Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-21

) ter it has all been arranged she said
/ to Josephine. Antoine need not
know unless YOU are so silly as to
| tell him, and the money will come in
useful"
! 4 smile crept round the corners Of
iJosephine's lips.
! Take the things. madamoiseIle., -
she cried, and Ethel, promis ng to re-
turn them the following evening,
slipped away.
About II o'clock next morning a tap
at StanIey's door made him open it..
He stared for a moment, then uttered
a long drawn whistle.
well, do I look nice?" demanded
his sister, gleefully.
"CapitaI." and he laughed heartily.
How did you manage it so soon?
But Ethel" and his tone was serious.
mind your p's and Q's. Don't look
about you"
She nodded.
4 shall go straight down the Grand
Rue to the quay, pop in upon the
Stuarts and back again. While | am
gone, Stan, you can buy the gloves.
Au revoir!" and kissing her hand she
! descended the stairs.
Percy, coming up, almost knocked
/ against her. He started at the gay
apparition. Then he recognized Ethel.
Good heavens he groaned, but
before he could say more the bird had
flown into madame's parlor.
Percy hesitated a moment and
walked into Stanley's room.
What's up?" asked the young fell
low.
Il have just met Ethel in that ri
diculous toggery," answered Percy,
irately. you will please follow her
and see that she does not go into
mischief, do you hear?"
But Percy, returning to his study.
could not settle himself at his work.
Ethel had neither father nor mother.
Ii lie control as he possessed over
her, he was still the responsible
party. The thought of possible IN
suit to his madcap sister so disturbed
him that he resolved to go after her
himself. An unexpected call. how
ever, detained him from putting his
resolution into immediate action.
In the parlor Ethel had been duly
admired and fattered.
"But mademoiselle's hands viii be-
tray her." said Nine. Lenoir. "They
are far too white and delicate. Leo
ME, fetch basket. There" as the
desired article arrived, ''mademoiselle
can tuck them under her shawl round
the basket So; that's better"
Thus equipped, Ethel set off.
"She is as like Josephine as two
peas" said madam, watching the girl.
'If only Antoine does not catch
sight of her." murmured Leonie. 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 chances, smiles and
mods directed at her.
Her heart beat loudly-partly ex-
element partly fear Of recognition Or
being accosted. She gained the
Stuart's house without molestation.
Husband and wife were just sitting
down to the noon breakfast when a
grinning maid ushered in Ethel.
"Ethel!" screamed Mrs. Stuart
"What mad freak is this?"
The captain who had not penetrat-
ed the disguise as quickly as his wife.
now looked grave,
MY dear young lady" he said,
how could you do anything so
risky?"
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.
Absorbed in herself, she had not no.
ticed 1.-THE, dark proved young fish
erman following her at a distance, a
, JtdiOu0 III uIS UIdCh
eyes. But as by degrees he came
closer an instructive feeling warned
her of his neighborhood. He tried to
see her face, but Ethel looked straight
before her. Turning corner, she
came face to face with Percy. A sigh
of relief escaped her. She grasped at
his offered arm. Before she could
take it a strong hand pushed her
aside, CLINT of steel flashed in the
sunlight, a savage oath, and a knife
was buried in Percy's shoulder. Ethel
screamed. At the sound the hot
blooded Gascon staggered back pale
and trembling. He stared at her.
Antoine, you fool shouted the by
ISLANDERS collected at the fray, you
have killed the Englishman. The girl
is his sister"
Fortunately for Ethel's stricken
conscience the wound was not danger
| Gus. During Percy's tedious GONZALES
cence she was a devoted nurse, but
she never thinks of that day without
a shudder at the possible conse-
quences of that woeful wager.