The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-05

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M ny Masrls Diclssn
being set In long rows, and among
them were white images OF some sub
stance like unto the holy mother at the
shrine In Montreal. Some Of these
craven stones were in eemblance Of
men with horns and goats legs. and
helms upon their heads. Verify I mar
veled much at these strange slightly.
The pert little lads who idled about
the hall began to make sport OF me
concerning my dress, and laughed
greatly at their own wit. I paid no
heed to their foolish gibes. there being
no man among them. It irked me more
than good sense would admit, and I
left the hall, and after many vain en-
deaNors made my way out into the
open air-beins right glad to breathe
again without a roof above my head.
I was Ill at ease among all these gay
gallants who minced and, paced along
like 80 many string halted nags. It
! was said the king walked much In that
way. and 80. forsooth. must all his lords
and ladies go Perhaps 1t was the
fashion OF the court, but I stuck to the
only gait I knew. q good. honest
swinging stride which could If
teen leagues a day at q pinch.
Off to ons side the water keps leap
ing up into the air as I am told the
spouting springs do In the Dacotah
country. I walked that way and was
q lost In wonderment at the con-
temptation of q vast bronze basin filed
with curious brazen beasts, half men,
half fishes. the like Of which I had nver
seen. Some had horns from which
they blew sparkling streams. others
astride OF strange sea monsters
plunged about and cast up Jets of We
ter. It all made SO much noise L
scarcely heard a voice behind me say:
"Tll lay a golden Louis his coat is OF
ias queer q cut as his neither garment
whatever its toutlandish name may be-
Done" said another voice.
I gave no heed. thinking they meant
not me, until a dapper little chap, all
plumed and belaced, stepped In front
of me with a most 1ordly air.
Hey, friend. who is thy ~tailor?" and
behind me rang out the merry laugh at
such a famous jest.
i turned n there being a party of
fine young ladies at my back full glad
" would / have retired, had not the
young braggart staggered to my front
again and persisted:
Friend. let US see the cut Of thy
coat"
We men of the forest accustomed to
the rough ways of d camp, and look
ing not for insult, are slow to anger,
SO ] only asked as politely as might be,
because OF the ladies:
And wherefore?"
Because / say so. SIR" he replied,
most arrogantly and stamping his foot,
cast OFF thy cloak that we may see.''
! still stood undecided. scarce know
ing What to think. and being ignorant
OF fashions at court. De Bnenne-for
that was his demonstrating my hes
itatlon, advanced and laying his hand
upon my cloak would have torn It Of,
had I not brushed him aside 80 yiRor-
sously he stumbled and fell to the
ground.
I had no thought Of using strength
sufficient to throw him down. He
sprang up instantly, and. furious, drew
his sword. ! felt my w wrath rise at.
sight of cold steel-it was evr q way
of mine beyond control-and asked
= y AAOSlys FGft SENeEal EFHHtH-l
"How 10 1t affair Of thine what man
ner of coat ! wearY"
He made no reply, but, raising his
arm. said. menacingly:
Nov, clown, show thy coat, or TIL
spit thee like q dog"
I glanced around the circle at the
blanched faces Of the ladies, seeing
such q serious turn to their Jest, and
would not even then have drawn, but
the men made no effort to interfere, 40
I only answered him, Nay. TIL wear
my cloak" when he made quick
|lunge at me. know not that he meant
me serious injury. but taking no risk
my blade came readily. and catching
his slenderer weapon broke 1t short OF,
g simple trick. yet not learned In a day.
Il was q dainty little jewel hilted toy,
and I hated to spoil 1t.
Nov, sir. thank the kings uniform
for thy life" my blood was UP. and I
ached to teach him a lesson, IT can not
turn the kings sword against one CT,
his servants"
The ladies laughed now, and the hot
flush mounted to my cheeks. for I
feared q woman, but their merriment
quickly died away at the sound Of an
|.tmperious voice saying:
For shame de Brienne, brawlerl"
and thou. my young coxcomb Of Or
S0AA 81 A0 3OOAASAA4NC0p d0OIO66luk 4kuAt
dissolute princes How dare you, sir,
leadssuch q throng OF jewellers into the
kings own gardens? Ii not your own
house OF debauchery suficient for YOU
grace? Have q care. young sir. I am
yet the king, and thou mayest never be
the regent"
The duke simulated his profound re-
egret blu when Louis back was turned
made a most unprincely and most un-
courtly grimace at his royal uncle,
which set them all a-laughing. Where
at all these noble lords and ladies made
great pretense of gravity. and ostenta-
tiously held their handkerchiefs before
their mouths to hide their mirth.
Already these satellites began to de-
sert the sinking to attach their for
tunes To those OF the rising sun. I
m~arvelled at this. for the name Of
Louis had been held In almost Godltke
reverence by IS in the colonies. Mean
while he3had turned to me.
We'll said. young man; thou hast q
loyal tongue"
.And q loyal master. SIRE" for 1t
needed not the mention Of his name to
itell me ! faced the king. That face,
stamped On his every golden nance
sake, had been familiar to me since the
earliest days OF my childhood.
Thy name. Sir !"