The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-04-02
TWO QUEENS.

One rainy evening toward the close
of April, 1871, ponGerous old travel
ing coach toiled YEARLY up the hill, the
summit of which is crowned by he an
cient town of Jougne, on the road be
tween Ions les Saulniers and Basancon,
the capital of the province Of Franche'
Comtc. There were two women in the
vehicle; one, tail, handsome, and eX
ceeiingly elegant, occupied the seat
facing the h rses; the other, who sal
opposite to her, was young person OF
splightly countenanco, whose simple
costume and deferentiul manner an
nounced her at once to be either wait
ing maid or dame de compagne. 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 pos
tilion or look back down the road, ap'
parently to see whether any one were
following.
Notwithstanding the entreaties of the
ladies, aud his own best endeavors,
Maitre jacques, the position, failed
miserably in his attempts to induce his
two heavy Flemish horses to get into q
trot, let alone gallop. The road was
so bad, the rain SO binding, the ruts SO
many, the mud so deep, that the best
the poor beasts could do in response to
their masters oaths aud loud cracks OF
the whip was to give an occasional jerk
forward, or a stumble, and then resume
their wonted funeral pace.
"Heaven help me, Susanne This
dreadful journey will never end; we
cannot possibly reach Besancon to-
night" observed the lady who sat with
her face to the horses. " Mon Dleu
how | wish we were all over it and
safe
Madame is too nervous that gen
tleman on horseback we have seen at
the last three stations, and who las fol
lowed us, has frightened her. Believe
me, am sure he is no spy he IS toe
nice for that. | am persuaded that he
is only fascinated by madamo's charms,
and has not recognized her. Oh, he Is
no more sansculotte than / am.
cit matters very little what you think
about him l have my fears, and my
reasons for having them. Put youl
head out once more, and see If he Is
still in sight"
Susanne did as she was bid, aud pres
emily shutting down the window as quick
as she could to prevent the rain from
pouring in, gave her mistress the reas
suring news that not only had the OBJ
nozious stranger disappeared, but alst
that the gate Of Jougno was close at
hand. "And, madame, through break
in the clouds / saw the mountains o.
Switzerland; SO you see we are ap
proaching the frontier"
"That is we'll, We will stop for sup
per here at the Lion dor, and ther
hasten on to Besancon this very night,
said her mistress.
Tn few moments more the carriage
rumbled through the narrow streets o
Jougne, and presently stopped unde
the portc-cocherG of the hotel of th'
golden lion.
"Will the ladies get down ?" said TIN
jolly innkeeper as he stood with the hal
opened door in one hard ard his cap il
the other, bowing with extra civility t.
his two new guests, and delighted n
the prospect of their being detained al
night under his roof, for travellers ha'
become very raro in those troublet
times. "Will the ladies' get down
Supper will be ready at moments NO
tice."
Certainly, we want it at ONE, AM
let it be a good, substantial meal, for
can assure you, we are really hungry,
answered the tall lady, as she jumpe
ont, and, turning to the position, IL
quir, if it were possible to reach BeS
ancon before midnight.
Perfectly impossible, madame; tn
roads are in a shocking state. W
should only run the risk OF breakdow
half way"
"And that would be intolerablt
Alons Suslnnc, get down and brin
in with you all the shawls, pillows an
night-bags you can find, for, since W
must sleep here, we may as we'll max
ourselves at home"
Susanle, loaded with rugs and satcl
els, followed her mistress into the hOus
anu tne tWO UTuSeleTS eliltiEluS Iiou u
shade of the hall entered the brightly
illuminated dining room. A FIRE crackle
cheerfully on the hearth, and tho larg
apartment, with many little tables co
cred with snow-white cloths and 3hil
ing glass, looked quite cosy. The |
dies, taking off their wraps, seate
themselves by the fire, and present.
the landlady drew in front of them
table on which she placed two smokir
bowls OF broth.
The bright light of the fire threw j
cheerful glare on the couutenance
the tsll lady, aud showed her to po
sess such rare and stately beauty tn
the worthy landlady, on returning
the kitchen, proclaimed TO her safe
lites that she never before had secn
queeDly persnnage "Cest ,me uerit
bic refine (she is perfect uueen). I
warrant she's some fine court marcel
oness on fer way over the frontier
said she, "and, poor soul, would
the last to prevent her flight"
Indeed the lady justified these c