The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02


 into the darkness. ~Oh. what lovely night. How fragrant the forest is. H0w the glos-worms sparkle. Look al them, dear baron -
 Look: What am to look at? It is piteh-dark. cannot see anything"
 Nothing: Is not ths; light gieam- ing under the trees yondes ?
 Ny blood curdled. We ~ere close to the robbers den. The coach,nan had also deserted the light: he now said, in a voice which resembled that of aman who was being hanged:
 That is the inn, my lady, frequensed by the poor men
 Capital, Drive to the inn, coach- man, for we have no other refuge for the night"
 was in despair. " For heavens sake, countess, what are you going 10 do: This shall all be assassinated: the host is . confederate. many travellers have al- ready met their death. Only lately I read in the papers"
 The diaboiical creature interrupted me with loud laugh.
 These are only old women's tales" she said :. who is afraid of such im- aginary bogeys: Ii there were hotel anywhere near we should. oi course drive to it. As 1t is we must put up with the tavefn.'
 So saying, she told the coachman to follow her slowly with the carriage: she meant to advance on foot to show him the way. Remonstranoes were useless ell h& skva Al tp kA 4a alone if we would not accompany her. The little countess would have done II, too As we approached the building strains of gypsy music became audible.
 "St.angew ies,ed the countess, i've wanted to go to a ball and here we have suddenly Ii, upon one. How very for tunate..s
 With these words she walked ap 10. the door.
 For a momen, reflected ,ha, i. would be wisest to leave her here. and 10 be- take myself to the forest but II would not have been right to forsake her. and besides, had no choice, for Mile. Gesarine, the chaperon. had seized my arm, which she would not relinquish. 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 the dance Nothing daunted by all this, the countess boldly opened the door and walked in.
 We entered a long low room. stained with smoke. In my first irigh, fancied that beheld at least fifty bandits dapcing and singing before me. Subsequently, when had somewhat recovered myself, I counted them, and it appeared iha, they amounted to nine in all, including the landlord and the three gypsies who formed the band. Five. however. are plenty! l wished them all at Jericho. Five muscular, gigantic fellows. Their heads almost touched the ceiling. Their pistols-each had one-were lying n the corner of the room. noticed them at the first sight. |" Well, we shall be lucky if we ever leave this den alive" thought 1.
 When the felloxs saw us they paused in their dance and stared al us with great sparkling eyes. Our temerity astonished them. My little countess advanced into the room and with bewitching smile addressed them as follows:
 
 you in your entertainment we have lost our way, and as the darkness prevented us from driving any further, we beg you to give us shelter for the night"
 One of the five bandits advanced to- wards her-he was the handsomess and slimmest of them all. He twirled the ends of his mustache, took of his hat, ratiled his spurs till they rang az ain and, lowing low to the smiling countess, he said that he did not feel the least dis turbed by her appearance. but was de- lighted at the honor. He, Fekete Jofxi (my blood ran cold d-Fekete Jofzi, the notorious brigand of the day }, was pay ing the reckoning that evening and so as hnst he took the liberty of inquiring who i, was he had the honor to address. Re- fore could make sign to prevent her the Countess recklessly answered:
 Countess Repey, residing in your im- mediate neighborhood."
 II have the good fortune to know the name. The old count once sent bullet after me, but missed his aim. Pray be seated, countess"
 Here was a pleasant acquaintance The countess sat down on bench. Fe- ke,e seated himself beside her. He never asked me to sit down he seemed utterly unconscious of my presence.
 Where were you driving at such a late hour p he inquired.
 Don't tell him." telegrap cd her with my eyes.
 To Arad, to the Casino ball- G Fare well to your ball dress and jewels '" though, l..
 lndeed." Ii was lucky chance for us that brought you here. We are giv- ing ball here too, and if her ladyship does not despise our invitation, think can promise her a delightful evening. Our gypsies are excellent musicians they play acardas which make the blood course like fire through one's veins" Turning :e the musicians, he added : !" Let us have your song of The Beauti- ful Woman and mind how it is played"
 Withou, another word the barefaced <~iin- ns s<r~ as tha rnr1<sr hawan