The Opelousas courier., 1896-12-26

I'VE are 10 be married next Week,
she said simply.
"And what will Antoine say to you:
lending your nery?" broke in Leonie'
high treble voice.
Josephine's face clouded.
"dold your tongue" cried MADAME
to her daughter "Antoine is not sucl
q fool; he will think a handful O
francs payment enough"
Josephine looked from one to the
other hesitatingly, but Ethel, unheed
ing the dispute, slipped on the petit
coat.
"Did I not tell mademoiselle il
would be the right %size," exclaimed
Nine. Lenoir triumphantly-"eh
Josephine?".
But Josephine kept her eyes on the
ground.
"Their figures are exa city alike
continued madame, noddi ng her hea6
in approval at both supple, graceful
forms.
Ethel gathered up tie rest Of tic
apparel in her arms.
"Stop o moment, nam '%selle," said
Josephine. touching her. "Autoine
is strange; he may be vexed, as Mad.
emoiselle Leonie suggested just
now"
"You won't lend them?" Ethel's
voice was plaintive.
Madame came to her rescue.
"You emit dlsappoint Mees Etel
after it has all been arranged" she
said to Josephine. "Antoine need not
know unless You are SO silly as TO tell
him, and the money will come in use
full"
A smile crept around the orner of
Josephine's lips.
"Take the things, ~mam'selle," she
cried; and Ethel, promising to return
them the following evening, slipped
away.
About II o'clock next morning o
tap st Stanley's door made him open
it. He stared for q moment, then
uttered a long drawn whistle.
''Well, do l look nice?" demanded
his sister, gleefully.
"Capltal!" and he laughed hear.
thy.
"How did you manage it so soon?
But, Ethel" and his tone was serious,
"mind your pis and q's, don't look
about you"
She nodded.
81 shall. go straight down the
Grande Rue to the quay, pop in upon
the Stuarts, and back again; while l
gone. Stan, you can buy the
Ar revoir!" And kissing her
hand, she descended the stairs.
Percy, coming up, almost knocked
against her. lie started at the gay
apparition. Then he recognized
"Good heavens!" he groaned, but
before he could say more the bird had
down into madame's parlor.
Percy hesitated a moment. and
walked into S%tanley's room.
"What's up?" asked the young
81 have just met Ethel in that ridic-
llous %toggery," answered Percy irate-
y. ''You will please follow her and
see that she does not getinto mischief,
10 you hear?'
But Percy, returning to his study,
could not settle himself to his work.
Ethel had neither father nor mother ;
title control as he possessed over her,
le was still the responsible party.
The thought of possible insult to his
nadcap sister so disturbed him that
Re resolved to go after her himself.
IN unexpected call, however, detained
nim from putting his resolution into
immediate action.
In the parlor Ethel had been duly
and fattered.
"But mademoiselle's hands will be-
ray her," said Nine. Lenlor. "They
re far too white and delicate. Leonie,
eteh a basket. There" as the desired
arrived, "mademoiselle can
uck them under her shawl round the
So-that's better"
Thus equipped, Ethel set off.
"She is as like Josephine as two
YEAS from behind, said madame, watch
ug the girl.
"If only Antoine does not catch
light of herl T. murmured Leonie, with
frown.
Ethel threaded her way through the
of people usual at that hour of
he day in the Grande Rue, and though
he looked neither to the right nor to
be left, she was aware Of the many
urious glances. smiles, and mods di-
ected at her.
Her heart beat loudly, partly ex-
itement, partly fear of recognition or
eing accosted. She gained the
house without molestation.
husband and wife were just sitting
own to the noon breakfast when a
maid ushered in Ethel.
"Ethel!" screamed Mrs. Stuart,
what mad fresSeAs this?"
The Captain, WI had not pene-
rated the disguise a-uickly as his
life, now looked grave.
"My dee2 young lady. he said,
how could you do a s,sthtng SO
d
Ethel explained the iole, but her
lends shook their heads. How ceuld
Grey have allowed it!
She sat subdued and disp1rited for e
~ moments, and rose TO depart.
Eyes, get back as quickly as you
IN, you silly child" said Mrs Stuart.
The return journey had lost its zest
he flavor had gone from the fun.
thel, as she went swiftly along the
was more alive than ever to the
'mments OF the passers-by, and the
ances of other fish girls. The bright
llnr in her checks had niran nlaao Ia