Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-10-02

said. iu a voice which resemOled that
of man who was being hanged:
THAT is the inn, my lady, frequent
ed by the poor men. "
Capital! Drive to the inn, coach
man, for we have no otner refuge foi
the night"
was in despair. For Heavens
sake. Countess, what are you going tc
do2 This is a notorious den Of thieves,
where we shall be assassinated the
hest is a confederate; many travellers
have already met their death. Only
lately ! read in the papers
The diaboicai creature interrupted
rae with a loud laugh.
''These are only old women's tales, ?
she said "who is afraid Of such i'm.
aginary bogeys If there were hotel
anywhere near we should OF course
drive to it. As it is, we must put ZIP
with the tavern.
SO saying, she told the coachman to
4 follow with the carriage; She meant to
advance on foot to ss9w him the way.
/ Remonstrances were useless; she
/ threatened 10 penetrate the cedrda
oalne if we would not accompany Ter.
/ The little countess would have done it,
too AS we approached the building,
strains of gypsy music became aud
/ ible.
stranger tested the Countess, eve
wanted to go to ball, and here we
have suddenly litupon one. How very
[ fortunatei'
With these words she walked up to
the door.
For moment ! reflected that il
would be wisest to leave her here and
to betake myself to the forest; but it
would not have been right to forsake
her, and, besides, had no choice, for
Madam0iselle Cesaoin3, the chapeFon,
had seized my arm. which She would
not relinqmsh. Poor creature, she
was half dead with fright, and shook
like an aspen leaf. at some distance
we could hear the wild shouts with
which those assembled in the tavern
accompanied their dance. Nothing
daunted by all this, the Countess
boldly opened the door and walked
in.
We entered q long low room stain
ed with smoke. Ia my first fright
fancied tha5 [ behuid at least fifty
bandits dancing and singing before
me. Subsequently, when / had
somewhat recovered myself, / count
ed them, and it appeared that they
amounted to nine ia all, including
the landlord and the three gypsies
who formed the band Five, how
ever, are plenty ] wished them all
ut Jericho. Five muscular, gigantic
fellows Their heads almost touched
the ceiling. Their pistols-each had
one--were lying in corner of the
room. l noticed them at the first
sight
F'Well, we shall be lucky # we
ever leave this den alive, said l to
myself
When the fellows saw us they
paused in their dance, and stared at
us with great, sparkling eyes Our
temerity astonished them. Ny little
countess advanced into the room, and
with a bewtchlng smile, addressed
them as follows
"Pray forgive us for having dis
turbed you in your entertainment; we
have lost our way, and as the dark
ness prevented us from driving any
further, we beg you to give us shelter
for the night. "
One of the five bandits advanced to
ward her Inc was the handsomest
and slimmest one of Ethem all. He
twirled the ends of his mustache,
took off his hat, ratified his spurs till
they rang again, and bowling low to
TO tine smiling countess, he said that
he did not feel the least disturbed by
/ her appearance, but was delighted at
the honor. He, Fekete Jofzi my
blood ran cold)- (Fekete Jof2i, the
notorious brigand of the davD was
paving the reckoning that evening,
and so as the host he took the liberty
of inquwing who it was he had the
honor to address. Before | could
make a sign to prevent her, the
/ countess reckiessly answered.
Countess Repy, residing in your
immediate neighborhood
81 have the good fortune to know
the name The old count once sent a
y DWlltl al tcF me, hut iiioStu his dlNis
Pray be seated, countess.
Here was a pleasant acquaintance.
The countess sat down on a bench.
He never asked me to sit down he
seemed utterly unconscious of my
presence.
"Where were you driving at such a
late hour" he inquired.
Don't tell him. Don't tell him e.
| telegraphcd with my eyes.
ITO Arad to the casino ball.
! CFareweH to your bali dress and
jewels" thought H.
Indeed It was a lucky chance
for us that brought you here. We
are giving ball, too, and if her lady
ship does not despise our invitation !
think | can promise her a delightful
evening. Our gypsies are excellent
musicians; they play esUdas which
make the blood coarse like fire through
ones veins Turning to the must
clans, he added Let us have your
song of The Beautiful Woman, and
mind how it is played -
Without another word the bare