Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-03-12

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well, let tomorrow tell tomorrow's
story. Tonight feel like happy child
In world of make-believe. Tonight
we are immortal, you and l, wandering
forever in this green garden under
those Indifferent stars, breathing this
rose-scented air. spelling the secret of
the world"
morrow" she whispered, but Villon
would not have 1t SO.
"Alas, no! Tomorrow I shall be
mortally sober; tonight l am divinely
drunk-drunk with star wine. flower
wine, song wine. The stars burn my
brain; the roses pierce my flesh; the
songs trouble my soul. Tonight. If
dared would ease my heart"
The girl spoke so family that only a
lovers ears could hear the words:
You may say what you please to-
night"
Villon caught at his heart as if to
keep 1t In the compass OF his breast.
If / We're to die tomorrow, / would
tell you this tonight: / love you. These
are easy words to say, yet my heart
is as full and musical as the bell of
doom. Men are such fools that they
have but one name for a thousand
meanings, and beggar the poor love-
word to base kitchen usages and work.
a-day desires. But 1 would keep ii
holy for the flame which 1T sometimes
pleases heaven to light In one heart for
the worship of another. / never knew
what love was until saw a girls face
on May morning and wisdom stripped
the rind from my naked heart. The
God in me leaped into being to greet
the God in your eyes. / love you. This
is what would say If / We're to die
tomorrow"
He was very close to her now, and
his eyes were looking into her eyes
She answered him frankly:
If you were to die tomorrow, might
tell you this much tonight A woman
| may love a man because he is brave,
or because he is comely, or because
he is wise, or gentle--for thousand
thousand reasons. But the best of all
reasons for q woman loving a man is
just because she loves him, without
rhyme and without reason, because
1t, because his hand Is of the right size
to hold her heart in Its hollow"
The lovers hands We're closely
clasped. the lovers lips were very near
to meeting. Only the god Pan smiled
and sneered as if he knew that some-
times lovers lips fail to meet even
when the space between fervent mouth
and mouth is no bigger than roseleaf.
Katherine" Villon whispered, and
drew her closer to him. Love, happi-
| ness, life were coming to his arms as
| to q shrine.
In the sudden bliss that had come
upon both the lovers they paid no heed
to footstep upon the terrace, till q
voice struck like a sword-stroke across
| their ecstasy the voice of Noel lie
Jolys.
Where are the lovers Of yesterdays"
| Noel said mockingly as he slowly de-
seconded the steps to join them.
| There was q red rage in Villon's
heart, but he bridled 1T as he turned
upon the interloper contemptuously.
Your pink and white lady-brd," he
said to Katherine, and then waving his
hand at Noel with a gesture of disdain
sna L aaidaypt ssa chanted at him:
home" 80 y
Noel's pink face flushed a POPPY re,
and his white hand went to his swor,
hllt There was courage in the foppisl
substance, and he would clearly hay
reJolced TO try his chance In a passage
at-arms.
My lord" he said, II will neasur
word and sword with you at any sea
son, but now l seek promised speec]
with this lady"
Villon laughed at his menace.
While | have better business il
hand, you shall know only the smooth
OF my tongue and the fiat of my fail
chion. Compass your swelling hear
lest you play the lion before lady"
The two men eyed each other lils
angry dogs, eager to spring at eacl
others throats. Katherine dropped he
restraining hand on Villon's arm.
My lord" she answered "he ha
importuned me for audience. l viii
speak with you again ere you ride"
Villon turned to her
I'VE ride at nine, remember, he sal,
in a low voice; and then in a loude
tone, looking at Noel, he added mock
ingly, TIL then shall busy mysel
IN writing my last will and testament
and bequeathing a thousand nothing
70 a thousand nobodles to puzzle poster
tty. You shall taste of my bounty
Messire Noel" and he began 20 i'm
provise derisively:
ITO Messire Noel, named the neat
BY those who love him, bequeath
a helmless ship, u houseless street,
a world'ess book, a swordless sheath,
An houriess clock, n leaf]ess wreath.
A bed sans Sheet q board sans meat,
bell sans tongue. q saw sans teeth,
70 make his nothingness complete"
Noel shrugged his shoulders an,
turned his back. He was very irate