The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20

@1HE house In question looked
dark Mt first sight, but as vilon
made Il preliminary inspection
- in search of the handiest point
of attack Il little twinkle of light
canght his eye from behind "a curtained
window
1.-THE deyil."' he thought People
awake. Some student or some saint.
confound the crew. Can't they get
drunk and lie in bed snoring like their
neighbors? What's the good of cur
few and poor devils of bell ringers
jumping at a ropes end in bell towers?
What's the use of day if people sit up
all night? The gripes to Them" He
grinned rs he saw where his logic was
leading him. Every man to his bust
ness after all added he. land If
they're awake. by the Lord. | may
come by supper honestly for ONCE
and cheat the devil"
He went boldly to the door and
knocked The sound of his blows
echoed through the house with thin
phantasmal reverberationS. as though
it were quite empty. but these had
scarcely died away before measured
tread drew near. IL couple of bolts
opened broadly. as though no guile or
fear of guile were known to those
within. tall figure of Il man muscu-
lar and spare. but little bent, con-
fronted Vilion. The head was massive.
but finely sculptured; the nose blunt
at the bottom. but refining upward to
where it Joined pair of strong and
honest eyebrows: the mouth and eyes
surrounded with delicate markings,
and the whole face based upon a thick
white beard. boldly and squarely trim
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. land hungry? Well. step in"
And he ordered him into the house
with a 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 if go 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 fOIioS and a stand
of armor between the windows. Some
smart tapestry hung upon the walls
the cruci6xion of our
Lord in one piece and in another a
scene of shepherds and shepherdesses
by a running stream. Over the chin
ney was shield of arms.
Twill you seat yourself" said the old
man. land forgive me If l leave you?
l am alone in my house tonight. and
IL you are to eat 1 must forage for
you myself"
No sooner was his host gone than
villon. Ieaped from the chair on 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 a long
breath. and. retaining it with pulled
cheeks. looked round and round him.
turning on bis heels as II to impress
every feature of the apartment on his
memory.
Seven pieces of plate he said. If
there had been ten would have risked
it. 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 a 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 he |
filed.
IL drink your better fortune" he said |
gravely. touching yillon's cup with his |
own.
ITO our better acquaintance" said |
the poet. growing bold mere man |
OF the people would have been awed /
by the courtesy of the old signor. but /