The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-11-27
A WOEFUL WAGER.

A WOEFUL WAGER.
"Six pairs. -
"Long ones, ten buttons and suedes."
"You can choose for yourself"
Done"
"Oh, you will back out"
"Ir' Indignantly. "No, indeed. Ihave
been longing for it for days"
"All right, then, take the bet"
"Hello!" chimed in o third voice from
the other end of the room. "What are you
two up to now?"
The girl laughed.
1T thought you were too deep In politics
to be listening" she said; "but, If you
want to know, Stanley has just bet me six
to one''-
"That she won't walk down the Grand
rue at MONDAY in the fisher girl costume
she admires so MUCH" interrupted Stan
ley.
Percy Rivers threw his paper on the
ground, rose and crossed the room.
"What nonsense is thisp'' he asked stern
ly, facing his younger brother and sister.
Ethel shrugged her shoulders.
"You are always spoil sport, Percy"
she said plaintively. "It is as dull as ditch
water with you stepping in to stop every
bit of fun. Where's the harm in thisP 1
dare say, for all your long face and prig-
gish manner, that you had plenty of larks
in your time"
Percy's brows grew sterner
cam to understand, Ethel" he said,
THAT you purpose masquerading here in o
foreign town."
Ethel nodded.
"Call it what you like" she said dog
gedly, 81 am going to dress up as n fish
wife, The costume is most becoming.
Stan can withdraw his bet; shall do 1T
just the same"
~ forbid you, Ethel"
A defiant look answered him.
"We'll see," she said saucily "I'm off
to consult madame" And with glance
at Stanley she left the room.
"How could you be so senseless, STAN
ley?" said his brother angrily'as the door
closed. "Now she will carry out this ridic-
ulous farce
Don't fly into q passion, Percy" re-
turned the young fellow calmly. "I had
no idea she was really in earnest.
Then as his senior paced the floor:
After all, 1T is nothing very dreadful"
"When does this mad performance take
placer" asked Percy, stopping short.
Stanley shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, Ethel will settle that"
LOOK here" said Percy grimly, ~
wash my hands of you both, but depend
on you, Stanley, to keep her out of any
scrape this tomfoolery leads to-
"All right, old fellow, but you can be
easy. Ethel won't come to grief"
Miss Rivers in the meanwhile was closet
ed in madame's sanctum behind the shop.
The Lenoirs were jewellers, but mother and
daughter would have found their income
precarious enough without the money ac-
cruing from the first and second floors,
now occupied by the Riverses. 1t was
policy, therefore, to be obliging, SO though
Nine. Lenoir was shocked at the proposed
escapade and inwardly apostrophized the
English as ga mad lot" she expressed
great interest.
81 think I can find mademoiselle the
dress she requires" she said all smiles
and smirks.
"You dear woman" exclaimed Ethel,
delighted "HowP WhereP OF course it
must DC new"
Madame nodded.
"Leonie," addressing her daughter,
Josephine would lend hers, ehP"
"WhatY" cried Leonie shrilly. "Her
wedding dress-neverr'
Madame regarded Ethel
"Mademoiselle would be very careful of
It, would she notp" she said
ooh, yes" replied the young lady CO.
gerly. ~ only want it for an hour. But
will it fit mep"
The Frenchwoman surveyed Ethel from
top to toe critically.
Eyes," she said, "mademoiselle is the
same height" Then with q wink at
Leonie, "How much will mademoiselle
pay for the loanP"
"The cost is the least part" replied the
girl quickly. ~ leave that to you, dear
madame. "
Madame's arched eyebrows and hand
gesture said plainly, "The folly of these
peopler' and she instantly resolved to take
advantage of the said folly to do a stroke
Of business on her own account independ-
emily of the commission she intended to
charge Josephine when the bargain was
concluded.
"Iwill send about the costume at once"
she said aloud. "And, Josephine, If she
consents, shall bring 1t to show mademoi-
selle this evening. 1t Is all complete ex-
cept'-
Except WHAT" interrupted Ethel ca
gerly as madame paused while Leonie
looked wonderingly at her mother.
"The long earrings, replied the French
woman suavely. "Mademoiselle knows
they are an essential part of the dress and
Josephine would not care to lend them
But began Leonie.
A frown from madame cut her short.
"Mademoiselle must buy pair of real
gold Ones" suggested the shrewd trades
woman, with a triumphant glance at her
daughter, and, leading the unresisting
Ethel into the shop, she showed her several
pairs of handsome earrings.
"You ninny," said madame to Leonie,
with a reproving shake of the head, when
Ethel, having selected, ran off with her
treasures, "you ninny. will you never
learn to open your mouth for the ripe
fruit to tumble in it?''
The Boulognaise fish girl proved ready
to oblige the English lady, and Ethel was
summoned down stairs that evening.
"This is Josephine, Mees Etel," said