The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-04-24

Ous4ASSS was ONSA Al IWV IWOSs NY
God" said Tabary. and he began to
pray in Latin.
Villon broke out into hysterical
laughter. He came a step forward
and ducked a ridiculous bow at Theve-
min and laughed still louder. Then he
sat down suddenly all Of a heap upon
a stool and continued laughing bitterly
as though he would shake himself to
pieces.
Montigny recovered his composure
first.
Lets see what he has about him"
he remarked, and he picked the dead
mans pockets with a practiced hand
and divided the money into four equal
portions on the table. "There's for
you," he said.
The monk received his share with a
deep sigh, and single stealthy- glance
at the dead Thevenin, who was begin
ming to sink into himself and topple
sideways Off the chair.
Were all in for it." cried villon,
swallowing his mirth. cts hanging
job for every man Jack of us that's
here-not to speak Of those who aren't"
Then he pocketed his share of the spoil
and executed a shuttle with his feet as
If to restore the circulation.
Tabary was the last to help himself.
He made dash at the money and re-
tired to the other end of the room.
Montigny stuck Thevenin upright in
the chair and drew out the dagger,
which was followed by jet Of blood.
"You fellows had better be moving"
he said as he wiped the blade on his
victims doublet.
II think we had," returned villon.
with gulp. % his fat head!' he
broke out 1T sticks in my throat like
phlegm. What right has man to
have red hair when he is deadT And
he fell all Of a heap again upon the
stool and fairly covered his face with
his hands.
Mondgny and Dom Nicolas laughed
aloud. even Tabary feebly Ginning in.
"Cry baby!" said the monk.
II always said he was a woman
added Montigny with sneer. "Sit up.
can't you?" he went on, giving another
shake to the murdered body. TREAD
out that fire, Nick!
But Nick was better employed. He
was quietly taking villon's purse as
the poet sat limp and trembling on the
stool where he had been making a bal
lad not three minutes before. Montig-
ny and Tabary dumbly demanded a
share Of the booty. which the monk
silently promised as he passed the lit
tie bag into the bosom Of his gown.
In many ways an artistic nature units
man for practical existence.
No sooner had the theft been accom-
plished than Villon shook himself,
jumped to his feet and began helping
to scatter and extinguish the embers.
Meanwhile Montigny opened the door
and cautiously peered into the street
The coast was clear. There was no
meddlesome patrol In sight. Still 1t
was judged wiser to slip out severally,
and Villon was the first by general con-
sent to issue forth.
The wind had triumphed aud swept
all the clouds from heaven. Only a
few vapors as thin as moonlight feet
ed rapidly across the stars. 1t was
bitter cold. and by common optica!
effect, things seemed almost more def.
mite than in the broadcast daylight. Vii.
Ion cursed bis fortune. Would 1t were
still showing: Now. wherever he
went be left an indelible trail.
Two things preoccupied him as be
went, the aspect Of the gallows at
Montfaucon In this bright. windy
phase Of the nights existence, for one.
and for another, the look of the dead
man with his bald head and garland OF
red curls. Both struck cold upon his
heart, and he kept quickening his pace
as If he could escape from unpleasant
thoughts by mere heetness Of foot.
Suddenly he saw long way before
him black clump and a couple Of Ian
terms. The clump was in motion, and
the lanterns swung as though carried
by men walking. 1t was a patrol
Just on his left hand there stood q
great hotel. with some turrets and
large porch before the door. 1t was
dark inside after the glimmer Of the
snowy streets. and he was cropping for.
ward with outspread hands when be
stumbled over some substance which
offered an indescribable mixture Of re-
hard and soft, firm and
loose. His heart gave leap, and he
sprang two steps back and stared
at the obstacle. Then he
gave little laugh Of relief. 1t was only
a woman, and she dead. He knelt be-
side her to make sure upon this latter
point. She was freezing cold and rigid
like stick. A little ragged 6nery
huttered in the wind about her hair.
and her cheeks had been heavily
rouged that same afternoon. Her pock-
cts were quite empty, but in her stock.
ing underneath the garter Villon found
two Of the small coins that went by the
name Of whites. 1t was little enough.
but 1t was always something. and the
poet was moved with deep sense Of
pathos that she should have died be-
fore she had spent her money.
While these thoughts were passing
through his mind he was feeling half
nechAnica11 for his purse. snddenIr