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

IN ny fiassis Dickson
\
being set in long rows, and among
them were white images Of some SUBJ
stance like unto the holy mother at the
shrine in Montreal. Some OF these
craven stones were In semblance Of
men with horns and goats legs, and
some OF warrior women with plumed
helms upon their heads. Verify I mar
veled much at these strange sights.
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 /
left the hall, and after many vain en-
deayors made my way put into the
open air-betng right glad to breathe
again without q roof above my head.
was Ill at ease among all these gay
gallants who minced and paced along
like 10 many string-halted nags. It
was said the king walked much IN that
way, and so, ~forsooth, must all his lords
and ladies 90. Perhaps 1t was the
fashion OF h court. but I stuck to the
only gait / knew, a good. honest,
swinging stride which could cover If
teen leagues a day at a pinch.
On to one side the water kept leap
Ing up n the air as I am told the
spouting springs do in the Dacotah
country. I walked that way and was
soon lost in wonderment at the con-
temptation OF q 8 bronze basin filled
with curious brazen beasts, half men,
half fishes. the like OF which I had nver
seen. Some had horns from which
Il they ~ h1oHuE ono I'll 13ry otwno n fa 4%A.nc
astrtde OF strange sea monsters
plunged about and cast up Jets OF wa
ter. It all made SO much noise I
scarcely heard a voice behind me say:
I'll lay a golden Louis his coat is of
as queer q cut as his neither garment
whatever Its outiandish 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 lordly air.
Hey. friend, who is thy tailor?" and
behind me rang out h merry laugh at
such a famous jest.
/ turned and there being a party of
fine young ladies at my back full glad
" would I have retired, had not the
young braggart staggered to my front
again and persisted:
Friend. let us see the cut OF thy
coat.
" AtieH I lte 1oTeSt accustomed TO
the rough ways of a camp, and look
ing not for insult, are slow to anger,
SO 1 only asked as politely as might be,
because of the ladies:
And whereforeg
Because / say so, SIR" he replied.
most arrogantly and stamping his foot,
cast off thy cloak that we may See
l still stood undecided, scarce know
Ing what to think, and being ignorant
Of fashions at court. De Brienne-for
that was his demonstrating my hess
itation, advanced and laying his hand
Upon my cloak would have torn 1t of,
hadsI not brushed him aside SO vtgor-
ously he stumbled ana 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. I felt my own wrath rise at
sight OF cold steel-it was evr q way
LOT mine beyond control-and asked
him hotly:
How Is 1t affair of thine what man
ner Of coat i wear?'
He made no reply, but, raising his
arm. said. menacingly:
NOW clown. show thy coat or TIL
spit thee like q dog"
l glanced around the circle at the
blanched faces of the ladies, seeing
a serious turn to their lest. and
would not even then have drawn. but
the men made no effort to interfere, no
I only answered him, May, I'll wear
my cloak" when he made . quick
lunge at me. 1 know not that he meant
me serious injury, but taking no risk
my blade came readily. and catching
his ~slenderer weapon broke 1t short If,
leaving him. raging and defencelessE
g simple trick, yet not learned In day.
It was a dainty little Jewel hilted toy,
and / hated to spoil 1t.
Nov, sir thank the kings uniform
for thy life" my blood a up. and I
ached to teach him q lesson. II can not
turn the kings sword against one CT
his servants"
The ladies laughed now. and the hot
aush mounted to my cheeks, for I
feared a woman, but their mer1dment
quickly died away at the sound OF an
Dimperious voice saying:
For shame de Brienne, brawleri"
And thou. my young coxcomb Of Or
leans. he continued. addressing that
lead such a throng OF jewellers into the
kings own gardens? Il not your own
house of debauchery sufficient for your
grace? Have q care, young sir. I am
yet the king, and thou mayest never be
the regent"
The duke simulated his profound re-
sgret, but when Louis back al turned
made q most unprincely and most un-
courtly grtmace 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.
marvelled at this. for the name Of
Louis had been held in almost Gcdlike
reverence by US in the colonies. Mean
while he had turned to me.
Well said. young man; thou hast q
loyal tongue"
"And q loyal master, SIRE" for 1t
needed not the mention Of his name to
tell me I faced the king. That face.
stamped on his every golden name
sake, had been familiar to me since the
earliest days Of my childhood.
THY name. sir7"
Kingly still, though a little bent, for
heswas well past sixty, Louis stood
lin his $high-feeled shoes tapping the
ground impal. ntly with a long cane,
his flowing Goa. 1uttering In the wind.
For q period l completely lost my
tongue. could see nothing but
the blazing cross of the holy ghost.
the red order OF ST Louis. upon the
Monarch's breast, could hear nothing
but the grating Of his cane against the
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