The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-21
A WOEFUL WAGER.

"SiX pairs
"Long ones, ten buttons and suedes."
"You can choose for yourself. F"
"Done."
"Oh, you will back out"
"Ir' Indignantly. "No, indeed. Ihavo
been longing for 1t for days"
"All right, then, take the bet.
"Hello!' chimed in third voice from
tho other end of the room. "What are you
two up to nowf"
Tho girl laughed.
II thought you We're 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 tho 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 this?" he asked stern
ly, facing his younger brother and sister.
Ethel shrugged her shoulders.
"You arc always spoil sport, Percy"
sho said plaintively. SIT is as dull rs ditch
water with you stepping in to stop every
bit Of fun. Where's the harm in this? L
dare say, for all your long face and prig
gish manner, that you had plenty of larks
in your time.
Pcrcy's brows grew sterner.
tam to understand, Ethel, he said,
"that you purpose masqueradlng hero in -
foreign town.
Ethel nodded.
"Call it what you like" she said dog
gedly, II am going to dress up as fish
wife Tho costume is most becoming
Stan can withdraw his bet; shall do it
just the same.
II forbid you, Ethel
A defiant look answered him.
"We'll sec, she said saucily. "I'm off
to consult madame" And with glance
at Stanley she left the room.
How could you be so sonseless Stan
Icy" said his brother nngrily rs the door
closed. Now she will carry out this ridic-
ulous farce"
"Don't fly into q passion, Percy" re-
turned tho young fellow calmly. ~ had
no idea she was really in earnest.
Then as his senior paced the floor:
"After ALL it is nothing very dreadful"
'Whon does this mad performance take
place." asked Percy, stopping short.
Stanley shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, Ethel will settle that"
''Look here" said Percy grimly II
wash my hands Of you both, but depend
on you, Stanley, TO keep her out of any
scrapo this tomfoolery leads To-. "
GAN right, old follow, but you can BIO
easy. Ethel won't come to grief"
Miss Rivers in the meanwhile was closet
cd in padame's sanctnm behind the shop.
Tho Lepoirs were jewellers, but mother and
daughter would have found their income
prccarious enough without the money ac-
cruing from tho first and second floors,
now occupied by the Riecrses 1t was
policy. therefore, to DO obliging, so though
Nine Lenoir was shocked at tho proposed
escapado and inwartlly apostrophized the
English as "a mad lot, sho expressed
great interest.
II think can find mademoiselle tho
dress she requires" she said, all smiles
and smirks
"You dear woman" exclaimed Ethel,
delighted. How Wherci OF course it
must be new :"
Madame nodded.
"Loonic," addressing her daughter,
Josephine would lend hers, ch?'
"What?' cried Leone shrilly. "IIer
wedding dress-novorv'
Madame regarded Ethel.
"Mudcmuisello would be very careful CT
it, would she not:" she said
''Oh, yes, replied the young lady ca
gcrly. II only want it for I'm hour. But
will it fit mef"
Tho Frenchwolnan surveyed Ethel from
top to toe critically.
yes" she said "mndenoisclle il the
same height" Then with u win'; at
Lconic, How much will madcmolscllo
pay for the loan?'
"Thc cost is the least part" replied the
girl quickly. II leave that to you, dear
madame.
Madames arched eyebrows and hand
gesture said plainly, 1.-THE folly of these
people"' 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 JoYphinc when the bargain was
concluded.
Twill send about the costume at once"
she said aloud. And, Josephine, IL sho
consents, shall bring it to show mademoi-
sollo this evening, 1t Is all complete ex-
cept"-
Except what" interrupted Ethel ca
gerly as madame paused while Loonie
looked wondcringly at her mother.
"Tho long earrings replied the French,
woman suayoly. "Madomoiselle knows
they arc an essential part of the dress and
Josephine would not caro- to lend thom"-
But began Leonie.
A frown from madame cut her short.
" Mademoisolle must buy pair Of real
gold ones, suggested the shrewd trades
woman with Il triumphant glance at her
daughter. and, leading tho unrcsistng
Ethel into the shop, she showed her several
pairs of handsome earrings.
"1ou ninny," said madame to Lconie,
with reproving shake of the head, when
Ethel, having selected, ran of with her
treasures, ''you ninny, will you never
learn to open your mouth for the ripe
fruit to tumble in it?"
Tho Boulognaise fish girl proved. ready