Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-06

lain at anchor in the bay, while the
busy fishermen had mended nets. The
light hearted Andre himself, the gay
est among them, had warned them nc
to venture from shore. There will be
a storm, l am afraid" was his laconic
warning, given every now and then be-
tween the mirth and gibes Of his fellow
fishermen. So, as they were TO cello
brate the betrothal of Andre and CT
| Marie Bizan that night, they remained
at shore, in anticipation of the feast
that was to come.
The girls OF Cheniere were in a fiu.ter
Of expectation. Tongues were not still
a moment that day, while the bellies
tried and fitted their fnery, and ar
ranged ribbons, in anticipation Of the
event. Marie Bizan was a great favor
tie as well as a great beauty.
Day wore on, and evening came, and
sunset; sunset, with all its wondroas
beauty, gloriously golden and strange
ly awesome. Strange that few noted
those clouds p%ortending a storm, for
the fisherfolk were usually on the alert
for such signs. Then dusk came over
the island.
When some OF the guests were still
on their way to Bizan's, a light rain be-
gan to fall. Strange" muttered Code,
nc bo burr;ad HE fautiy - the friaDdIy
lights that CLEANED from the windows
OF the Bizans. But he hid his fear, and
made merry with the rest. The fddlers
merrily tuned away, the light feet Of
the dancers never faltered, and spirits
ran high.
At 10 came supper. Old Bizan arose
to give the toast. Friends" said he,
this is truly a happy occasion. And
! announce to you the betrothal of Ma
rie and Of Andre. You have known her
from childhood, all of you. You have
seen her grow into the dear, good
daughter she is. You have known An
Dire, and you know him to have proved
himself worthy of my Marie. Friends,
offer congratulations"
There were shouts of we do. we DO"
Then came a call for Andre.
"A speech, a speech some one cried.
Suddenly, a totering figure appeared
at the door. 1t was old Manuel, the
fisherman, who had refused t o come TO
the feast. He pointed a wavering ing-
er at Andre. Yes, Andre, lad, speak,
for this is thy last night"
For a moment indignation ran higa.
But for the age of the fisherman he
would have been unceremoniously
elected from the hall. But the aged
have ever been respected among the
simple folk of Cheniere, and he was
tolerated as he had been earlier IL The
day when he dampened their ardor by
discouraging the holding Of the feast
"Oh, stop croaking, Manuel cried
Alcee. Come, give him some wine
Gaspard, give him some wine. 1t will
warm UP his old blood Then he will
sing, instead of his c~roaking.' Higher
and higher the music rose, and louder
and gayer became the guests. Outside
the wind blew a gale, and the rain came
in sheets. And still the mirth went on.
LET Manuel give us a toast" cried
Gaspard, who had proffered the old
fisherman the wine at Alcee's sugges-
ton.
AYE, aye" said the hoary Manuel, "a
toast it shall be. And not to your fail
girl. For never will she be a bride
Never will the wedding feast be
known. The bells shall not ring, save
it be for a corpse that has beer taken
I from the water. For it is written, my
brothers, these two shall not we'd" The
cracked voice became high and clear
the tones were even resonant, so earn
est was the speaker.
Unhappy Manuel" sighed the wife
Of Bizan. HE has suddenly lost his
wits. But why should he come here:
For shame, to brighten my little Marie,
For Marie had grown white and trem-
bled. Andre, though, sat with clench-
ed fists and grinding teeth. He would
settle with old Manuel in the morn
ing.
a lull fell upon the crowd. The id-
dlers sat agape, the guests were chatter
ing volubly. Some laughed derisively.
Others quaked with fear.
For l say these two shall not We'd
OLD Manuel's voice went on. 81 say
it is writ, my brothers, that they mus
die"
Then men jumped to their feet. Old
Madame Bizan screamed.
Shame, shame" cried some, while
others tried to still the w~ild-eyed fish
erman.
ut is useless. my brothers. ne cried
mot only they, but we all shall die
must die, and tonight. Even now, it is
to late to return to your homes. You
Baptiste, think you will go back tc
Grand Isle tonight in your lugger!
Alas, never again shall your eyes be.
LILA Grand Jc1a foil vou tho ctorm /,