The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-04-17

Louis babe Montjoye proclaim for
the last time, and once again the trurn-
pets Numbered and once again the cold,
calm voice Of MontJeye propounded the
grim terms Of the kings clemency.
The silence that followed was swiftly
girl.
II WILL said Katherine de Vaucelies
from her stand on the church steps. and
on the instant all eyes were turned To
the spot where the maiden stood with
face as white as pear-blossom and her
She moved slowly down the steps in
he dead silence and paused before the
kings throne.
II will die for him. sire" she said
quietly.
From villon's lips there came a
mighty cryfof "Katherine!" a faint
Spot Of color rose on the kings cheeks.
Mistress, we speak to men, he said.
Tristan pressed his great hands to-.
gether.
by st. Denis, women seem to
make the best men" he grunted.
Katherine stood, tall and proud,
facing the king. Mother yillon. stirred
son to fall at the feet of the angel lady
and kiss, the hem of her garment.
Katherine spoke bravely:
Sire. I love this man and would be
proud to die for i'm. It may chime
with your pleasure to slay him: 1t an
Your word is given and a king must
keep his word.
Tie king made an impatient gesture.
WE speak to men,"
Villon caught at his words.
7 speak to a woman" he cried, and
called to her: katherine. my Kath-
crime. death is a little thing. For love
is deathless and you give me a better
thing than life"
with unmoved voice, with unchanged
face, Katherine persisted:
Sire, I claim your promise"
Louis again denied her.
W speak to men. Tristan, do your
Office"
At this moment the situation sud
denly changed. yfllen unexpectedly
wrenched himself free from h control
Of the two soldiers beside him, whose
hold had relaxed In their wonder at
what was passing. and sprang towards
Katherine. His act instantly inspired
the hearts and hands of his sympathtz-
ers, and in q second he was caught up
and enctrc1ed by q crowd of armed and
determined men, who drove back the
Scottish archers. Villon snatched q
drawn sword from the hand Of Rene
de Montigny and held 1t high in the
air while he shouted:
mo. by Gods rood, the candle of my
grace has not yet burn to the socket!
People Of Paris, shall I not speak to my
lover before I die?"
The place was a raving bedlam of
noise and menace. The Scottish archers
did not dare to make n attempt to re-
capture their escaped prisoner, but kept
their line in front Of the royal dais,
while Villon stood by the side of Kath-
crime with drawn sword, an angel of in
dy7rrapffnr @ roadvN of any mnmPnf 70
fling the forces behind him upon his
adversartes. Yet the king remained as
unfnoved as If he had been witnessing a
puppet show. In his thin, ever voice,
he commanded:
Speak to her while the candle burns,
not a second longer"
With one accord Villon's adherents
drew back and villon was left with
Katherine alone in the open space.
Katherine whispered to him.:
francois, will you not lake life at
my hands 2"
Villon answered her tenderly:
Dear child, If that crowned Judas
there had taken you at your word, do
you think I would nave outlived you by
the space OF a second ~ 4
She looked fxedly into his eyes.
you are resolved?"
He smiled back at her.
IT am as stubborn as a mule and no
pleadings will move me"
She looked over her shoulder with q
shudder.
Dearest, the candle hickers in the
| wind. There is a dagge In your g1rdle.
| Stay me and yourself,
"You mean it," he gasped, and she
answered firmly:
by Gods Mother and Gods Son"
A sudden. wonderful thought flashed
through Ytllon's mind. He had won
love, he could not hope to win life, but
- Jaacf no ynipht Sn manage as to die
a soldiers death and not a knave's. he
whispered to her eagerly:
Then we will spoil old Louis pleas
ure yet. Love, will you marry me here
at the foot of the gallows?"
She answered him:
With all my heart"
Instantly he turned and left her and
strobe towards the throne.
king, L crave your patience, but
your sentence must tarry and turn, for
! I claim TO marry this d
Louis smiled derisively.
"It is toolate. Sing your neck-rhyme
and have DONE, for your moose Is too
large for a wedding ring"
Villon gave him back smile for smile.
sire" he said, II am q master Of
arts Of the University of Paris and as
| such have the right in extremis to any
| sacrament Of the church. I ave lived
a confirmed bachelor, but now I have a
| mind to change my state. Find me a
priest, King Louis"
Olivier stopped to the king.
He speaks h truth, sire. He can
claim his right"
Louis leaned forward interested.
What do you hope to gain by this?"
ViIlon answered calmly:
"The right to die like a soldier by the
sword, not like a rogue by the rope"
a murmur of approval stirred the
silent crowd, but 1t died away as Kath-
crime suddenly advanced and stood, a
white figure like a fair lily, between the
king and Villon.
NAY. you gain more than this. I am
the lady Katherine de Vaucelles, ktns-
woman of the royal house, mistress Of a
hundred lands, grand seneschale of Gas
cony, warden Of the Marches Of Poi
tou. In my own domains I exercise the
high Justice and the low This man is
Of humble birth, and when I marry him
he becomes my vassal. Over my vas
sails I hold the law of life and cath"