Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-02-05

In line before him at the base of the
terrace, and their prinked and fragrant
captain came trippingly forward and
saluted Niilon, presenting to HIM at the
same time piece OF paper, covered
with writing.
MY lord" he said, dapperly. here
are the names of these night birds.
Villon took the paper and looked
straightly into the young mans eyes.
Have we ever met before?' he
asked.
Noel lie Jolys made deprecatory
gesture.
Alas! no., he said. Your lordship
has swept into court like an unheraldea
comet. You shall tell us tales OF Prov
ence to please our ladies'"
Still gravely looking at him, Nillon
questioned him again.
sMessire Noel, if you and had a
mind to pluck the same rose from this
garden, which of us would VIM"
The affable fiibbies Intelligence APP
peared to be bailied.
II do not understand YOU" he pro-
tested.
Villon shrugged his shoulders. New
CT mind he said, seating himself again
| OH the marble seat and looking at the
familiar names on The piece of paper.
He was fairly convinced by this
time that he was not wandering in the
labyrinth of a dream, that he really
was awake, but that for some reason
which he was unable TO fathom he had
been thus strangely transmitted into
the semblance of splendor and au-
thority.
The popinjay fails to recognize me-
he said to himself; 80 may my bull.
ly n hat ,,tr],t II, ~,
tigny was pushed forward by couple
| of soldiers and stood sullenly defiant
before him
Nillon leaned forward, oddly inter-
ested In the grotesque turn of things
which put him in this position with his
Old companion and fellow scamp.
1cu are he questioned.
de Montigny, of gentle blood, fallen on
ungeEtle days
Through no fault of your own, of
course?"
as your grace surnises, through no
; fault of my own. i am poor, but, 1
thank my stars, am honest
This remark, which was made aloud
for the benefit of all and sundry, pro-
Noked roar of laughter from Guy
Tabarie, which was promptly convert
ed into a groan as an indignant soldier
ON the hack VILLAIN c,,,sbt HIM IN, ON
the assertion
Since when, sir? Since last night Q"
Il do not understand your grace
When Jason Was farmer in Colchis
he sowe1 draoo,,e, tantt, ND moved
soldiers What do yon prow In ypur
garden, Sire de Montigny?'
Montigny gave a little start of sur
prise. but his answer came nronnt
"Cabbages.,'
Wilton shook his head "Arro,vs Mae
ter Rene. Burgundlan arrows. most
condemnlple Vegetables. Have u care.
Ills a pestiient cron and may noison The
gardener. Stand aside,
Rene de Montic,ny stared at his i'm
terlocutor ir a paroxysm of amaze
ment Here was his dearest secret
loose on the Inns of his .},estioner M
was the first ti,,a tl,o+ No l,ad ,,an-
tured boldly to gaze into the face of
authority and Nillon returned his gaze
defiantly But there was no recogni-
tion in Montigny's eyes. He could see
nothing in common between the splen-
did gentleman who now addressed him
and the ragged rhymester who shared
so many souaIid adventures with him.
and in an instant he reverted his head
respectfully.
If your grace viii deign., he plead
ed, stretching out his hands in en-
treaty, but Villon was iuesorable.
Stand aside" he reneated. and
Montigny protesting was dragged back
to his place with his fellows While VIII
Ion read the name of the next rogue on
the list. which happened to be that of
Guy Tabarie
BY this time yillon's spirit had en-
tered into very complete appreciation
of the huinors of tie situation. Hav-
Ing realized that HE identify was safe
even from the keen eyes of Rene do
Montigny. he felt assi1red that he
might defy the Indifferent scrutiny OF
his less alert comeanions. And though
he made use of tl,e long nendant fold
of his cap to conceal in some meas
ure his countenance. he was now SO
confident OF his safety that he WIS pre-
pared to greet each prisoner with COM
pos,lre.
Guy Tabarle cut a piteous figure as
he totterad across inc, grass 1,ldt.lv MO-
PEELED by the violence Of the solder who
escorted him tweakiny him nv
/ the ear, and fell. a GlIaking
mountain of flesh al the feet
of the man whom he believed TO be The
grand constab,o If 1rrs,ca W,i+b MI
eous gesticulations and trembling
| fingers, the red. gross man knelt and
ATTEMPTED to pload for mercy, WHOM
o,.a.i Ia, ,1.o...,,.. .,...I. !.