Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-05
A QUEENS ADVENTURE.
BY r. DAYEY.

One rainy evening toward the close o.
April, 1891, ponderous old travelling
coach toiled YEARLY up the hill the sum
NIT of which rs crowned by the ancient
town of Jougne, on the road between
LOnsles- SauIsiers and Besancon, the cap
ital of the province Of Franche-COmte
There were two women in the vehicle
one, tall, handsome and exceedingly ele
giant, occupied the seat facing the horses
the other, who sat opposite to her, was q
young person of sprightly countenance
whose simple costume and deferential
manner at once announced her to be
either a waiting maid or a dame de com
pdgnie From time to time one or the
other of the two travellers would thrust
her head out of the carriage window to
urge on the position or look back down
the road, apparently to see whether any
one were following. Notwithstanding
the entreaties of the ladies and his OWL
best endeav0rs, Maitre Jacques, the pos
tilion, failed miserably in his attempts tC
induce his two heavy Flemish horses
even to get into trot, let alone a gallOp
The road was so bad, the rain so binding
the ruts so many, the mud so deep, that
the best the poor horses could do in re
spouse to their masters Oaths and loud
cracks Of the whip was to give all OCca
sional jerk forward or a stumble, and
then resume their wonted funereal pace.
Heaven help US, Susanna! This
dreadful journey will never end: we can.
not possibly reach Besancon tonight"
observed the lady who sat with her face
to the horses. Mon Dieu! how | wish
we were well over it and safer'
MADAME is too nervous: that gentle
man on horseback we have seen at the
last three stations, and who has followed
US, has frightened her. Believe me. am
sure he is no spy: he is too nice-look-
ing for that [ am persuaded he is
only fascinated by madame's charms and
has not recognized her. Oh, he is no
more sans cUlatte than am
cit matters very little what you think
about him; | have my fears, and my
reasons for having them. Put your head
out once more and see if he be still in
sight"
Susanna did as she was bid, and pres
emily shutting down the window as quick
rs she could to prevent the rain from
pouring in, gave her mistress the reasur
ing news that pot only had the obnoxious
stranger disappeared, but also that the
gates of Jougne were close at hand
"And, madame, through a break in the
clouds | saw the mountains of Switzer
land, so you see we are approaching the
frontier
That is well We will stop for sup
per here at the Lion dor, and then has
ten on to Besancon this very night said
her mistress.
In few moments more the carriage
rumbled through the narrow streets OF
Jougne, and presently stopped under the
p0rt6-c0cherc of the hotel of the Colder
Lion.
"Will the ladies get DOWN., said the
Jolly innkeeper as he stood with the half.
opened carriage-door in one hand and his
cap in the other, bowling with extra civil
ity to his two new guests, and delighted
at the prospect of their being detained al
night under his roof, for travellers had be
come very rare in those troubled times
ssWill the ladies get down? Supper will
be ready at moments notice.
Certainly, we want it at once, and lie
It be a good, substantial meal, for, [ car
assure you we are really hungry" on
swered the tall lady as she jumped out
and turning to the position inquired if i
were possible to reach Besancon before
midnight
Perfectly impossible, madame: tn,
roads are in shocking state. We shouI(
only run the risk of a breakdown half
way"
GAnd that would be intolerable. Al
zonst Susanna, get down and bring il
with Won all the shawls, pillows ant
night.bags you can find, for, since W
must sleep here, we may as well max
ourselves at home"
Susanna, loaded with rugs and satchels
followed her mistress into the house, ant
the two travellers, emerging from tn
shade of the hall, entered the brightly
unminated dining-room. A fire cracked
;heeriIy on the hearth, and the larg
apartment, with its many little table
,overed with snow-white cloths and shin
ag glass, looked quite coy. The ladies
.aRing off their wraps. seated themselve
by the fire, and presently the landladl
1rew in front of them a table on WhleI