Sharp County record. (Evening Shade, Ark.) 1877-1976, 1900-01-19

NoiINo, hhC "hht 50 tA3N -St 20
ing, signing; like the water on the
shore, gurgling, FLASHING; 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 hours 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 ne 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 grandmere's little white
house. The storm that had been threat
ening for so long, seemed almost ready
to burst above their heads.
ut is near midnight" said Willough-
by, as he turned the canoe toward the
shore.
Then. by sudden impulse, he leaned
toward Yvonne.
you have not told me the name of La
Jongleuse, Yvonne!"
mon, 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.
III one speak her name and the hour
ees midnight, then she will appear, and
il she will appear it be sign of death"
He held out 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.
"Yvonne, tell me her name"
He put his arm about her to steady
her rs she wavered at his side.
II shall let nothing harm you," and
he frightened his clasp Of her hand.
NJ. Villeaubille, Wy make you me to
speak? Her name, it ees Matshi Skeou,"
the young girl whispered. Her face,
raised to his, was illuminated by fash
oflightning.
Yvonne laid q hand upon her shout
der, but the old woman did not raise
her head.
"Grandmere!" she cried, looking
down into her face. Then: "Malheur!
Ellie est morte, morte!" she shrieked.
LA Jongleuse, Ia Jongleuse!"
1t was true. The old woman was dead.
Willoughby carried the burden to the
house, where the husband and mar
ried daughter awaited them.
He felt conscious-stricken. He knew
that Yvonne would regard him as re-
sponsible for the calamity. Perhaps
the superstition had laid hold little on
him. At any rate, he sincerely repent
ed that he had made the young girl
speak the dreaded name.
What would you like to have me
do?" he asked her after the grandmoth.
er's body had been tenderly laid upon
a bed.
SHALL I go for priest?"
ayes, NJ. villeaubille; If you would be
10 good.'
He ran down TO the shore again, in
the gathering storm. As he stopped
over the canoe he heard light steps be-
hind him on the grass. 1t had been an
uncanny experience even for Willough.
by, the night, the storm, the mysterious
glimpses Of strange and solitary coun.
try, the weird tale OF Indian super.
stition, the dead woman, who had
stirred not in the canoe, Yvonne's cry:
la Jongleuse, la Jongleuse!"-no won.
der that he started when he heard the
unexpected sound behind him.
No wonder that wild fancy made
his heart beat quick. A slight figure
stood beside him. Yvonne's voice
spoke:
m. Villeaubille, I would not zait you
retourn TO re village. Re times ees too,
too malfortunate. M. villeaubille, tell
ME true, true"
The young girl stepped up to him and
laid her two hands lightly, one on each
Of his shoulders,
Had you not fear ices momante
Haf you not ven you hear my stepping
link OUT re Jonglsuse?"
Wllloughby laughed.
Zen You will not 20. II ses YER bad
Agn ven one hass her IN re mind"
Willoughby felt himself swayed by
the force Of the young girls will. He
also felt himself swayed by contrary
force impelling him TO 90. as II in some
way his decision imported much to
, him. The Lady Of the Flag-Flowcrs
had cast her spell over him. Would she
nonqaerr Would he yield7
"Grandmere ees dead. Re priest. he
may come In 70 morning, Ivill be con-
tent TO vait."
willoughby turned the boat upside
down upon the shore, and started back
toward the house with Yvonne. A long,
low cry came waveringly from the
stream. and cold touch was laid upon