, 1874-02-21
A QUEENS ADVENTURE.


road between Lons~les-Saulniers and Bessncou,
the capital OF the Province of Franche-Com
There we're two women in the vehicle; ono, tall,
handsome, and exceedingly elegant, occupied the
seat facing the horses; the other, who sat op-
poaite to her. was young person OF spslghtly
countenance, whose simple costume and deferen-
tial manner at once announced her to be either a
waiting maid or dame de compagnie. From
tmo to time one or the other OF tho two travellers
would thrust her head out OF the carriage window
to urge on tho position or look back down tue
road, apparently to SEQ
WHETHER ASY ONE WERE FOLLOWING.
Notwithstanding the entreaties Of the ladies',
ard his Own best ondeavorB, Maitre Jacques, the
position, failed miserably iD his attempts to in
duce his two heavy Flemish horses to get into
trot, let alone gnllop. Tho road was 80 bad,
the rain SO binding, the ruts 40 many, tho mud
30 deep, that the best tho poor beasts could do
in response to their masters o2ths and loud
cracks Of the whip was to give n occasional
Jerk forward or stumble, and then resume their
wooted funereal pace.
"Heaven help us, 8usanne! This dreadful
journey will never end VIC cannot possibly
reach Dcsancon tonight observed the lady who
sat with her face to tho horses. '' Mon Diem !!
how wish Wo we're we'll over it and safo !"
Madame is too nervous that gentleman on
horseback VIC have acou ut the last throe sta
tions, and who has followed us, has frightened
her. Believe me, am sure he is no spy; be is too
nice-looking for that. nm persuaded he is
only fascinated by madame's ch.r1ns, and has
not recognized her. Oh, he is no moro sans
cuotte than I am"
at matters very little what you think about
him: havo my fears. aud my reasonB for having
| them. Put your lead out once more, and see If
| he be still in sight"
| shutting down the window as quick aA sha could.
| to prevent the rain from pouring in, gave her
| mistress the reassurlng news that not only had
| the obnoxious stranger disappeared, but also
| that
TIE GATES OF JoToSE
we're close at hand; "And, madame through 3
| break in the clouds saw tho mountains Of
Switzerland, 80 you see We are approaching the
| frontier"
| 1T the Lion d'Or, aud then hasten on to Besau-
con this very night. said her uaihtresa.
| In few moments more the carriage rumbled
| through the narrow streets OF Jougne. and pres
| ently stopped under the porte-coc|ere Of the
| hotel Of the Golden Lion.
"Wiu the Ladies got down p said the Jolly inn
keeper as he stood with the half-opened car
| 1iage-dQot in ono hand and his cap in tie other,
bowing with extra civ1Ity to his two new guests,
aud delighted ut the prospect OF their being de-
tanned all night under his roof for travellers had
I become very rare in those troubled times. s.Wul
| tho ladies' get down? Supper will be ready at q
| moments notice."
| Certainly, We want It at once, and lot it be a
good, substantial meal, for, can assure you. We
she jumped out, aud, turning to the position,
| inquired il it were possible to reach Besancon
before midnight.
| PERFECTLY IMPOSSIBLE, MADAME;
the roads arc IN SHOCKING state. We should
ouly run the risk OF breakdown half way"
"And that wonld bo intoIerable. Al
Ions! susanne, get down md btiug in
with you all tho shaS1s, pillows, and
! night-bags you can find, for, since ne
must sleep here, We may as well make ourselves
at homo"
susauue, loaded with rugs and Batchels, fol-
lowed her mistress into the house, and the two
travellers, emerging from the shade OF the hall,
entered tho bTightlyil1umiuated dining-zoon.
! A fire cracked cheeriIy on the heartb, and the
large apartment, with its many little tables Gov
| cred with Snow -Hhite cloths and shining glass;
| looked quite cosy. The ladies', taking off theil
! wraps, seated themselves by the fire, and pres.
| emily the landlady drew in front OF them table
On which she placed two smoking bowls OF az
! ccilent broth.
Tho bright light Of the FIRE threw ITS cheerful
| cla1e on the co,lutenance Of the tall lady, and
! showed her to possess such rare and stately
| beauty that the worthy landlady, on returning to
| tho h1LCQeQ, pICClaluiEu ~ u6l e3telIltGS iAhs
she never before had eeen@go queely parsonage.
I I. C'est ,t5e rerifa6Lc refine
/ {suE's 4 PERFECT QUEES),
I'll warrant shos some fno court Marchioness on
| her way over the frontier" said she and,
poor soul! l would bo tho last to prevent her
| hight"
indeed, tho lady justified these en-
coniums. Her figure was graceful and
| commanding, her features regular, her
| eyes bright and vivacious. Her hair, in, which
| nfu nsrfa r. oh
| up over her ample forehead, whilst one heavy
| curl hung down on her shoulder. Her complex
ion was 8ingularly brilliant, and, varying con-
stantly on the least emotion gave the lie to those
| OF her enemies who declared she used pant. The
only defect that could be possibly found with
| this otherwise perfect face was that the lower
| lip, slightly too thick, p1otruded little beyond
| tho upper one, as is frequently observed in por-
| traits Of tho Bovereigns OF
| THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA.
Her costume was simple, consisting Of q gray
| petticoat and Powered chlutz oyersklrt, made
| IN the fashion recently 80 popular and styled
| .. Dolly Warden" Her attendant, whom she
| called Susanue, was pretty and unpretend1nSs
Young WOMAN belonging to tho vlFacloub class
Of French serving maids immortalizod by Holiere
| and Deaumarchnls soubTeAcs.
| The two travellers had scarcely tasted their
| first spoonful OF soup when the doors OF the
apartment were thrown open, and 5o'.ctlonndire
Of the provisionary Government, wearing Lis trl-
coiorei scarf, entered. strlding up to the table
Ut which tho two ladies' were seated, ho drew
from his pocket letter, and fixing his eyes
with avid interest on the tall lady, made =
mental comparison between her countenance
and that OF some ono described in the document
he held in his hand.
.swuAr Is TOUR NAME c1ToYESyE?
asked he suddenly in q touo Of authority.
"May first ask, sir. who it is I shall have
| bad the honor Of answering when do give my
name ?" returned the lady, who, although sue
had become exceedingly pale, retained her self
possession in q remarkable manner for it was
no joke for woman OF position to fan into the
hands Of fonctionndires in those days-
II am tho Mayor of Jougne-"
In that case, u. 1e 3faire.
/ IAN MADAME DE PRIME"
"Haye you no papers about you-no pass
port?" ~
q Mon Dieu! Yes-no; that is, Of course
have, but in my trunk" answered the lady.
We are only going to Besancon- This is my
| maid Susanne We are two women travelling on
business. have an engagement At Besancon
and really, a. le Maro had no idea t. tl,9t Tt pass,
:. You said that you had one in your boz
Very well, Madame dc Pryne, allow me to zee