St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-10-07
little, little light. In the nor ming ons
knows that child is lost.

shore, gurgling, plashing; like the lit
lie frogs that pipe in the spring; like
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
fall on windy autumn evenings. and the
long moses swing like an old mans
beard from the decaying hemlock."
There were two Lours more of pad
ding, but hardly word was spoken.
Grandmere's head had sunk upon her
breast. Yvonne's gaze was fixed ear
nestly upon the young mans face, as
ii she found strength there. Willough-
by, watching the PROV as he sent j,
shooting through the water. had even
before his eyes the vague. mysterious
image Of the Lady of the Flag-Flowers
They approached the hillside OF
which stood grandmere'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" suid Willough.
by, as he turned the canoe toward the
shore.
Then, by a sudden impulse, he leaned
toward Yvonne.
You have not told me the name of Ii
Jongleuse, Yvonne!"
Non. non, for it is re bad fortune tc
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 will appear it be sign of DEATH
He held out his hand to guide her te
the bank. and when he felt her fingers
within his own, masterful desire grew
strong in him. His persuasion coulo
conquer her fear.
''Yyonne, tell me her name"
He put his arm about her to stead.
her as she wavered at his side.
Il shall let nothing harm you." ano
he frightened his clasp of her hand.
NJ. Villeaubille, w make you me te
speak? Her name, it ees Matshi Skeou,
the young girl whispered. Her face
raised to his, was illuminated by fash
of lightning.
Then, in the intense blackness tina,
followed, there was deafeniIg noise
an avalanche of sound crashing about
them. A tree in the neighboring forest
fell, struck by thunderbolt. Grand
mere sat in the boat, her head SUM
upon her breast, motionless.
Yvonne laid hand upon her shoul
der, but the old woman did not raise
her head.
''Grandmerc!" she cried, looking
down into her face. Then: .'Malheur!
Ellie est morte, morte!" she shrieked
La Jongleuse, la Jongleuse."
twas true. The old woman was dead
Willoughby carried the burden to the
house, where the husband and mar.
ried daughter awaited them.
He felt ccnscious-stricken. He knew
that Yvonne would regard him as re.
sponsible for the calamity. Perhap.
the superstition had laid hold little or
him. At any rate, he sincerely repent.
ed that lie had made the young gir
speak the dreaded name.
''What would you like to have ms
do?" he asked her after the grandmoth
er's body had been tenderly laid upor
bed.
''Shall 60 for priest?"
She looked at him with reproach IL
her eyes, but her voice was low ant
sweet.
"Yes. NJ. Villeaubille; if you would b
so good"
He ran down to the shore again, il
the gathering storm. As he stoopet
over the canoe he heard light steps be
hind him on the grass. 1t had been al
uncanny experience even for Willough
by, the night. the storm, the mysteriou!
glimpses OF a strange and solitary coun
try, the weird tale of Indian super
stition, the dead woman. who hat
stirred not in the canoe, Yvonne's cry:
La Jongleuse. la Jongleuse."-no won
der that he started when he heard tn,
unexpected sound behind him.
No wonder that wild fancy mad,
his heart beat quick. A slight figure
stood beside him. Yvonne's voice
spoke:
M. Vilieaubille, would not zait yo,
retourn to re village. Ze times ees too
too malfortunate. NJ. Villeaubille. tel
me true, true"
The young girl stepped up to him and
laid her two hands lightly, one on eacf
OF his shoulders.
Had you not fear zees momante.
Haf you not ven you hear my stepping
zink ouf ze Jongleuse?'
Wilioughby laughed.
Zen you will not go. 1t ees ver' bar
sign ven one hass her in ze mind"
Willoughby felt himself swayed b,
the force of the young girls will. HI
also felt himself swayed by contrary
force impeliing him to go. as if in som'
way his decision imported much II
him. The Lady of the Flag-Flower,
had cast her spell over him. Would shs
conquer? Would he yield?
''Grandmere ees dead. Ze priest, b,
may come in re morning. vii be con
tent to sait.''
Willoughby turned the boat upside
down upon the shore, and started bacl
toward the house with Yvonne. 4 long
low cry came waveringly from th'
stream, and a cold touch was laid upoI
his forehead. He raised his hand I.
brush it away, but his hand met onl,
the empty air.
A little winding path led through tn,
trees to the house. 1t was very dark
and the branches which they divided
across their path sprang back again be
hind them with snaps and crackles.
Willoughby thought he heard littl.
movements. now on this side. now OF
that, sometimes in front, sometimes be
hind.
"Yvonne, are there three of us here 2
The girl disengaged her hand from
his arm. and, with an inarticulat'
scream. flung from him through tn
trees and vanished.
Then came voice to Willoughby
low and flute-like, whether from above
from beside or from within, he coult
not distinguish.
"You have yielded through fear o
the Jongleuse. Therefore, you vii
har olxravS and che will hrin,