Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-03-27
On. Cheriere
Caninada
by LINDA N. BENSEL.
tcOpyrIshssd b. D.ily ssory Fub, ool


The light-heartcd Andre himself, the
gayest among them, had warned
them not 10 venture from shore.
There will be a storm, am afraid"
was his laconic warning, given every
now and then between the mirth and
gibcs of his Acknowledgement So, as
they were TO celebrate the betrothal
of Andre and of Marie Bizan that
night, they remained at shore, In an
ticipation OF the feast that was to
come.
The girls OF Cheniere were In n fiut-
ter OF expectation. Tongues were
not still moment that day, while
the bellies tried and fitted their
nnery. and arranged ribbons, In an
ticipation of the event. Marie Bizan
was great favorite as well a.
great beauty.
Day wore on. and evening came,
and sunset; sunset. with all it's won
drous beauty. gloriously golden and
strangely awesome. Strange that
few noted those clouds portending "a
storm. for the fisherfolk were usual
dusk came over the island.
When some OF the guests were still
On their way To Bizan's, n light rain
began To fall. Strange" muttered
Glode. as he hurried his family 60
the friendly 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 faltcred and spirits ran high.
AZ ten came supper. Old Bizan
arose TO give the toast. Friends"
said he, "this Is truly n happy coca"
sion. And I announce 10 you the
bstrothal Of Marie 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 Andre, 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 n call for Andre.
"a speech, a speech" some one
cried.
Suddenly q tottering figure APP
peRred at the door. IL was old Man
rcl. tbs fisherman. who had refused
In come 10 the feast. He pointed a
wavering finger at Andre. "Yes, An
DIRE, lad. speak. for this Ia thy last
night"
For a moment Indignation ran high.
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. aud he was
tolerated as he had been earlier in
the day when he dampened their
ardor by discouraging the holding OF
the feast.
"oh. stop croakinR, Manuel" cried
Alcce. Come. give him some wine,
Gaspard. give him some wine. IL will
warm up his old blood. Then he will
sing. instead OF croaking." Higher
and higher the music rose, and loud
er and gayer became the guests. Out
side the wind blew IA gale and the
rain came in sheets. And still the
mirth went ON.
"Let Manuel give US n toast" cried
Gaspard. who had profered the old
fisherman the wine at Alcee's suRges-
ton.
"Aye. aye" said the hoary Manuel.
"a toast Il shall be. And not 10 your
fair girl. For never will she be a
bride. Never will the wedding fenst
be known. The bells shall not ring
save IL be for a corpse that has been
taken from the water. For IL is
written. my brothers, these two shall
not we'd" The cracked voice became
high and clear, the tones were even
resonant, so earnest was the speaker.
unhappy Manuel" sighed the wife
of Bizan. Gle has suddenly lost his
wits. But why should he come here
For shame. 20 brighten my little
Marie" For Marie had grown white
and trembled. Andre, though. sat
with clenched fists and grinding
teeth. He would settle with old Man
uel in the morning.
A lull upon the crowd. The fddlers
sat agape, the guests were chatterinG
yolubIy. Some laughed derisively
While Others quaked with fear.
For | say these two shall not
we'd" old Manuers voice went on. 81
say II is writ, my brothers, that they
must lie"
Then men jumped TO their feet
Old Mime. BiZan screamed.
"shame. shame" cried some, while
others tried to still the wild-eyec
fisherman.
at Is useless, my brothers" h'
cried. mot only they, but we al
shall die, must die, and tonight
Even now IL is too late to return &c
YOUR homes. You, Baptiste, thinl
YOU will go back To Grand Isle TO
night In your luggage? Alas, never
again ,hall your eyes behold Gran'
Isle. ! tell you the storm is upoI
ma. 1t is too late, too late" Thu
voice rose and then fell, and dice
away In moan
IL was too late. And, too late, the.
realized IL.
Ths quests had risen from Thu