Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-02-26

"And l take it at your hands!" VIII
Ion Numbered. GIVE me my week of
wonders, though die a dogs death
at the end of it. will show France
and her what lay in the heart of the
poor rhymster."
Louis applauded, clapping his thin
hands together gleefully.
Spoken like man! But remember,
bargains a bargain. If you fail to
win the lady, you must, with heavens
help, keep yourself for the gallows. No
self-slaughter, no flinglng away your
life on some other FOOLS sword. l give
you the moon, but want my price for
It,"
villons blood now ran warm again
In its channels, and he answered stout
ly:
"Sire, will keep my bargain. Give
me my week of opportunity, and if l
do not make the most of it shall de-
me-"
Even as he spoke the air was
stirred with cheerful flourish of
trumpets and the quiet garden was in-
vaded by Tristan HHermite and COM
pany Of soldiers, escorting tall and
stately gentleman, whose gorgeous ta-
bard proclaimed him to be Toison d Or,
The news of his coming had run
through the palace, and the terrace was
suddenly flooded with courtiers and
ladies eager to hear what the enemys
envoy had to say and what answer the
king would send back to him. Louis
seated himself on the marble seat
anigh the image of Pan and drew Viii
Ion down beside him.
Listen we'll to this mans words, my
lord constable" he whispered, and then
turning to the cleaning figure of the
herald, he demanded:
Your message, sir?'
Toison dor advanced q few feet
nearer to the monarch and spoke in a
ringing voice.
I'm the name of the duke of Bur
gundy and of his allies and brothers.
in-arns assembled in solemn Lacquer
outside the walls of Paris, l hereby
summon you, Louis of France to sur
render this city Internationally and to
yield yourself in confidence to my mas
ter's mercy"
The king folded his hands over his
knees and inclined his head 4 little.
like an inquiring bird.
"And If we refuse Sir Herald?"
The herald answered promptly:
"The worst disasters of war, fire and
sword and famine, much blood to shed
and much gold to pay and for yourself
no hope of pardon"
Great words" the king sneered.
The herald replied proudly:
1.-THE angels of great deeds"
Villon had been sitting listening as a
man listens in dream. almost uncon-
scious of what was taking place.
Among the ladies on the terrace Kath-
crime stood conspicuous in her youth
and beauty, and to her his eyes We're
turned in worship. The quarrels of
great princes, the destinies of France
We're for the moment indifferent to
him. He forgot his high desires of
empire, his swelling belief in his real
mission. He was only conscious that a
great prize lay temptingly within his
grasp, that he might win his hearts
desire. Louis interrupted his reverie:
The count of Montcorbier, constable
OF France, is my counsellor. His voice
delivers my mind. Speak, friend, and
give this messenger his answer"
He touched Villon on the arm and
Villon turned to him in astoniahment.
"As will, sire?"
The king caught him up impatiently.
Eyes, go on, go on. If Yillon were the
king of France"
Villon leaped to his feet and adj
vanced toward the herald. A wild ex-
ultation filled his veins with fire. He
felt as If he We're the lord of the World,
as If his hands held the scales that de-
cided the destinies of nations. He had
always dreamed of the great deeds he
would do, and now great deeds We're
possible to him, and at least he would
try to do them. He looked straight in
to the herald's changeiess face but his
heart shrined katherine as he spoke.
Herald of burgundy, in Gods name
and the kings. bid you go back tn
your master and say this: Kings are
great in the eyes of their people, but
the people are great in the eyes of God,
and 1t Is the people OF France who am
swer you In the name of this epitome
The people of Paris are not so poor OF
spirit that they fear the croak of the
tualled, we are we'll armed; we lie snug
and warm behind our stout walls; we
laugh at your Lacquer. But when we
who eat are hungry. when we who
drink are dry, when we who glow are
frozen, when there is neither bite on
the board nor sup in the pitcher nor
spark upon the hearth, our answer to
rebellious Burgundy will be the same
You are knocking at our doors, beware
lest we open them and come forth to
speak with our enemy at the gate. We
give you back defiance for defiance
menace for menace, blow for blow
This Is our answer-this and the
drawn sword. God and st. Denis 70,
the king of France!"
AS he spoke, he drew his sword anl
flashed 1t aloft In the sunlight. There
was contagion in his buring words, anG
every soldier present barred his blade
and pointed 1t to heaven, While Villon's