIllS.
With blazing eyes and trembling
hands Katherine moved across tn.
grass to where Villon stood,
Pitiful traitor, Why did you live thi.
lie?"
Villon pleaded desperately:
Il loved you.'
Katherine's anger famed into a grea
fire.
do not shame the sweet word.
hot
have learned to love should mask 81
base heart."
Then as Nillon drew little closer t,
her, In an agony of entreaty. she strucl
out at him With both hands, beatin,
him on the breast in an unconquerabl,
fury. Nillon bowed beneath the blow
While she ragged at him:
You have stolen my love like thief
you have crucified my pride. 1 hat
you. Go back to the dregs and lees o
life. skullS in your tavern, forget wha
! shall never forget. that so base
thing as you ever came near met"
The king was by her side in an in
slant and whispering into her ear:
rs this the course of true love?"
She swung upon him in scorn.
Sire. you have wreaked royal re
venge upon n woman. There are NJ
tears in my eyes yet. but 1 pray the.
WIN coihe lilftt may weep myself cleal
of this memory"
With clasped hands and set lips sh
moved away from Louis and stoo
apart in the moonlight. fixed an
rigid figure of despair. Louis steppe
to where Nillon stood in stricken an
guish and whispered to him:
Il am afraid you Will hang tomor
row, Master Villon.'
Nillon threw back his head defiantly
II should be glad to greet the gallow
now, but l haze a deed to do before