The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-02-17

M ONolEOTl bAI LID r. S1nlleO Dis ue
lVl stood at the door of his booth,
for the booth was packed. Still, there
was room for one or two more, in par
ticular for the handsomely dressed
gentleman who was at that moment
standing gloomily outside.
M. le DUO is not yet too late," said
Baptistc. The farce will begin in
five minutes" M. lie Marquis (for
Baptiste was not far out in his guess)
looked at the manager with sullen
scowl. IN. lie DUO looks sad. He is
III trouble. A good laugh now"
Raptis,e had gone too far M. le
Marquis slowly drew on his right
hand glove, and cuffed Baptiste upon
his jolly red face. Baptiste bowed.
One could not--in the year 1600-be
manager Of troupe Of farce players
for nothing, and the striker was OBJ
viously little intoxicated. He re-
turned to the charge. "See!" he said,
holding up mis- wooden bowl that was
Drumming over with coins, "a gold
piece-only one-laid just there
M. lie Marquis raised his elbow
sharply, and Baptiste, a Danae for a
moment, fell upon his back amid
shower of coins that rolled from his
portly I'erson to all quarters of the
compass. NJ. lie Marquis stepped over
his body and pushed his way up the
crowded booth, across the stage, and
into the tyring-room behind. In those
days (they were not over nice in those
days. actors and actresses dressed to-
gether; ana NJ lie Marquis, still
scowlinS, found himself in the midst
OF ten or dozen men and women in
various stages of undress. with a
sprinl1ins Of sallanls in attendance.
There was a sudden hush. The gall
lants drew themselves up awkwardly,
the women looked round to see who
had come in. And then, observing
how extremely handsome a person this
was, they broke into voluble chatter
end lavish display Of their charms.
Md NJ lie Marquis stood scowiIg at
them all.
There was some excuse for him. A
week ago he had been rich and power
full. now he was poor and in disgrace.
There were no servants in his great
house. no horses IN his stables. 1t is
not always good to be handsome, so
handsome as to captivate the kings
mistress. especially when that king is
Henri ~. Of France.
At that moment III. !e Marquis had
good reason 10 hate all alluring wo-
men. lie scowled at them. And tn
whether it were the wine, or the de-
sire to spite these ready beaut;es-he
swiftly crossed the room to where a
girl stool leaning against the wall.
No actress, no celer, she. Dressed in
simple black She stood with her eyes
on the ground. and her head bowed
little forward under mass Of golden
hair. NJ. lc Marquis. with some osten-
tation, caught her by the sh oulders.
She looked IN af1ame. and her beauty
all but gave him pause. Then. with q
vicious laugh. he caught her close and
kissed her She struggled and his kiss
fell on her ear. He gripped her like
a vice and kissed her three times on
the mouth.
There was roar Of rage behind him.
NJ. lie Marquis loosed the girl and
turned swiftly. He knew the sound
of that roar. and as he turned he drew
his sword. In front of him, in surg
ing crowd, with threatening arms and
cursing tongues. were Nj. Baptiste's
troupe Of farce players.
NJ lie Marquis point touched one of
the men very delicately upon the
knee. Dance. mountebank!" said he.
Another flash, and there was q spot of
blood upon a woman's throat Sing
cat!" said NJ. lie Marquis.
"For Gods sake, Charles!" cried one
of the gallants, save yourself! They
have played before the king, and
you-''
80 dear FRIEND" said NJ lie Marquis,
flicklng lis sword daintily to and fro
within an inch of the raging players,
IAN, as you say, in disgrace. while
these-things-are in favor. Still,
am not yet butcher, so-make way
scum, for your better!" And with that
he passed carelessly through the midst
Of them At the door be turned and