Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-07
The ShiYering Sand.

In the district OF Morblhan, ca the
south coast of Brittany, clustered close to
a sandy beach the houses of the little
fishing village Of Morlaix 1t was an out
of the world and old world place, with
old world habits, customs, and beliefs.
Behind it rose q range OF the hills, which
sheltered 1t from the noath eastern blasts
and made it, to the very few people Of the
world who knew it, perfect little
heaven of rest in winter.
Indeed in winter there was sunshine at
Morlaix when there were fog and storm
at Ushant and on the northern coast; and
if ever a storm did blow home into The
little bay, it seemed as if tired before
reaching there; and only came to lie
down upon the hill-sides in peace. Not
that the people of Morlaix knew nothing
in their fishing schoon9rs and smacks
they would cross the wide Atlantic itself
to pick up treasures off the coast OF
bleak Newfoundland.
TO this village, on winter far from
fifty years ago, a couple came to live who
gave the villagers great cause for gossip.
They were young, and seemed as IL ibS1t
newly married; he had but passed into
manhood, while girlhood yet fingered
on her face.
At first the villagers acted shyly to-
wards the couple. "They were towns
folks" said the old people, "and they will
only laugh at our old ways and stories"
After time however. "young madam"
as the people called her, managed to get
into their good graces and, this being
done, it was not long until their Widest
legends, darkest supcrstitlons. and most
pathetic tales of loss or salvation or the
raging sea were poured into her ears.
These stories, as she heard them, she
retailed in the ears of her companion
Pi1h a childliI1e belief at which he often
laughed, but was oftener thoughtful.
"They are noble race, Edna, for all
their poverty he~said one day-the last
day OF the year, indeed as they walked
out on the beach bathed in sunshine
II like tie hear their -stsries of adventure,
for they have the true ring in them; but
the old legends and the superstition are
too much for me-"
"Well, bat, Ralph" she replied, ''the
old legends may be true for all we know
and look hew many Of their snpcrstitions
come true" !,
"Nonsense, DEAR hessaid, with laugh
as he drew her arm closer in his. Look
how many of them are made false every
day Of their lives. There is their great
story Of the shiVering sand that claims
its victim every year Why it has dis
appeared entirely, and this year, at any
rate, it has had no victim.
"Perhaps its time is up, like other evil
Il, hat. ,,c,t{ No
replied Edna: 'or perhaps the sacrifice
that was to conquer it has been made >
"What sacrificed" asked Ralph.
"Why, the people say that whenever a
victim is swallowed up, and some one
who loves him leaps after him, the sand
will become solid or disappear forever"
GO pleasant cure for the mischief, and
one not likely soon to be carried out, .
laughed Ralph; "Dut''-as they drew near
to crowd OF people gathered under the
lee OF q half-beached sehoon.r-''but
what are the people all SO solemn for this
morningg"
Before she could answer him thew were
saluted by the people, who did, indeed,
Look soemn as If some evil luck had
happened to them.
"What is wrong to-day, my friends?'
asked Ralph, as he glanced from face to
face. "You look as if going to funeral.
ooh, the sand-the shivering sand,
m'sieu," replied one of the oldest; sit has
reappeared and SO surely as it has it will
have its victiln before n1ghtr
''Ah, where is the sands l should like
to see it'll cried Ralph, eagerly.
Then the old man who had spoken
pointed out to him bare, flat piece OF
beach, with sand as smooth as table
and with glisteE upon it as if covered
ever SO thinly witk water.
"That the shiveriag sand" cried Ralph
half laughing. "Why, walked across il
yesterday, and it wac as firm as road
way"
'sAnd yet it is now as soft and treacher
Gus as the sea ITSELF replied the ole
man.
'Why how do you know that? Have
any Of you tried it?'
"Tried it?" cried several Of the men
in breath "We are not madp
There is no need to try it," said TIN
old man who had first spoken. cit ha
been tried too often, and my eyes never
deceived me whenever it appears"
"Well, we'll, will try it, cried Ralph
With a resolute shake of his head, as h
dropped Edna's arm and moved TOWARD
the dangerous spot.
''No, noH cried Edna, as she graspet
one arm, while the old villager seize'
the other, "do not go!-oh, do not go
You will be lostn'
"Not I! If do feel it the least shall
will return at once. Let me CO." AM
he shook OF EanA's grasp, while the oil
man still held him.
"You will not find it ghakey at al
until you step into the gulf ITSELF" crie'
- the old man. ''Oh, do not go, msicu
Think of young madam, if anythin.
were to go wrong with your
"Tut, it is all NONSENSE cried Ralph
as, with q resolute shake he freed him