The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1907-11-28

petre mad nfcknamed Marie NOISE
because of the frequency with which
her tears fell and because they seem.
cd at times unreasonable as summer
showers. La Pluie!
The name had stuck as nicknames
on the Bayou always do and what was
worse, Marie had not outgrown the
reproach. She still cried---in season
and out Of it--though she had grown
/. to be big girl, large indeed for four
teen, stout and strong.
But La Pluie was not crying as she
hurried homeward through that clear
frightened to find herself out alone so
late. Bright-eyed, breathing deeply.
she hurried along, taking the up
slopes with the free, swift stride of
her splendid strength. She should
not have been out alone at this hour
and she would not have been IL things
had gone as she had planned. She had
run over to the Reneaus expecting
to stay all night with Victorine and
had found Mathilde Champetree al
ready there as the guest for the
night. Victorine's bed would not
hold more than two 30 La Pluie had
paid a little visit and started to go
home. But Just then Mathilde began
to tell about her brothers homestead.
He was planning to be married soon
and all the girls present knew the
Girl he ives going to marry. Small
wonder Marie forgot what time 1t
was, until the long shadows scared
her. But she would hurry!
La Pluie did hurry and she was fast
gaining on the fading day when a
strange sound from the branch halted
her. 1t was queer sound, hoarse.
weak croak as though some hurt
thing was trying to initiate the Bien-
yieu halloo for help.
La Pluie stopped and listened.
II wish to know, me, what das is.
It's hurt
u The cry came again. weaker, more
of croak.
It's hurt. yes!"
La Pluie left the road and went
swiftly in search of the hurt thing
Breaking through the bushes. stoop-
ing, peering, on and on to the foot
of big bee-tree and ~' f
"Ah, Marie!" she said, soft voiced
and pitiful.
And 1t was pitiful sight, that brave
face paling there 80 swiftly in the
long. dry grass and the strong young
body growing lax and limp while the
life went out of 1t in bright red spurts.
A pitiful sight, but La Pluie did not
cry. She dropped on one knee beside
the fallen man, lifted the cut leg high
on her other knee and pressed her
thumb down hard on that squirting
artery.
Il have stopped the blood, Raoul."
she said. "Reste Tranquil. l will call
for help, me-"
And upon whom should she call for
help in this time Of stress with only
her thumb between the, Bayou's we'll
loved rogue and death? Upon whom
should she call? Who was 1t that
had shielded her since babyhood
comforted her. fought for her. Who
but the red-headed Champetre boy
that had grown now such a wild.
> boasting fellow even his own, sister
despaired of him.
"Bete-nofre!" La Pluies voice car.
ried far and true but the Champetre
farm was miles away. How could
Bete-noire hear?
Steadily, clearly, La Pluie sent forth
her hail with never a fear that he
would fail her. Sometimes between
the calls she spoke cheerily to Raoul
who tainted with weakness and came
to and tainted again; sometimes she
prayed softly to the Holy Mother;
and always she held her thumb hard
down. She did not cry.
"Bete-noire! Bete-noire!"
The night grew darker, deeper un
til La Pluie could no longer see the
leg across her knee. "Bete-noire"-
La Pluie!" The answering hail
came like leap of JOY and the anx
ious question tore after 1t through
the night. Tout va bien?"
"Oui, I'm wit Raoul'
There was no need for another call
Bete-noire's wood-man's ears had
placed the sound. Marie heard the
bushes breaking before his rapid ap
preach; heard the dry sticks swapping
beneath his feet and
II have stopped the blood, Bette
noire, mails can't tear apron wit one
hand. wish, me, you make light and
tear apron. Raoul. he have cut him
patfp als