Oxford Democrat., 1914-08-11
white beard. boldly and squarely trim

white beard. boldly and squhrely trlm-
med.
"You knock late. sir" said the old
man In resonant courteous tones.
villon cringed and brought up many
servile words Of apology. At crisis
Of this sort the beggar was uppermOst
In him. and the man Of genius hid his
head with confusion.
"You are cold" repeated the old
man. "and hungry? Well. step In"
And he ordered him into the house
with noble enough gesture.
"Some great seigneur." thought Villon.
as his host. setting down the lamp on
the tagged pavement Of the entry. shot
the bolts once more into their places.
"You will pardon me II 60 in front"
he said when this was done, and he
preceded the poet upstairs into large
apartment. warmed with pan Of
charcoal and lit by great lamp hang
ing from the roof. 1t was very bare
Of furniture: only some gold plate on
q sideboard. some folios and stand
Of armor between the windows. Some
smart tapestry hung upon the walls
representing the cruci6xion Of our
Lord In one piece and In another q
scene Of shepherds and shepherdesses
by q running stream. Over the chin.
ney was shield Of arms.
"Will you seat yourself" said the old
man. land forgive me II leave you?
am alone in my house tonight. and
II you are to eat must forage for
you myself"
No sooner was his host gone than
villOn leaped from the chair Oh which
he had Just seated himself and began
examining the room with the stealth
and passion of cat Then he stood
In the middle Of the room. drew II long
breath. and. retaining II with puffed
cheeks, looked round and round him.
turning on his heels. as II to impress
every feature Of the apartment on bis
memory.
Seven pieces of plate" he said. IF
there had been ten | would have rsked
1t. A fine house and fine old master.
so help me all the saints"
And just then. hearing the old mans
tread returning along the corridor. he
stole back to his chair and began hum
bly, toasting his wet legs before the
charcoal pan.
His entertainer had plate Of meat
in one hand and jug Of wine In the
other. He set down the plate upon
the table. motioning Villon to draw In
his chair and going to the sideboard.
brought back two goblets. which be
filed.
~ drink your better fortune" he said
gravely. touching Villon's cup with his
own.
ITO our better acquaintance" said
the poet, growing bold. A mere man
Of the people would have been awed
by the courtesy Of the old signor. but
villon was hardened in that matter;
he had made mirth for great lords be-
fore now and found them rs black ras-
Gals rs himself And so he devoted
himself to the viands with n ravenous
gusto. while the old man. leaning back
ward. watched him with steady. curl
GUS eyes.
"You have blood on your shoulder,
my man." he said.
Montigny must have laid his wet
right hand upon him as he left the
house. He cursed Montigny In his
heart.
1T was none of my shedding" he
stammered.
"I had not supposed so," returned
his host quietly. a brawl:"
"Well, something Of that sort" VII
Ion admitted with quaver.
"Perhnlrs IL fellow murdered?"
"Oh. 10. not murdered" said the
poet. more and more confused. 1T
was all fair play-murdered by accl-
dent. had no hand IN it. God strike
me dead" he added fervently.
"One rogue the fewer. ] dare say
observed the master Of the house.
"You NAV dare to say that" agreed
Villon. infinitely relieved. "As big n
rogue us there Is between here ana
Jerusalem. He turned up his toes like
lamb. But II was nasty thing to
look ut. dare say you've seen dead
men In your time. my lordT he added
oiopcinv ut thr urfnOr
MANY" said the old man. 81 have
followed the wars. as you imagine
Have you any money"
"I have one white" returned the
poet, laughing. II got 1t out Of dead
1ade's stocking In a porch. She was
as dead as Caesar. poor wench, and as
cold as q church, with bits OF ribbon
sticking in her hair. This Is hard
world in winter for wolves and wench'
es and poor rogues like me-"
a." said the old man, lam Enguer'
rand de la Feuillee. signor de Brise.
tout, bailie du Patatrac. Who and
what may you be?"
Villon rose and made Il suitable rev
erence. ~ am called Francis Villon.
he said, "a poor master Of arts OF this
university. know some Latin ana Il
deal of vice. can make chansoiS
ballads. lais. virelais and roundels, anu
I am very fond Of wine. was born
in a garret. and shall not improbably
die upon the gallows. ! mny add. my
lord. that from this night forward
am your lordshlp's very obsequious
servant to command"
mo servant Of mine." said the
knight. "My guest for this evening
and no more"
"a very grateful guest" said Villol
politely. and he drank in dumb sho"
| to his entertainer.
"You are shrewd." began the ole
man. tapping his forehead. very
shrewd. You have learning. You arr
a clerk, and yet you take small piece
of money Off dead woman In th'
street. Is It nH II kind Of theft!
ut Is Il kind Of theft much practice'
In the wars. my lord"
"The wars are the field of honor re
turned the old man proudly. There
a man plays his life upon the cast liz
fights in the name Of his lord the king
his Lord God. and all their lordship'
the holy saints and angels"
put It." said villon. that ! were
really a thief. should not play m!