Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-01-08

What do you say?" she ragged, an6
then, seeing a woman's form Il few
feet away from her, she rushed towards
the stranger furiously While the Others
rose in eager expectation of some new
excitement.
What do you seek here?" she asked
fiercely of the old woman, and then, as
she saw the pitiful wrinkled face star
ing UP at her. she started back in sur
prise
The old woman, misinterpreting the
sex of her questioner from the dress
that Huguette wore, began apologetic-
ally.
Asking your pardon, young gentle
man." and for q moment her words
We're drowned in n shout of delighted
laughter, as the listening rogues APP
preciated the blunder she had made.
Asking your pardon, young gentle
man, l seek Master Francois Villon."
Huguette snapped at her impatient-
ly, Seek him and find him." Then
turning to Rene, she cried, "Montigny
you beast!" and with her hand on her
dagger, made hotly for him.
Mcntigny, grinnins like delighted
monkey, skipped for safety. lodging
her around the table, while the others
perceiving victim In the bewildered
old woman, Joined hands in ring and
began dancing wildly around her. sing
Ing a ribald song. The old woman, as
frightened and timid as a mouse might
be IL 1t suddenly found itself the center
of a circle OF dancing cats, stood still
At this moment the cellar door
opened, and Master Francois reap
peared, carrying In his arms large
jug of wine. Percelving that the land
lord still lay in his heavy sleep, he
smiled delightedly to himself. closed
the cellar door softly and placed his
booty In the corner of the fireplace
nearest to the settle. The noise of the
tumult attracted him from his success
full plumber, and looking up, he became
aware of what was happening. In a
second his contented mien changed
and dashing into the dancing crowd
he struck Jehan lie Loup heavy blow
with the bunch of keys, which felled
him to the ground like log In a
moment the cluster of rascals dissipat-
ed, and Nillon caught the old woman
In his arms.
!, Damn you. chubs!" he shouted at
them. It's my MOTHER" Then as he
drew the trembling old woman towards
the fireplace, he whispered In her ears
Don't be frightened nanny, they
meant no harm"
A certain hang dog air of contrltion
was on the faces of most of the mem
bers of the gang as they stood apart
and eyed the mother and son shame
facedly. Guy Tabarie, who had q
wholesome dislike to quarrels, slipped
quietly into the cool street to seek
pleasure In some place where the at
mosphere might be less stormy
n IN, Il II.
heavy sleep, clapped his hands In
stinctively to his girdle and found that
his keys We're missing
My keys. my keys!" he shouted
where are my keys?" And then
catching sight of them where they lay
by the PROSTATE form of Jehan lie Loup
he rushed forward and secured them
greedily.
BY this time Jehan lie Loup had re-
covered the senses which Villons
swinging blow had knocked out of him
and was crawling slowly into a sitting
posture. He glared ferociously at Mas
ter Francois and his evil right hand
stole to the pommel of his dagger.
You have cracked my crown, curse
you," he grunted, and then swiftly
sprang to his feet with the bare blade
in his hand and rushed at his assault
ant. But Villon was too alert to be
taken unawares. He had not time to
draw his sword, but in a second he
had snatched Il spit from the fire and
extending 1t scientifically kept Jehar
lie Loup at arms length. 1Iuguette
seized Jehan by the dagger arm.
She is his mother!" she said an
grily. You all had mothers, / sup
pose? Let him alone!"
jehan lie Loup unWilllngly sFeathed
his weapon; Huguette dragged him
back to the table; Nillon replaced the
spit, which had somewhat burned his
fingers, and sat down by his mothers
side ON the settle. in peace.
Ibid they brighten you, NANNY? y
he whispered. But they meant nc
harm. Boys and girls. girls and boys
The old woman put her arms tightly
about him. Villon grimaced. Her low
ing touch was as painful as a hostile
one to his bruised body, but he made
no attempt to repress her embrace.
Come home, Francois she said
Come home. Where have you beer
these three days."
Villon caressed the old woman Yer,
tenderly, as he answered.:
Very busy, nammy-state secrets
NUNS the word. How did you find me
out?"
They told me at the Unicorn" the
old woman said, that I might find yo,
here
"Oh, the Unicorn is no longer fash.
ionable. They want payment on tho
nail there, confound them! Besides
this is nearer the walls and we car
hear the Burgundians shouting. II i.
as good as Il relish with our Wine"
Mother Villon shook her grey heat
sadly.
Come away" he entreated. "Yol
have had wine enough"
Villon contradicted her instantly.
Never in my life, nanny. / have
a FOOLS head and always get into m,
attitudes too soon"
Then, seeing the look of disappoint
ment that made her grey old face lool
greyer still. he added. Il cannot com,
home just now, nanny, but there i:
something l can do for you. Do yo,
remember when l was a little child
Something in the words made hin
stop suddenly. The hideous contras
between the phrase and the plac,
wherein he was, between the mothe,
who fondled him and the wild men.
savages and women savages who wer,
his daily friends and who We're drink.
ing and dicing behind him at the othel
side of the settle, came upon him Xix,
q s CelI wave VI letlll tillQ hllOCkGQ TINT
mirth out of him. He turned ava,
from his mother and repeated to him
self dismally, God! when l was a lit
tie child!" The mothers pity, tn,
mothers protection Immediately as
serted themselves.
you We're the prettiest child woman
ever BORE" she said, softly.
Villon turned towards her again
while he tried to wink the tears out o
his eyes.
You used to sing me to Sleep" h,
said. and as he spoke he rocked he