The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-11-25
LUNACY

AO N ~ AO IN 0O Il
Fanny Parr was pretty, blue eyed
girl, with long, fair hair, and a figure
like sylph. Her eyes had the pret-
test look of appeal in the world, and
she had way, unconscious to herself,
Of drawing up beside the one she was
addressing, as if she were alive with
tenderness and sought protection. She
was confiding like a child, and her
thoughts as pure, Every one loved
Fanny, nor thought Of asking why, for
the very atmosphere about her was
that of love. She had many lovers,
but herself simple and true hearted,
loved only one. l doubt if she ever
dreamed that a weman's heart could
change. She read of such things, in
deed, but then she always regarded
them as the fancies of the poets, and
she had thousand of her own, SO she
never could believe them real. She
had q world of illusions, beautiful,
trustful and pure, and that became the
real to her.
When her lover first went away,
Fanny amused herself in feeding the
birds he had given her and tending
the flowers that grew most beautifully
under her care. Quiet and secluded,
she had little to occupy her attention.
and the songs she sang, the books she
read, the walks she took, all indicated
the presence of her lover to her mind s
eye. He would be homo in six months
and then he would make her his wife.
Time is always laggard to divided
lovers. A thousand methods are de-
vised to kill him, yet he stays by with
never cease. Six months passed away.
and Fanny was buoyant with the hope
of the return of her lover. Day after
day she sat in expectation, and yet he
came not. She had ceased to hear
from him, but she did not heed that
for surely he will soon be here, she
thought, and all will be explained. A
month more passed, aud yet he came
not. No tidings reached her, and the
hope that had hitherto consoled her
began to fade from her heart. Her
cheeks grew pale, and listlessness
crept upon her, making exertion OF
any kind painful. Herlfriends resort
ed to many expedients to rouse her
but in vain. They tried to excite her
woman's pride by tales of his deser-
ton and falsehood ; but she shook her
head mournfully, and the large tears
gathered in her eyes, Gle is i'll, he is
dying" she would articulate, ''or the
ocean has become his grave"
A year passed in this way, and Fan
ny was wasted to shadow. One day
she was seated in the verandah with
her hands folded in her lap, when a
mendicant came to ask aims. The wo.
man regarded her fora moment in si
lencc, and then respectfully took hel
hand and read the lines upon the palm
Fanny was instantly all attention
But the woman was silent, and turned
away. .ii .7-- De-.
"Tell me ifhe is alive, cried Fam,
earnestly. atH-H
"You will never be his wife," re
piled the woman. 's it.f
"He is dead he is dead ~ shrieket
the poor girl, and fell to the earth.
When Fanny recovered she fount
the beggar looking sorrewfully int
her face, while her friends were bath
ing her temples. She bcckoned he
forward. -t E-si
ais there no way, good woman, b.
which you can tell me his fate?"
The woman shook her head. onl.
saving, "Lovers are often falseW
"No! no! not false! Henry coul'
meyer be false; besides, who could b
false to a love like mine?'
The woman took pack of card
from her pocket, and sat down at tn
feet of the poor girl and began t
shuttle them over.
"Now wish," she said, "and cut tn
cards three times, all the time wit
the same wish"
Fanny did as she was directed, re
peating her wish aloud. 'I wis
Henry will soon be here" three time
over, and laying the cards on the ses
beside her.
The woman then locked them owe
and put them by.
"Tell me what it is. Shall have m
wish ?" cried the half. bewildered gir
"Leave the future with the Almigl
ty. lady. No good can come of this
"Tell me all. 1 can bear anythin
now )" and she burst into tears.
s'Thus adjured," the woman said
low voice, "There Is sickness an
death to your lover"
"Iknew he wasn't FALSE" cried Fal
| ny, bursting into hysterical laug
81 knew he wasn't false" as if ev'
death were preferable to falsehood.
The woman arose to 60, but Fam
recovered herself and grasped her arl
81 am dying; do you not see an
teach nae your art. that l may kno
the worst that is to befall me-"
The woman looked pityingly in h
face, aud kissed her thin hand, VIII