The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-04-27

'On my honor, as gentleman,
Fanhon, you have my promise, " and
in another moment her light footsteps
were springing up the glade to the
spot where the foolish truant was to
be found.
"Ah, shadow, you are here still"
she exclaimed, on her return. "Wait-
ing for me, are you? L have my re-
venge now. Tomorrow is the festival,
and / am going, dressed in my best,
and-and"-bursts of laughter issuing
from the red lips-'I shall make
Fritz dance with me. Me-Fanchon,
and she will be there, she whom he
loves"-the laughter died now -"and
he will have to lead me out before
them all, he"
'Fanchon! Fanchoni Come 10 bed
this Instant" called out a sharp voice,
weak with age, and with kiss thrown
at the shadow, who returned it, Fan
chon disappeared as the moon retired,
wonderingly behind cloud.
1t was the May Day festival, and all
the lads and lasses Of the village we're
gathered upon the village green, the
youths in their holiday costumes, the
girls in their sweet, pure robes of
white, when suddenly cry of derision
rose in their midst, as q strange little
figure, dressed in fowere l gown, her
dark eyes brilliantly flashing, her hair
falling loosely over her shoulders, ap-
peared among them.
"Fanchonl Fanchon!" passed from
mouth to mouth. "The witch's grand
child! How dare she come here?"
But on one face a sudden pallor
grew, as spying Fritz she walked
boldly to his side, addressing him in
tone so low only his ear could catch
the words. "Are you ready to make
good your promise? 1 want partner
for the May dance. 1 have chosen
you"
For a moment the pallor gave way
to a crimson hush-for a moment he
half turned away; but the scene of the
night previous arose before him, his
manhood shamed him, and he turned
bravely and took her hand.
"Fritz!" cried a voice, 'what are
you doing?" 1t was Miss Bell, the
lawyers daughter, who spoke.
"I have an engagement with Fan
chon for this dance" he answered
boldly, and with toss Of her head
and scornful smile the young beauty
turned away.
"With Fanchon?" the rest exclaimed.
"We don't dance with witches. Where
did you get your frock, Fanchon? Out
of the witch's cupboardl And what
have you strung round your neck?
Come, show us. All, you are afraid, "
as one slender hand clung convulsive-
ly to the black ribbon about the
throat.
"It is the evil eye," called one.
"Come, let us take iii"
But in moment Fritz had stepped
before her, while with one hand he
thrust her behind him.
e"Take it or touch her at your peril!''
he cried. "She is under my protec-
ton now, and you will have to answer
to me.
But in their excitement they surged
forward. SIT is the evil eye. We
will have it"
But another defender now stepped
upon the scene-their cure, who had
approached unnoticed.
"My child, "he said, addressing Fan
chon, 81 know what you wear about
your neck. 1 command you, show it
them"
Iu silence, revercntly she obeyed;
then raising it SO that all could see,
she spoke:
''It is my mothers prayer, which
you yourself, NJ. Cure, have blessed.
In moment each knee was bent,
each cap reverently doffed, as Fan
chon held the sacred relic aloft; then
once more slipped it within her dress.
"Come, Fanchon," Fritz said, kind
ly, 1--WE will dance now"
NO." she answered sadly, ''I will
go home, Fritz, and release you from
your promise; but you kept it, aud /
will not forget i'll" And, turning
quickly away, she fed lightly over the
fields back to the desolate hut she
called home.
'The old witch is dead The old
witch is deadr' was the startling news
in the little French town, some six
months later. Poor little Fanchonl
She had received only crusts of bread,
only harsh words aud blows all her
life, but none the less when she fol-
lowed, sole mourner, to the grave, she
felt as though her last friend had de-
parted. 1t was Fritz who came to
cheer aud comfort her; who told her
of the money they had found, which
would give her handsome dowry one
of these days-Fritz, who somehow
made her ashamed of her Ignorance,
and taught her how to conquer it.
Books were natural enemies, but she
clung TO them bravely; brsvely bore
the jeers aud SCOTS of the children at
the village school, until they forgot to
ieer in admiration.
But her life was very sad and veIy
lonely, and as, little by little knowl'