The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02
THE UNWILLING GUEST

n E U ~ w lkLANG dO Eo .
 The old baron did TO, require much pressing, but soon began hIs story: think, my friends, you have all heard of the Countess Repey-ihe younger of oourse-the bewi,ching little spri,e. my little black-eyed princess. You must all know her. suspect you have all lost your hearts to her, as have done, yet |, insignificant as l am, have been most favored. drove in the same carriage with her for whole night. True. there was a chaperone present, but l will not have my good luck disparsged. Bu, may the devil fly away with such good luck,
 One evening in an evil hour i, occurred to her that her presence was indispen- sable a: ball which was to take place al Arzd on the following night. She im- mediately ordered her carriage. Twas the only person near al hand. "Please, dear baron," she cried, escort me to Arad."
 Dear baron, dear baron..' Wha. an- swer could give her?
 Countess, ma deesse, Il IS dark as Erebus the carriage will be upset; we have to cross three rivers-it will be a wonder if even two have safe bridges. We shall be drowned, countess our road lies through fores. of vast extent, lonely as the grave and infested with thieves and murderers. We shall be assassin ated; could uot protect you alone Besides, why should we hurry SO. Let US have an early cup of tea and set out in the morning we shall reach Arad by noon and you will have the whole after noon for your toilet. L., us start to- morrow, countess"
 My representations were futile-she would start instanter. You know how obstinate she is. She said she did not wish to postpone everything till the las, moment, she wished to recover from the fatigue of the journey" How can step straight out of the carriage into the ballroom after being heated, jol,ed, crushed and tumbled by the drive !.
 And besides, she has a mania for driv- ing at night-it IS "so lovely, SO TO- mantle; the stars, the frogs, the moon- beams" These were all pretexts-she was determined to satisfy her whirn at any cost.
 Enfn, what should l do: accompany her or stay alone in the castle? sweet alternative. choose the former course in her gratitude she allowed me the privilege of sitting opposite he. ;a .he carriage.
 The truth will out it was devihsh pleasant was almost oppressed with marks of the countess favor. First she Aa~ e.<v kA | muff, then her traveling-bag, lastly pair of goloshes. Next she fell asleep-deaf to all conversation she slumbered soundly; occasionally when the carriage lolled over a stone she would wake with start: "Where is the traveling-bag :. Where is the muff: Are you sure you are not sitting on the bonnes-box: For heavens sake take care. dear baron :" Then she fell asleep again then the chaperone, who was suffering from migrane, began querulous conversation, whimpering piteously the while. Iclosed my eyes, feigning sleep. Suddenly the carriage stopped and began to keel over on one side, as if it also was about to seek repose.
 The coachman jumped of the box and came to the window.
 "l am almost afraid, your ladyship, that we have lost our way"
 What matters ?" answered the count ess does not the road lie before us Drive on, of course"
 There is 2 road, my iAdy, but where does it lead !?
 "lt must lead somewhere
 |" But am afraid it will lead us 10 a place mt altogether safe."
 "What fool you are. Every place is safe-where are we now *
 "In the forest of Sxalonta.r
 Well, the forest ends somewhere. If l remember right it only takes two hours to drive through it either way
 But the coachmap is afraid" l ven- tured.
 Is he paid for being afraid v
 {" He is afraid, dear countess, that something disaereeable may happen to you"
 That is no affair of his"
 -Or that the horses-
 Well, thas's his look-out-"
 That theze are some poor devils in this fosess vho try to gel their living by-"
 Follyi lsnt oar coarhman . poor desil himss1fF
 .YA yo; bat he .maans these poor men vke are in the Aabit q relieving one of hogse, asd noe unffequently sf . caTEiaGe, seo. Ceunaess, mA deesse, if is 10 jeke; they mighs seal the hosses, take CT lives, og evon woSse. fl ] oal5 had my revolva vith me.."
 So that you might have it stolen, too," jested the taiT 6end. Thereupcn