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


Is.,,N "You can choose
\{W> for yourself"
A\/N ooh, you will back
out"
"I!" Indignantly. "No, indeed; l
have been longing for it for days"
"Al], right, then, take the bet"
"Halloa!" chimed il third voice
from the other end of the room, "what
are you two up to now?"
The girl laughed.
81 thought you were too deep in
politics to be listening" she snid,
"but if You want to know Stanley has
Just bet me six to one"
"That she won't walk down the
Grand Ruc at MONDAY in the fisher
girl costume she admires 50 much, "
interrupted Stanley.
Percy Rivers threw bis paper on the
ground, rose, and crossed the room.
"What nonsense is tbis?" he asked
sternly, facing his younger brother
and sister.
Ethel shrugged her shoulders.
"You are always a spoil sport, Per-
cy," she said plaintiyely; cit is as dull
as ditch water with you stepping in to
stop every bit of fun. Where's the
harm IN this? I dare say, for oil
your long face and prjggish manner,
that you had plenty OF larks in your
time"
~, Percy's brow grew sterner.
sam I to understand, Ethel" hi
eaid, "thet you purpose masquer
aiding here in foreign town."
Ethel nodded.
"Call it what you like" she sait
doggedly. II am going to dress up q
a fshwife; the costume is most becom
ing. Stan can withdraw bis bet;
shall do it just the same"
II forbid you, Ethel."
| A defiant look answered him.
"We'll see," she said saucily.' ''1'n
of to consult madame" And with
glance at Stanley she left the room.
"How could you be SO senselesa
Stanley?' said his brother angrily a
the door closed. CHOW she will carr
out this ridiculous farce"
"Don't fly into passion, Percy,
returned the Young fellow calmly
II had no idea she was really i
earnest"
"Look here" said Percy grimly, {"
wash my hands OF you both, but I de
pend on you, Stanley, to keep her on
of any scrape this tomfoolery lead
to-"
"All right, old fellow, but you ca
be easy. Ethel won't come to grief.
Miss Rivers, in the meanwhile, W
closeted in madame's sanctum benin
the shop. The Lenoirs were jeweler
but mother and daughter would hay
found their income precarious eno7a
without the money accruing from Il
first and second floors, now occupie
by the Riverses. 1t was policy, ther
fore, to be obliging, SO though Nm
Lenoir was shocked at the propose
escnpade, and inwardly apostrophize
the English as "a mad lot" she e.
pressed great interest.
II think I can find mademoisel
the dress she requ ires," she said, c
smiles and smlrks.
} "You dear woman !" exclaimed Eth
. delighted. Chow? Where?
course, it must be new"
Madame nodded.
"Leonie," addressing her daughte
: Josephine would lend hers, p"
"What? "cried Leone sbrill
'Her wedding dress-never"
Madame regarded Ethel.
"Mademoiselle would be very car
, full OF it, would she not?" she said.
, ooh, yes,"' replied the young lat
eagerly. II only want it for an hou
But will it fit me?' ..
The French woman surveyed EtE
Q from top to toe critically.
. eyes," she said, "maaemoiselle
1 the same height" Then with a vii
at Leonie: elbow much will mac
+. moselle pay for the loan?"
"The cost is the least part" repli
r the girl quickly. 81 leave that to yc
a dear madame"
. Madame's arched eyebrows and he
gesture said plainly: "Fhe folly
" these people!" and she instantly
q solved to take advantage Of the So
It folly to do stroke of business on /
# own account. independent of
. "commission" she intended to cha1
' Josephine when the bargain was c.
u cluded.
n II will send about the costume
If once,' she said aloud. "And,
in sephine, if she consents. shall bring
- to show mademoiselle this evening.
q is all complete except"
10 "Except what?" interrupted Et
q. eagerly, as madame paused, wi
10 Leonie looked wonderingly at