The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-06-03
miscellaneous
STORY OF FANCHON.

OlUNI vi / ANlllUN.
Surely the moon never witnessed sc
rare, so strange, sight rs that which
its own rays served to produce. On a
desolate space of land, short dis
lance from a forlorn hut, where it cast
its brightest beams, d young girl OF
some fifteen summers, the only figure
in the solitary landscape, waved alofi
her arms as she danced to and fro.
singing aloud 70 her own shadow, now
here now there, now everywhere, toss.
ing back the luXuriaut hair. which
fell in unkeInpt profusion over her
face, the moon revealing it, lit up by
pair of large, dark eyes, almost eifi3n
in their brightness.
You're here again. she said to the
shadow, stopping suddenly in her
song. Il Ill so glad to see YOU. Are
you going to the festival tomorrow
Why do you always come to me ia the
moonlight? See, this is a new dance
! have learned. Stop a minute; don't
do Just what | do. Are you-hist.
What's that?'' A sound OF weeping
breaking upon her delicately attuned
ear, az turning quickly she discovered
d lad some few years her senior seated
on a stone, crying bitterly.
"Ah, it's you, Claude, and what 5
the natter What brings you to the
old witch's cottage at this hour Of the
nighty'
Fl have lost my way" the boy an
swered, land am cold and hungry
and unhappy. Fritz don't love me
any more. He's in love with the law
yer's daughter, the belle Of the village,
and he don't care any more for me-
'Ha, ha, ha, han laughed the
girl, mockingly. 80 your handsome
twin brother is in love, and you are so
unhappy that you must needs wander
off to the witch's door. Take care,
Claude. She'll look at you with the
evil eye, or if she don't | will, and | Ii
her grandchild. I've inherited it."
Don Fanchon. don't.' the boy
answered. "Oh, dear, what shall |
dor
DO? Go home! Ny, what a time
there'll be. the whole country search
ing for you. That's the way, up over
the bridge. You can't mistake it. l
will take you part of the road, and
and-if you are very hungry
ing a piece of dry bread from her
pocket take this. I'm not hungry"
at all. Oh, no; of course not,-(aside)
its only my supper, shadow. l
don't want it: l never eat dry bread;
oh, 10; but, see here, Claude, IN future
leave my chickens alone.
There, shadow, hes gone now. I've
left him on the hill. Its wei! for him
Granny didn't see him. She wouiI;
beat me, shadow, If she knew l Hay
ed with YOU"
"Fanchon.n Her name caused her
to start. 1t was Fritz, Clande's twin
brother, the wealth. farmers other
son. who stood beside her.
"Well,n she answered, jeeringly.
81 have come to see your grand
mother, Fanchon, to ask her to help
ne. She hates my father, l well
know, but gold is gold, and hope this
will tempt her to disclose ter me my
brothers hiding place. He left home
yesterday, foolishly Jealous OF me- and
we can find no trace Of him.
80 you come TO the witch in your
need, do you? Perhaps, NJ. Fritz,
you need not go SO far!''
"Fanchon, what do you mean? G IN
YOU tell me where he is? But sh) "
me and l will do for you anything in
the world"
But with the world turned upside
down, surely when the great man
son is asking faVors of the witch :
srandchild, Fanchon the despised,
Fanchon whom even the village child
rem laugh and jeer at; Fanchon-''
but the voice moment before Sc
mocking held sound OF tears, and there
was suspicious moisture IL the bright
ewes as her hand dashed across them,
and she once more began her SroteaquG
dance in the moonlight.
so YOUR brother Claude has gone,
eh?'' she continued, with regaIned pos
session. land you want to know III;
whereabouts. Look for him, Mr. Fritz
Perhaps you'll find him. don't think
Granny will help you.
But, you will, Fanchon. if you can
Here take this gold and tell men'
With imperious gesture, worthy {
princess in her kingdom, she wavec
the money back.
cake your goldn she said. Ever
gold, Fritz Gienroy, would rot buy
me. Yes, know where your brother
is. You said moment ago you woult
give me anything l asked. Give mt
YOUR word to grant my first request
wherever made, and L will lead yot
to him.
ION my honor, as q gentleman
| Fauchon, you have my promise, ant
in another moment her light footsteps
were springing up the glade to Tx
SPOT where the foolish truaHt was Il
| be found. $500.
"Ah, shadow, you are here still.'
she exclaimed, on her return. Wait
ing for me, are you? | have my re
yence now. Tomorrow is the festiva
and | am going, dressed in my best
and-and-bursts of laughter issuin!
from the red lips-"I shall make Frit
dance with me. Me-Fanchon, ant
she will be there, she whom he loves
the laughter died now-"and he vii
have to lead me cut before them all
he
"Fanchon! Fanchon, Come to be,
this instantu' called out q sharp vote
weak with age, aud with kiss thr0 ri
at the shadow, who returned it, Fan
ehon disappeared as the moon retired
wouderingly behind & cloud.
1t was the May Day festival, and a
the lads and lasses of the village wer
gathered upon the village green, tn
Youths in their holiday costumes, til
girls in their sweet, pure robes c
white, when suddenly CRY OF derisEo
rose in their midst, as 81 strange it'll
fi.are. dressed il & Powered gown, lie
dark eyes brilliantly flashing, her ha
falling loosely over her shoulders, ~
peared among them.
"Fauchon. Fanchopm passed lroi
mouth to mouth. The witch 5 gran,
child. How dare she come here:'
But on ole face Il sudden palit
grew, as spying Fritz she walked bc!;
" to his side, addressing him in Il toI
SO low only his ear could catch Il
words. Are you ready to mEke goo
!, Your promise? / want II partner f'
l the May dance. ! have chosen you.