The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-10-27
FARMyILLE, VA. FRIDAY. OCTOBER 27. 1899.

'4ulV' x suIBnhB, pldshlng, like the lit
sle frogs that pipe in the spring; ik,
the grasshoppers. cracking. clapping:
like the little cricket, lonely. chirping;
and sometimes you can hear her moan
around the gray caves of an empty
house. when the dead trees break and
fail on windy autumn evenings. and the
long MOSES swing like an old mans
beard from the decaying hemlock."
There were two hours more of pad
ding, but hardly word was spoken.
Grandmere's head had sunk upon her
breast. Yvonnes gaze was fixed ear
nestly upon the young mans face. as
il she found strength there. Wilough-
by watching the prov as he sent it
shooting through the water, had ever
before his eyes the vague, mysterious
image Of the Lady Of the Flag-Flowers.
They approached the hillside on
which stood grapdmere's little white
house. The storm that had been threat
ening for so long, seemed almost ready
TO burst above their heads.
1T is near midnight" said Willoueh-
by, as he turned the canoe toward the
shore
Then, by sudden impulse, he leaned
toward Nyonue.
You have not told me the name of La
Jongleuse, Yvonnel"
Non, non, for it is re bad fortune to
speak it,"
Nothing will harm you now, my
child he answered, as he sprang from
the boat and pulled it up on shore.
IF one speak her name and the hour
ees midnight, then she will appear, and
if she viii appear it be a sign of DEATH"
lie held ont his hand TO guide her TO
the bank, and when he felt her fingers
within his own. masterful desire grew
strong in him. His persuasion could
conquer her fear
"lvonne. tell me her name"
Tie put his arm about her TO steady
her as she wavered at his side.
81 shall let nothing harm you," and
ne frightened his clasp of her hand.
NJ. Nilleaubille, w make YOU me to
speak? Her name, it ees Matshi Skeou."
the young girl whispered. Her face,
raised to his, was Illuminated by a flash
of lightning.
Yvcnne laid hand upon her shoul-
der. but the old woman did not raise
her head.
l.,..,,,, d ,,,,..of., ~Io ,-.1 f1-.
down into her face Then: "Malheur!
Elle est morte, morte." she shrieked.
La Jongleuse, la Jongleuse!"
il was true. The old woman was dead.
Willoughby carried the burden to the
house, where the husband and a mar
ried daughter awaited them.
lie felt conscious-stricken. lie knew
hat Nvonne would regard him as re-
iponsible for the calamity. Perhaps
he superstition had laid hold little on
lim. At any rate, he sincerely repent
I'd that he had made the young girl
peak the dreaded name.
"What would you like to have me
,o?' he asked her after the grandmoth-
RS body had been tenderly laid upon
bed.
"Shall go for priest?"
ayes, VI. Villeaubille; If you would be
o good"
He ran down TO the shore again, in
he gathering storm. As he stopped
yer the canoe he heard light steps be-
ind him on the grass. 1t had been an
ncanny experience even for Willough-
y. the night, the storm, the mysterious
limpses OF strange and solitary coun-
ry, the weird tale OF Indian super
iition, the dead woman, who had
TIRED not in the canoe, Yvonne's cry:
la Jongleusel"- won
er that he started when he heard the
nexpected sound behind him.
No wonder that a wild fancy made
is heart beat quick. 4 slight figure
ood beside him. Yvonne's voice
poke;
M. Nilleaubille, | would not zait YOU
.fourn TO ze village. Ze times ees too,
% malfortunate. VI. Nilleaubille, tell
e true, true"
The young girl stepped up to him and
id her two hands lightly, one on each
his shoulders.
Had you not fear zees momante?
af YOU not ven you hear my stepping
nix ouf ze Jongleuse?'
Willoughby laughed.
zen you viii not 60. 1t ees ver' bad
yn ven one hass her in ze mind" ,
Willoughby felt himself swayed by =
e force Of the young girls will. lie +;
so felt himself swayed 10y a contrary 9
rec impeliing him to go, as if in some
iy his decision imported much to
m. The Lady Of the Flag-Flowers
ID cast her spell over him. Would she
nquer? Would he yield? a
'Grandmere ees dead. Ze priest, he c
nv come in ze morning. will be con- Il
MT to vait." j
Willoughby turned the boat upside b
wn upon the shore, and started back Il
ward the house with Yvonne. a long, II
y cry came waveringly from the fl
cam, and a cold touch was laid upon il
forehead. lie raised his hand TO m
ash it away, but his hand met only H.
Z empty air. Il
little winding path led through the m
es TO the house. 1t was very dark, 81
] the branches which they divided w
'oss their path sprang back again be- st
I'd them with snaps and crackles.
thought he heard little
vements, now on this side, now on
It, sometimes in front, sometimes be- Il
d VI