Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-05-09
RhOda's Prisoner.
BY RoSALIE GRAY.

.
Il start tomorrow for Belleville."
said Rhoda Clare to her aunt. upon
whom she was making farewell call.
.Are you going alone, child:' in
quired her relative.
YES" was the reply. Papa can
not leave his business just now, to go
with me, but he will put me on the
cars and my friends. who are already
in Beleville, wis meet me at the depot.
Il don't think it is safe" continued
the old lady. Just think. if YOU
should be robbed. as | was, on that very
road. last summer"
How was that:" asked Rhoda.
well !" replied her companion, 1--WE
were Just approaching the tunnel. when
agentlemanly looking young man wear
ing spectacles, came up to me and in
quired, Is this seat engaged, madam:
No. L replied. and he Immediately ap-
propriated it. He was disposed to be
rather chatty. and was quite interest
ing: but he left at the first station we
reached. After we had passed through
the tunnel, and when ! put my hand
in my pocket, found that my pocket
book had left with HIM"
1.-The strange young man had proved
too fascinating for YOU" laughed
Rhoda. Il defy any obe to rob me so
easily" Having just passed through
the graduating course at school, and
come off with flying colOrs, she felt
equipped for any emergency which
might present itself in the battle of life.
Don't be too sure" replied her
aunt: and beware Of any gentlemanly
looking yOung man in spectacies, who
wishes TO share your seat in the ears"
Rhoda set forth with bright antici-
pations of a pleasant summer. Her
ticket was bought, her trunk checked,
and she was established in seat, all to
herself, with an interesting book in
her hand. and her lunch in satchel
beside her.
The whistle blew, and papa, giving
her a hurried kiss, bade her goodbye;
and. for the first time in her life, she
was travelling alone. For while she
watched the scenery, a the train
whirled her rapidly along. Then she
devoted herself 10 her book; but finally
becoming tired of both, she yawned and
wished for company, and even fancied
that her aunt's fascinating young rob
Der would be a rath agreeable diver
sion.
Il should like 10 see him get my
pockst-book, thought Rhoda. If his
hand were once in my pocket he would
not escape 80 easily without an intro
duction to the police" And she closed
her own little palm tightly, as though
she already had the prize within her
grasp.
While these thoughts were passing
through the young lady's mind. the
ears stopped, and several passengers
came on board. Rhoda was conscious
of a shadow falling near, and looking
up, she beheld vision which mantled
her cheeks with a deep blush; tall
and rather elegant looking young man,
with dark whiskers, and wearing spec
tacles. was respectfully touching his
hat, and inquiring,
SIS this seat engaged, Miss:' And
then he added, apologetically, ''All the
others seem to be occupied
Answers the description exactly"
soliloquized the young detective Now
Aunt Ann shall be revenged; L will
give him the opportunity TO pick my
pocket. if he desires it. Perhaps he
NAV not enjoy ii so much in the end ~
Then she added, aloud, putting on
look of stearness which set comically
upon her childlike face, ''Th5 seat Is at
your service, sir" and she proceeded to
remove her satchel.
"Allow me- said the stranger, and
he elevated it to the bracket above.
Rhoda kept her eye upon her prop
erty, although expecting to see 1t and
her companion disappear together.
He prefers pOcket-books," was her
mental comment; III be on my
guard
In spite of herself, our heroine be-
came interested i'm the conversation of
he stranger. He was so perfectly ac-
quainted with the road and pointed out
all the objects of interests, telling
amusing anecdotes connected with
them.
''But | must not forget that he is a
villain" was her mental reservation, as
she listened.-"AuntA Ann, said that he
was entertaining. How funny" she
continued, addressing her self, THAT
should meet the same person. But then
| suppose, he frequents this road.
Finally. they entered the tunnel.
| scarcely wonder" remarked the
strange young man in spectacles, lat
the mistake of tne old lady who, hav-
lur tlll'ltN the iuIntl iOI the llG>l liult
in her life, and having never heard of
it, supposed the Day of Judgment had
come"
'.He is trying to divert my attention"
thought Rhoda. perhaps he imagines
that | I'm young chit of a schoolgirl
who can be easily imposed upon, but
he NAV find himself mistaken"
just then she felt slight tug at her
linen polonaise, and Immediately thrust
ing her hand into the pocket, imprisoned
a masculine hand, which she grasped
tightly.
..Now | can triumph over Aunt Ann
thought Rhoda, IF | am not aceus-
toned to travelling alone"
They emerged from the tunnel, and
what was the chagrin of the young
lady to discover that she was imprison-
ing her companions hand in the pocket
of his own linen duster.
'.Oh, IL beg your pardon.' ~ stam-
mered Rhoda, feeling very much like
the culprit for whom she had mistaken
the stranger.
You are very eXcusable," he re-
piled, gazing in wonder at her blush
ing eountenance, while his face seemed
TO be an Interrogation point.
Rhoda felt that, in justification TO
herself, some explanation was neces-
sary, but with fresh sense of mortifi-
cation, she remembered that the only