The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-16


scrutiny on the part Of the unassum-
ing b~urgesses who sat apart and to
whom no one now gave heed.
"A fine evening, friend" Montigny
said afTably.
Pretty fine for the time of year" the
| soldier answered. How is your gar
den, friend?'
Montigny smiled whimsically.
Very saiuhrious. If it were not for
the shooting stars
Then as the soldier stared at him ne
FASTENED to explain.
My quip. The shooting { was a
~Burgundian arrow q cloth-yard long
which came wingiag its way over the
walls at noon and made itself at home
in my garden. Here is what the arrow
carried"
He pulled from his pouch a small
piece OF parchment folded and sealed,
and handed it TO the seeming soldier,
The disguised constable took the mis-
sive and came it narrowly.
The seal has not been
with" he said t. himself. Rene caught
him up with a noble gesture OF indig-
nation.
u never read other peoples letters
he protested.
Thihaut shrugged his shoulders.
1t would have profited you little IL
you had he said. as he broke the seal
and turning aside stopped a little to
read by h faint fire light what the
letter said. 1t was couched in words
that seemed commonplace enough. but
Thihaut knew their secret meaning.
knew that the duke of Burgundy would
do all h he asked, give him a duchy,
give him the girl he coveted, all that
he might ask for or lust for Il he would
Hrf.- r1o-- -An %-,s.-- -. -
into the duke OF Burgundy's hands.
AS this was precisely what Thu
baut was resolved to do. a pleased
smile played over his lips as he tossed
the parchment into the glowing ashes
and watched it wither into nothingness.
He turned to Montigny, who was
watching him attsntively.
can you command some safe refugees
of your kidney who think better of Bur
sundian sold than Of the fool on the
thronee"
Montigny answered him behind his
hand. Aye, I know OF half a dozen
stout lads who would pilfer the king
from his palace OF the Louvre If they
were paid Well enough for the job" and
he jeCked his thumb over his shoulder
IN the direction OF his caroUssug com
rades- Thibaut nodded approval. He
thrust some gold into Montigny's ready
palm. whispered to him TO meet hin,
again tomorrow, and as Mondsny re
his friends he turned 10 leave
the tavern.
To his surprise he found himself con-
by Vfllon, who feignins ntoxt-
alton barred his passage with an air
OF great hiiarity. You walk abroad
late, honest soldier" he hiccoughed.
That's my business Thibaut ans
wered, trying to pass, but yillon still
delayed him.
I've had enough. and you've had
more than enough" Thihaut growlea.
Go to bed,"
VsIlon's false good humor changed in
a clap.
You're q damned unc.vn fellow. SOL
der, n don't know how to treat q !
gentleman when you see one"
Thieaut began to lose patience.
Get cut OF h way," he said, and
gave Nillon s little push with his open !
that made him stagger. Vtllor's !
voice rose to 8 yell |
= viii not get out OF the way. How .
do I know you are an honest SOLDIER !
How 90 I know that you are g true |
As viIlon's voice rose the alteration |
attracted the attention of the jewellers. J
Aontgny glded to vtllon's side and
whispered him.
Let him alone, Francois: he's no.
he seems"
seems Who cares what he seersr"
NLion shouted. It's what he Is I want
% know. Perhaps he's not an honest
soldier at all. Perhaps he's a damned
spy"
Thibaut lifted his hand to crush VII
but he poets naked Sszges
nenaced him and he paused
Fling this drunken dog into tbs
he commanded angrily. VIZ
on,s friends snapped at him ~SuriousIy
silon flung back the phrase.
Drunken dog. indeed. You sre a
wing. W-favored knave! Keep the door,
this rogue has insulted me
4UcS out your iron, soldierII"
In g moment the whole pack wev
between Thihaut and the door, every
woman e fury. every man a fighter
very man with the exception Of Rene
,e AonGgny. who, dsxtsrously Olsen
angling himself from the mass of his
companions. made for the side door and
u Of 1t ulhee6ed in the con-
.usion- It was his intention TO alarm
ne watch and intervene for the prorec-
o. his powerful patron, and with
his purpose In his mind he disappeared
INTO the darkness Of the street and ran
IS fast as his legs could carry him
In the meantime the quarrel at the
71-coas ragged hotter. Thihact sgs--
ns at his enemies as s bull might
at barking dogs, asked sawc-
= Of the poet who was braadsshsns his
sword:
CONTINUED Next wesk)