The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-11-27

L SifdlSnO uuNu iilt NI'lLt
rue to the quay, pop in upon tho Stuarts
and back again. While l am gone, Stan,
you can buy the gloves. Au revoirn' And
kissing her hand she descended tho stairs
Percy, coming up, almost knocked
against her He started at the gay appa-
rition. Then he recognized Ethel
Good hcavens!" he groaned, but before
he could say more the bird had flown into
madames parlor
Percy hesitated moment and walked
into Stanley's room.
whats up?" asked the young fellow
81 have Just met Ethel in that ridiCu
lous toggery," answered Percy irateiy.
"You will please follow her and sec that
she does not go into mischief, do You
hear"
But Percy, returning to his study, could
not settle himself to his work. Ethel had
neither father nor mother. Little control
as he possessed over her, he was still the
responsible party. The thought OF posi-
hle insult to his madcap sister so disturbed
him that he resolved to 60 afrCr her him
self An unexpected call, however, de-
tanned him from putting his resolution in
to immediate action.
In the parlor Ethel had been duly adj
mired and nattered.
"But mademoiselle's hands will betray
her. said Nine Lenoir. 'Ihey arc far
too white and delicate. Leonie, fetch Il
basket There" rs the desired article ar
rived, "madcmoisclle can tuck them I'M
der her shawl round the basket So; that S
better. ="
Thus equipped, Ethel set off.
''She is as like Josephine as two peas
from behind, " said madame, watching the
girl.
II only Antoine does not catch sight of
herr' murmured Leonic, with frown.
Ethel threaded her way through the
throng of people usual at that hour of the
day in the Grand rue, and, though she
looked neither to the right nor to the left,
she was aware of the many curious glances,
smiles and mods directed at her.
Her heart beat loudly-partly excite
ment, partly fear of recognition or being
accosted. She gained the Stuarts' house
without molcstation. Husband and wife
wero just sitting down to the noon break
fast when grinning maid ushercd in
Ethel
"Ethelr' screamed Mrs. Stuart. "What
mad freak is this?"
The captain, who had not penetrated the
disguise rs quickly as his wife, now look
ed grave.
My dear yong lady" he said, chow
could you do anything so risky"
Ethel explained the joke, hut her friends
shook their heads. How could Percy have
allowed it?
She sat subdued and dispiritcd for few
moments and rose to depart.
eyes, get back as quickly as you can,
you silly child, - said Mrs. Stuart
The return journey had lost its Zest, the
flavor had gone from the fun. Ethel, as
sho went swiftly along the quay, was more
alive than ever to the comments of the
passersby and the glanccs of other fish
girls Tho bright color in her checks had
given place to pallor-a longing to be safe
again 1T homo seized her. How far Off the
Grand rue was!
Absorbed iii herself, she had not noticed
q 1.-the, dark hrowcd young fisherman fol-
lowing her ut distance, sinister, jealous
CLEAN in his black eyes But us by de-
grces he came closer an instructive feeling
warned her Of his ncighborho0d He tried
TO see her face, but Ethel looked straight
before her. Turning Il corner, she came
face to face with Percy. y sigh Of relief
escaped her. She graspgd at his offered
arm. Before she could take it strong
hand pushed her aside, CLINT of steel
flashed in the sunlight, savage oath, and
knife was buried in Porcy's shoulder.
Ethel screamed. At tho sound the hot
blooded Gascon staggered back pale and
trembling. He stared mt her.
Antoine you FOOL shouted the by
ISLANDERS collected ut the fray, you have
killed the Englishman. The girl is his
sister. -
They carried the injured man to the
nearest surgeon.
Fortunately for Ethel's stricken con-
science the wound was not dangerous Dur
ing Percy's tedious convalcscence she was
a devoted nurse, but she never thinks e
that day without d shudder ut the possibls
consequences of that wOcful wager
Household Words.