The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-30

region OF dreamshew was the kings maidi
and the kings friend. At least it could,
w no harm to assume such friendship
Mheh ms solemn companion seemed to
take 1T for granted.
Always delighted to see dear Louis.
lie and 1 are very good friends. Peo-
I PIE say hard things Of him, but believe
me, they don't know him"
he was trying his best to piece to-
setner the disordered fragments of his
memory and to explain to himself how
II came to pass that he was dizzy and
neavy and he felt like a man in a dark
room who was cropping to find the door
handle. The voice Of the barber inter-
rupted these, mental struggles.
May we take our leave, monseig-
neur?"
Villon's face lighted. He felt that it
would be pleasanter for him to be alone
Whiie he was attempting to regain con-
troll OF his faculties, more especially as
ne noted that the pages had placed
their golden cups and f1agons on the
marble table and hat his instinct as
sured him that these precious vessels
sheltered no less precious wine.
You may, you may" he assented,
n then as the barber made to depart.
Villon's mood changed and he caught
MIN by the sleeve and drew him con-
hdently toward him.
,-0oy oAe LuoIleut, ne murmureu.
You know this plaguy memory OF
mine-what a forgetful fellow I am.
Would you mind telling me again who
I happen to beg"
No look of surprise stirred the bar.
per's face; there came no change in his
extreme complaisance.
You are the count Of Montcrobier,
monseigneur," he answered, gravely.
You have just arrived in Paris from
Inc C011rt Nf prnv3naa 1r,Nnrn VrN,,NcfoN1
In high favor with the king of that
country, but your favor is, I believe,
greater with the king Of France, for he
mas been pleased to make you grand
constable. It is his majesty's wish that
you contrive to remember this
Villon laughed a laugh which he tried
hard to make hearty and natural, but
With indifferent success.
"Of course. it was most foolish OF me
to forget. Now, I suppose, good master
Long-toes, that a person in my exalted,
rank has a good deal of power, infu-
ence, authority, and what not?"
with the kings favor, you are the
first man in the realm"
Quite SO. And does my exalted po-
sltlon carry With it n agreeable per-
Quls1te in the way of pocket money!"
IF you will dip your finger in your
pouch Oliver suggested, pointing a
thin ~forefinger at Villon's jewelled
belt.
ViIlon thrust his fingers into the
pocket that hung from it and brought
them out again loaded with great gol-
den coins, bright and clear from the
mint, that cleaned %joyously in the sun
light. He gave a little cry of delight
as he let them run in a shining stream
from followed hand to followed hand,
and contemplated their Jingle and gilt
ter with the delight Of a new Midas.
But the first thought that welled up in
his heart to welcome this strange
wealth was bravely unself1sh.
Gold counters, on my honor. Dear
drops from the divine stream of Pacto-
lus. Good sir, will you straightway
dispatch some one you can trust with
a handful of these broad pieces to the
Church of the Celestins and inquire
of the beadle there for the dwelling OF
Mother Vtllon, a poor old woman, sorely
plagued with a scapegrace son? Let
him seek her out-she dWells in the
seventh story and therefore the nearer
10 the heaven she deserves-and give
her these coins hat she buy herself
food, clothes and firing"
He was too confused to reason clear
ly with his situation, but he felt sure
that whoever he was and whatever he
was in this amazing dream of his, the
poor old woman whom he loved so we'll
I1uSl lleeuS De III IL ana m1SnG Dene0t
by this gift of fairy gold.
Olivier bowed deferentia1ly.
ut shall be DONE" he said, trans
ferring he great gold discs to his W
pocket. Then pointing to a small gol-
den bell which one of the pages had
placed upon the table, he added, "If
there be anything YOU dignity should
desire, he has only to strike upon this
bell"
You are very good" villon respond
ed solemnly. n on the phrase Olivier
and the pages withdrew into the palace
with every sign of the most profound
respect. The king at his peep-hole was
pleased to observe nat his commands
were being obeyed most strictly
n that no lint of any secret n1irth, no
obvious consciousness OF a hidden joke
marred for n moment the monument
tai gravity Of the parts which Olivier
n the pages had to play.
CONTINUED Next Week.