The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-02-13

The two men leered at each other
across Vlllon, hoping that their praises
of each other might have due effect
upon the great lord who seemed so con-
descending to them. Villon smiled
You are the Castor and Pollux of
purity? Do you remember the night of
last Shrove Tuesday and the girl you
carried off to Fat Margot's and held
to ransom"
The effect of his words upon the two
men was startling. The ugly episode
doomed up in their memories and they
shivered to find it known. In a second
the simulated friendship of bandit for
bandit vanished n the two men
glared at each other with the ferocity
OF fighting dogs as they hurled accusa-
ton n denial at each other:
That was Collins ~adventure!"
That was Casin's e%nterprise!"
Il deplored it."
II had no hand in it,"
Forgetting their respect for author
ity in the fury of their
they struck angrily at each other
across their questioner and were Crap
ping in close combat when Villon made
a signal and they. in their turn, were
dragged back raging into the ranks of
their fellow prisoners.
There was only one left now-Jehan
lie Loup-Who stood with folded arms
and lowering brows, surveying the eff
forts of his comrades. Villon made a
sign, and the man was dragged into
ms presence. Villon clapped him on the
shoulder.
You seem a brisk, assured fellow
for a man in duress."
me friendly demeanor of the great
mar cheered the prisoner and he an
sWered bluff1y:
NJ y good conscience sustains me-"
Vlllon's demeanor was still amicable
as he put his text question in a voice
that came only to Jchan's ears.
Il am glad to heal it. How did The
Venln Pensete come to his death?"
Inc muscles of Jehan lie Loup's face
tW1tched for a moment, but he clinched
mis- fingers tightly to restrain himself
and answered with a surly impassabil-
ity:
"How should I know, my lord?"
Vlllon drew him nearer INC spoke
lower still.
Who better? That nasty quarrel
over the cards, the high words and a
snatch for the winnings, a tilted table,
an eXtlnguished taper, a stab in the
dark and a roam. Exit Thevenin Pen
sete. Your dagger doesn't grow rusty"
Jehan's face grew grayer and uglier,
but he kept his countenance.
".. oI1SelSl leuI, lie answered.. Il loved
him like a brother
"As Cain loved Abel" Villon said. He
made a sign, and Jehan lie Loup was
taken back to his fellows.
So far Villon had been sufficiently di-
verified. He a played upon the terrors
of his friends, he had bewildered them
to the top of his desire. He now fore
saw the possibility of sport more deli
cate as his glance fell upon the group
of girls who 01nctarn1 tnrothor HE
frightened birds at the foot of the
statue of ParR He made a sign to Mes
sire Noel, and the gilded exquisite drew
near
Bring me hither those four gentle
women" he commanded.
The fop's face heightened with
amazed Misrepresentation.
"GentleWomen, messire? Those foul
doxies?"
Villon reproved him.
"They are women, good captain. and
you and l are gentlemen, or should be-
n must use them gently.
Messire Noel frowned and his hand
made a gesture in the direction of his
sword -hilt: then he remembered the
folly of quarreling with so great a man
and contented himself with Struggling
his shoulders as he questioned:
And the demirep in the doublet and
hose?"
Let her stay for the present" Villor
answered, and in obedience to a sign
from Noel the four girls came timidly
forward with downcast eyes,, while HUI
guette remained apart, leaning COM
posedly against the image of Pan and
surveying the scene with "a good
humored Indifference.
When the girls were close to him, Viii
Ion spoke:
We'll, young ladies, what is this
trade of yours that has brought you
into trouble.
Jehanneton dropped a courtesy.
Il make the caps that line helmets
Isabeau followed quickly:
II am a lace weaver. Enne, an hon
est trade"
Blanche came next.
T am a slipper maker"
Denise ended the catalogue.
And I a glover"
Mischief danced in Vlllon,s eyes.
No worse and no better. A word ir
POUR ear" He whispered something in
to each girls ear in turn, n as he die
so, each girl started, drew back, looked
confused, aanghed and hlushed.
IT is ever to be deplored hat thu
worthy DOm Gregory. whose ,ecclesias.
teal history Of Potion is the source O.
so much curious information concern.
Ing Vtllon, should have omitted, from
Ia mistaken sense OF. delieacy, to chroni
Gle precisely what it WAS HI the poe
Whispered in the ears of Zach of tn,
girls. All he c~ondescends to record il
ms crabbed canine Latin, is that Vii
Ion showed so much intimate acuuaint
fance with certain physical peculiaritie
or Whimsical adventures private t,
each damsel that she ,believed tn
speakers knowledge to be little les
than supernatural. LteEature.o tn
skIttish sort must deplore the monasti
reticence, but history can do no NOR
than accept it and leave imaaginatinn +
fill in the blank as best it phases
All history is certain Of is that III
girls gathered together, Chatting ill
sparrows, each speaking rapidly:
1The gentleman is a wizard. why
he told me-"
.Enne. a miracle; he pemindes
me"
Why. he Knows
Each girlgwas whispering to the otha
u what yillon had told her.. when ViIIo,
interrupted them.
Young women, young women. tn,
World is a devil OF a place for those VIII,
are poor. I could preach you a power,
U sernon on your follies and frailties
but, somehow, the words stick ia "a,
gullet. Here is a gold coin apiece 70;
You. Go and gather yourself roses, N,
roses. to Take backsto what, heaven pit
YOU you call your homes"
EEALF - VI AFhr IEEk- 80 Ll