The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-13
CHAPTER vi.
GARDEN LOVE.

-H
On the terrace the fair girl leaned
n looked over at the garden and it's
solden occupant. To the Eyes of VIII
ION her beauty had never seemed rarer,
the wild passion which had
prompted him to spin mis- very soul In
10 song burnt with a new, delicious
strength of hope. He stared at her as
a Worshlper might stare at some sud-
uen VISION OF a long dreamed of god
dess, n as he stared, Olivier descend
ed the steps, soft-footed, and came and
stood before him
My lord, there is a lady there who
desires to speak with you"
Vlllon turned his gaze unwillingly
from h gracious apparition above
MN to the somber servftor.
! desire to speak with her." he said
earnestly, and again his. eyes Travelled
IN the direction of the lady.
olivier came close to him and
touched him respectfully on the wrist.
Remember, my lord he said, very
softiy, that O are Francois of Cor
peull. lord of Montcorbier, grand con-
stable of France, newly come to Paris
from the court of his majesty of
written in letters of gold upon tables
OF iron. Forget all else. The king
commands It,"
The words sounded DULY enough on
V1lon's brain, absorbed as he was in
the contemplation of his queen, but at
least they served to convince him of
what he a already begun to assure
nlmself, that for some purpose or other
King Louis wished him well and grant
ed him golden chances.
of Corbeuil, count of Mont
corbler, stood in a very different rela-
ton to the Lady Katherine from that
OF the poet and goalbird who had
rhymed and sighed and battled In the
Ffrcone tavern last night.
THE king shall be obeyed," he said
gravely, and Olivier, turning, made a
steps slowly. AS she reached the last
step, Olivier saluted Vinon and the
lad profoundly and, mounting the
steps, vanished within the palace.
The man and the woman were left
alone In the rose garden. Villon felt a
sudden strange sensation at his heart,
exquisite pain and exquisite pleasure,
n he clasped his hands together.
Il am awake" he assured himself:
no dream could be as fair, as she"
Even at the thought, Katherine flung
herself swiftly at his feet, divinely gra-
c1ous In her surrender Of dignity as
she kneeled to him with uplifted i'm
ploring hands and eyes.
My lord" h cried, will you listen
70 q distressed Qy!
Wilton stopped and caught her white
myers and drew her to her feet.
Not while the lady kneels," he said
gently, and he looked with a strange
apprehension into the frank, bright
eyes of Katherine. Would she know
him for h he was, he wondered. He
read no recognition in her sweet eyes.
Katherine returned his gaze, unfinch-
tngly regarding him as a great lady
might regard some stranger her equal
or whom h could ask a favor.
"She does not know me-" villon's de-
light cried in his heart, and at the
thought his spirit f1uttered with fierce
~exaltation. The lord of Montcorbier,
who was grand constable Of France,
might say many things that were de-
MED TO the lips of Francois villon.
Katherine pleaded warmly:
There is a man in prison at this
hour for whom I would implore YOUR
clemency. His name is Francois Viii
lon. Last night he wounded Thibaut
d'Aussigny-"
Villon smiled a contented smile.
Thereby making room for me- he
suggested.
Katherine went on u%nheeding:
The penalty is death. But Thibaut
was a traitor sold to Burgundy"
did this Villon fight him for his
treason?"
mo. He fought him for the sake of
a woman. He risked his life with a
light heart because a woman asked
him"
How do you know all this?"
Because I was the woman. This
man had seen me, thought he loved me.
sent me verses
"How insolent!"
1T was insolence-and yet they were
beautiful verses. I was in mortal fear
of Thibaut d.Aussigny. I went to this
Villon and begged him to kill my en-
envy. He backed his love tale with his
sword-and he lies in the shadow of
death. It. is no just that he should
suffer for my SIM"