The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-03-27
On Chenierc
Carr1ir1ada
Bv LINDA NJ. BENSEL.
(copyrfghted by Daily Story Pub. Coz


the busy fishermen had mended nets.
The light-hearted Andre himself, the
gayest among them, had warned
them not to venture from shore.
"There win be a storm, / am afraid,
was his laconic warning, given every
now and then between the mirth and
gibes Of his Acknowledgement. So, as
they we're to celebrate the betrothas
of Andre and of Marie Bizan that
nigh. they remained at shore, in an
ticipation of the feast that was to
come.
The girls of Cheniere were in a fut-
ter of expectation. Tongues were
not still moment that day, while
the bellies tried and fitted their
fnery, and arranged ribbons, in an
ticipation of the event. Marie Bizan
\ was great favorite as well as a
great beauty.
Day wore on, and evening came,
and sunset; sunset, with all its 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, a light rain
began to fall Strange" muttered
Glode. as he hurried his family to
the friendly lights that cleaned from
the windows of the Bizans. But he
hid his fear, and made merry with
the rest. The fiddlers merrily tuned
away, the light feet of the dancers
never faltered and spirits ran high.
At ten came supper. Old Bizan
arose to give the toast. "Friends,'
said he, this is truly happy occa
sion. And I announce to you the
betrothal 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 Eve do, we
do" Then came call for Andre.
"a speech, a speech" some one
cried
Suddenly a lettering figure APP
peared at the door. 1t was old Man
uel, the fisherman. who had refused
to come to the feast. He pointed
wavering finger at Andre. Eyes, An
DIRE, lad, speak, for this is thy last
night"
For moment indignation ran high.
But for the age of the fisherman he
would have been nnceremoniously
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 in
the day when he dampened their
ardor by discouraging the holding of
the feast.
ooh, stop croaking, Manuel" cried
Alcee. Come. give him some wine.
Gaspard, give him some wine. 1t viii
warm up his old blood. Then he Will
sing. instead of croaling." Higher
and higher the music rose. and loud
err and gayer became the guests. Out
side the wind blew a gale and the
rain came in sheets. And still the
mirth went on.
let Manuel give MS 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
fair girl. For never will she be a
bride. Never VIII the wedding feast
be known. The bells shall not ring
save it be for corpse that has been
taken 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 earnest 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 trembled. Andre, though, sat
with clenched fists and grinding
eeth He would settle with old Man
lel in the morning
A lull upon the crowd. The fiddlers
~ agape, the guests were chattering
olubly. Some laughed derisively,
while others quaked with fear.
For | say these two shall not
we'd" old Manuel's voice went on. 81
Jay it is writ, my brothers, that they
must die"
Then men jumped to their feet.
pld Nine. Bizan screamed
SHANE, shame" cried some, while
theirs tried to still the wild-eyed
sherman.
st is useless, my brothers." he
ried. 'Not only they, but we all
hall die, must die, and tonight
wen now it is too late to return to
our homes, You, Baptiste, think
GU will go back to Grand Isle to-
ight in your luggage? Alas, never
gain shall your eyes behold Grand
sle. ! tell you the storm is upon
S. 1t is too late, too late" The
bice rose and then fell, and died
way in a moan.
II was foo late And toa 1ota 4ba,,