The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-08-11
FANCHETTE.

A slip of a girl with slim, young
shoulders, childish form and shy, rosy
face half avoiding, half inviting the gaze
this was Fanchette.
Fanchette Hugot they called her in
the village, where old Mother Hugot
was well known. But Fanchette shook
her head. She was no kith and kin Of
Nine. Hugot, that she knew, and jacques
knew 1t also-Jacques, with his bonny
brown head and bright, bold face and
gray attire, which marked him of the
better class; Jacques, who loved her
better than she loved the turkeys which
she tended, and swore that every dark
hair of her head under the red turban
was precious to him.
Jacques father called her the little
turkey tender and threw her a coin
from his carriage as he passed. But
Fanchette treasured the coins and made
herself more beautiful in her lovers eyes
with her fnery-rihbons that matched
the blue of her eyes and roses that rivaled
the cafmine of her dewy lips.
When Jacques took her in his arms
and told her that he loved her and let
the light of his beautiful eyes shine in
hers, she forgot the whole world just for
that one moment. She forgot to wonder
that God should let his creatures suffer
SO; that he should distribute blessings
so unequally. She forgot that old
Mother Hugot was a hard mistress and
forgave her the bruises on her poor body
and the unkind words she used toward
her. She mounted into heaven when
Jacques put his arms about her and she
could lean her head for a moment on his
broad shoulder.
But these opportunities were seldom
granted her for sinking her soul in Lethe.
There were cows to milk, and the pigs to
feed, and the turkeys to tend, and when
she could finally slip away to her lover
whistling impatiently round the corner
of the lane she had but a few moments
to spare from her mistress, who was i'm
patient the instant the girl was out of
her sight.
They used to watch the moon come up
sometimes. round and fiery and glowing
in the soft \. Ann sky, and Jacques would
claim a kiss for every star that appeared
in the heavens as they watched. All,
Fanchette loved the stars! One shone
into her little easement at night, and she
always thought of Jacques when she saw
it, and his kisses seemed to her again laid
Oh her lips as she fell asleep with her eyes
fixed on the distant light.
Fanchette was very faithful to Mother
Hugot, who grumbled at having to keep
her and called her shiftless and a good
for-nothing. But Fanchette knew from
the tiny gold locket around her neck and
from the embroidery on a bit of a gown
Mother Hugot had shown her that she
was Jacques equal at least, and she al
ways looked for a delivery to come to
her in some guise OF other. Every morn
ing when she arose she would say, "Per-
haps today my deliverer will come" and
every night when she went to bed she
prayed, "God, 1 thank thee that I am ye1
alive, for I know thou wilt send me a
great blessing tomorrow"
So when the fairy godmother finally
did arrive Fanchette was the least sur
prised of any of the village.
When Jacques met her that evening
in the lane, he laid his head down against
her to hide his face, out of which the
gay light had faded.
"You are going away" he cried, "to
be a great lady. You have a title; you
will live in a palace. I, poor Jacques,
what shall I do? I think death world
not be difficult"
81 shall come back, Jacques, in a year
they have promised me that-and then
we can be married if you are waiting
for me still. Parting is but a test Of
true love. Don't give your kisses OF
your love words to other girls to make
the time speed faster, my own Jacques.
If I feel that you are all my own in deed
and in thought, there will be no sting in
the sadness of u parting"
Jacques lifted up his head. The moon
came up lightly owe the late lime trees
and shone upon his boyish face"
81 promise" he said, solemnly lifting
his hand on high, and then he drew her
dark head against his shoulder and
pressed her lips with his own.
SIN a year from tonight I will meet
you here. Oh, Fanchette, my love, my
own, you will not fail me-"
"Never, Jacques, if I come to rags.
will keep my word. If I come to a beg
gar, still I will meet you here"
Remember u star, Fanchette. Ev-
cry night I will look for it, and when
you see its rays you will know your
Jacques is dreaming of you and praying
for your return"
When the sun chased the shadows
from the earth next morning, Fanchette
woS many miIos AWAY