Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-02-14

girls gathered together, chatting like
sparrows, each speaking rapidly:
1.-The gentleman is a wizard. Why,
he told me
'Enne, a miracle; he reminded
me-
"Why, he knows"
Each girl was whispering to the other
what Villon had told her, when Villon
interrupted them.
Young women, young women, the
world is a devil OF a place for those who
are poor. l could preach you a power
full sermon on your follies and frailties,
but, somehow, the words stick in my
gullet. Here is a gold coin apiece for
you. Go and gather yourself roses, my
roses, TO take bach to what, heaven pity
you! you call your homes"
Jehanneton gave a little gasp of sur
prise.
Are we freeY"
Villon answered her sadly:
Free? Poor children! Such as you
are never free. Go and pray heaven to
make men better, for the sake of your
daughters daughters"
His extended hands were full of gold
pieces, but they were soon emptted by
the eager girls who pounced upon them.
Then they left him with many curtsies
and sa~lutations Int drifted away de-
lSnleuly lnto lhe, ildNSS 'hS i~
garden.
Villon turned to look at the men pris-
oners, who were ~anXiously scanning his
actions.
LAS for these gentlemen" he said to
Noel, ''let them go where they will, but
first give them food and drink ana a
pocketful of money"
The effect of his words was almost as
paralyzing upon the rogues as 1t was
upon Messire Noel. 1t pleased the one
as much as it displeased the other.
Noel looked the contempt he did not
venture to express. The men rushed
forward, choking with gratitude.
God save you, SIR
your excellency is Of a most excel
lent excellence"
Long live the grand c~onstable!"
"A most rare constable"
Villon waved them away.
go your ways" he said, land If you
can, mend them"
Shouting and dancing for Joy the men
took advantage Of his permission and
disappeared in their turn among the al
leys OF the rose garden, seeking and
finding the wandering women and van
ishing with them in due curse into the
la%bryinths of Paris.
Villon turned to Noel.
you may dismiss your soldiers" he
said. ATTEND me within call" and as
Noel obeyed him, he advanced to where
Huguette was standing, with a smile
Of scornful Indifference still on her fair
face.
Villon asked himself as he went:
why, in Gods name, does the world
appear so different today? Is 1t the
thing they all the better self, or mere
ly this purple and fine linen?"
What he said when he came to the
girl was,
Fair mistress, you have q comely
face and you make it very plain that
you nave a comedy figure. Why do you
go thus?"
The girl shrugged her green shoulders
and shifted the balance of her body
from one green leg to the other, as she
answered impudently,
For ease and freedom, to please my
self, and to show my fine shape to
please others"
Last night this girl had been his own
familiar friend; today she lay leagues
away from his fairy greatness. There
was pity In his next speech.
Are you a happy woman, mistress?'
Happy enough" she answered as she
snapped her fingers defantly, when
fools like you don't clap me into prison
for living my life In my own way"
Il may be a fool, but l did not clap
you into prison. Heaven Forbid"
\ curious look came into the girls
eyes, and she drew q little nearer to
him. Her voice was q Caress; the tenor
OF her hands was a caress; every supple
curve OF her alluring body caressed.
She seemed to coax him, cat-like, as
she whispered:
your voice sounds familiar, Mon
seigneur. Had / ever the honor to
serve you?"
Villon drew away from her. He felt
suddenly body-sick and soul-sick; sorry
for the woman sorry for himself.
''Who knows?" he answered. The
girl laughed and turned aside.
who cares? What are you going to
do with me?"
set you free, my delicate bird of
prey. Those wild wings were never
meant for clipping and caging. Is
there anything l can do to please you?"
on the instant her enticement shifted;
all her being was a tremendous en-
treaty.
What has come to Master Francois
Villon?"
why do you ask?"
HE was witA us when we were
shared last night. But he did not
share our prison and he is not with us
now. Does he live?'
Villon hesitated for a moment before
speaking.
He lives. He is banished from Paris,
but he lives"
Huguette clasped her hands in graft
tude.
The sweet saints be thanked" she
said: and there was that. in her voice
which made the simple words sound
very sincere to Villon' ears.
What do you care for the fate Of this
fellow?"
las 1 am a fool, l believe 1 love him."
Heavens mercy Why?"
Il canno tell you, Messire. A look in
his eyes, a trick Of his voice-the some
1870 thn nothing that makna O Lun-