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

ley.
Percy Rivers threw his paper on the
ground, rose and crossed tho room.
"What nonsense is this" he asked stern
", facing his younger brother and sister.
Ethel shrugged her shoulders.
"You are always u spoil sport, Percy"
she said plaintively. sit is as dull as ditch
water with you stepping in to stop every
bit of fun. Where's the harm in this? 1
dare say, for all your long face and prig-
gish manner that you had plenty of larks
il your time"
Percy's brows grew sterner.
cam l to understand, Ethel" he said,
"that you purpose masquerading here in Il
foreign town.
Ethel nodded.
''Call it what you like" she said dog
eedly, II am going to dress up as Il fish
wife. The costume is most becoming.
San can withdraw his bet: 1 shall do it
just the same. -
II forbid you, Ethel. "
A defiant look answered him.
"We'u Sec she said sauciIy. "I'm off
to consult madame" And with glance
at Stanley she left the room.
"How could you be so senseless, Stan
Ioy?" said his brother angrily as the door
closed. "Now she will carry out this ride
ulous farce"
Don't fly into passion, Percy" re-
termed tho young follow calmly. Il had
DO idea she was really in earnest"
Then as his senior paced the floor
After all, it is nothing very dreadful. !"
"When does this mad performance take
place." asked Percy, stopping short
Stanley shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, Ethel will settle that
look here said Percy grimly, 81
wash my hands of you both, but depend
on you, Stanley to keep her out of any
scrape this tomfoolery leads to-
IAN right, old fellow, but you can be
easy. Ethel won't come to grief"
Miss Rivers in the meanwhile was closet
ed in mailames sanctmm behind the shop.
The Lenoirs were jewelers. but mother and
daughter would have found their income
precarious enough without the money ac-
cruing from tho first and second floors,
now occupied by the Riverses 1t was
policy, therefore, to be obliging, so though
Mne. Lenoir was shocked mt the proposed
escapade and inwardly apostrophized the
English rs "a mad lot" she expressed
great interest.
Il think / can find mademoiselle the
dress sho requires" she said, all smiles
and smirks.
you dear woman" exclaimed Ethel,
delighted. How: Where? OF course it
must be new"
Madame nodded.
''Leonie," addressing her daughter,
Josephine would lend hers, eh?''
WHAT" cried Lconie shriIly. "Her
wedding dress-neverr'
Madame regarded Ethel.
"AIademoiselle would be very careful Of
it, would she not?" she said.
'Oh, yes,' replied the young lady ca
gerly. Il only want it for an hour. But
will it fit me.''
The Frenchwoman surveyed Ethel from
top TO toe critically.
YES" she said, 'mademoiselle is the
Same height" Then with wink at
Leonie, How much will mademoiselle
pay for the loan?'
THE cost is the least part, replied the
girl quickly. Il leave that to you, dear
madame. -
Madame's arched eyebrows and hand
gesture said plainly, THE folly Of these
peoplcp' and she instantly resolved to take
advantage of the said folly to do stroke
of business on her own account independ-
emily of the commission she intended to
charge Josephine when the bargain was
concluded
Twill send about the costume at once, Z"
she said aloud. "And, Josephine, if she
consents, shall bring it to show mademoi-
selle this evening 1t is all complete ex-
cept''-
Except what" interrupted Ethel ca
gerly as madame paused while Leonie
looked wonderingly ut her mother
"Tho long earrings, replied the French
woman suayely. "Mademoiselle knows
they are an essential part of the dress and
Josephine would not care to lend them
"But''- began Leonie.
A frown from madame cut her short.
"Mademoiselle must buy pair of real
gold ones, suggested the shrewd trades
woman, with triumphant glance at her
daughter, and, leading the unrcsisting
Ethel into the shop, she showed her several
pairs of handsome earrings.
you ninny," said madame to Leonic,
with n reproving shake of the head, when
Ethel, having selected, ran off with her
treasures, you ninny, will you never
learn TO open your mouth for the ripe
4ruit to tumble in it2''
The Boulognaise fish girl proved ready
TO obiige the English lady, and Ethel was
summoned down stairs that evening.
"This is Josephine, Mees Etel," said
madame by way of introduction, pointing
toa young girl in stiff brimmeC white cap
and scarlet petticoat
1T is very good of you to lend me your
dress, " said Ethel, with smile.
Josephine began untying u brown paper
parcel
''See, mademoiselle, y she said proudly
placing ei4ch article over chair; "see, ev-
erything fresh and new"
"They are your wedding things" said
Ethel, lingering the bodice.
The fish girl Redeemed.
ave are to be married next week." she
said simply.
And what will Antoine say to your
lending your 1nery?" broke in Leonies
high treble voice
Josephine's face clouded.
"Hold your tongue, 3" cried madame to
her daughter. 'AnUone is not such
fool. He will think a handful of francs
payment enough"
Josephine looked from one to the other
hesitatingly, but Ethel, unheeding the
dispute, slipped on the petticoat.
Ibid L not tell mademoselIe it would
be the right SIZE" exclaimed Nine. Lenoir
bFluIH pIldHlll Ell, JOSCpnlHes
But Jospehine kept her eyes on the
ground.
Their figures are exactly alike, " contin-
ues madame, nodding her head in OPP
Irbval at both supple, graceful forms.
Ethel gathered up tho rest of the apparel
in her arms.
"Stop n moment, mademoiselle, " said
Josephine, touching her. ''Antoine is
strange. He may be vexed, as Mile. Leonie
suggested just now"
you won't lend them?' Ethel's voice
waS plaintive.
.iadame came to her rescue.
you can't disappoint Mees Etel after it
has all been arranged, she said to Joseph
inc. "Antoine need not know unless you
will come in useful
A smile crept round the corners of Jose
phine's lips.
"Take tho things, mademoiselle," she
cried, and Ethel, promising to retdrn them
the following evening, slipped away.
AbOut1l o'clock next morning q tap at
Stanley's door made him open it. He
stared for moment, then uttered long
drawn whistle.
well, do L look nice?" demanded his
sister gleefully.
"Capitalr' and he laughed heartily.
GLOW did you manage it so soon? But,
Ethel, " and his tone was serious, "mind
your p's and as. Don't lodkeabout you"
She nodded,