The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-12-05

chair; ''see, everything fresh and
new"
"They 90 your Wedding things"
said Ethel, lingering the bodice.
The fish girl rcddened. /
"We are to bo married next week,
she said simply.
"Aud what will Antoine say to your
lending your incry?" broke in Leonle's
high treble voice.
Josephine's face clouaea.
"Hold your tongue" cried madame
to her daughter; "Antoine is not such
fool; he will think handful OF
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 raademoiselle it
would be the right size, exclaimed
Nine. Lenoir triumphantly-"eh.
Josephine?"
But Josephine kept her eyes on the
ground.
"rheir figures are exa city alike"
continued madame, noddi ng her head
in approval OF both supple, graceful
forms.
Ethel gathered up the rest of the
apparel in her arms.
"Stop moment, mann 'selle." said
Josephine, touching her. "Antoine
is strange; he may be vexed, as Mad.
emoiselle Leonie suggested just
now"
"You won't lend them?" Ethel's
voice YVES plaintiye.
Madame came to her rescue.
"you can't dlsappoint Mees Etel
after it has all been arranged" she
said to Josephine. "Antoine need not
know unless you arc so silly as TO tell
him, and the money will come in USE
full"
A smile crept around tho corners of
Josephine's lips.
"rake tho things, mam'selle," she
| cried; and Ethel, promising to return
them the following evening, slipped
away.
About II o'clock next morning o
tap at Stanley's door made him open
it. He stared for moment, then
uttered long drawn whistle.
swell, do I look nice?" demanded
his sister, gleefully.
"Capltall" and he laughed hear
thy.
''How did you manage it so soon?
But, Ethel" and his tone was serious,
"mind your p's ard as, don't look
sbout you"
| She nodded.
II shall go straight down tha
Grande Rue to the quay, pop in upon
the Stuarts, and back. again; while
am gone. Stan, you con buy the
gloves. Ar revoir!" And kissing he,
hand, she descended the stairs.
Percy, coming up, almost knocked
against her. He started at the gay
spparition. Thon he recognized
Ethel.
"Good heavens!" he groaned, bu
before he could soy more the bird ha(
| flown into madame's parlor.
Percy hcsitated q moment, ono
walked into Stan|ey's room.
"What's up?" asked the young
) fellow.
~ have just met Ethel in that ridic
ulous toggery," answered Percy irste
| ~. "You will please follow he- ont
{ see thai she does not getinto 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 possible insult to hi
=. madcap sister SO disturbed him tia
he resolved to go after her himself
= An unexpected call, however, detaine
i. him from putting his resolution int
Immediate action.
j In the parlor Ethel had been dull
admired and flattered.
s "But mademoiselle's hands will b
k tray her." said Nine. Lenlor. 'The
j. are far too white and delicate. Leoni'
fetch basket. There" as the desire
d article arrived. "mademoiselle ca
/, tuck them under her shawl round th
basket. So-that's better"
d Thus equipped, Ethel set of.
If "She is as like Josephine es tv
}. peas from behind, said madame, waite,
d lug the girl.
II ''If only Antoine does not cate
10 sight OF her!" murmured Leonie, wi
70 q frown.
4. Ethel threaded her way through Il
throng Of people usual at that hour
1T the day in the Grande Rue, and thou!
0. she looked neither to the right nor
it the left, she was aware OF the mai
It curious chances. smiles, and mods {
rected at her.
ell Her heart beat loudly, partly {
le element, partly fear of recognition
er being accosted. She gained {
Strorso' houao withnnt moloatatin