Middletown transcript., 1892-01-28
THE JUDGES FILTRATION.
TConcl,sded from first page.

$50 on, dear, tell it all only don't
draw on your imagination too much,
said his laughing wife.
"D Did I say before that we had tht
coach to ourselves by this time ? The
other passengers had been dropped al
intervals along the road. The ole
gentleman was sleeping peacefully
Charley had scarcely spoken for ar
hour, and I was awaiting in an agony
of dread the minute when the driver
would shout the fatal word. l suppose
the wretched creature did right to an
ticipate our arrival at Newburgh with
a yell loud enough to wake the dead
rousing papa to an upright position
and a knowledge of his whereabouts.
"Come, Annie,' he said, with
yawn. Here we are, and with this
horrible river to cross again. Have
you every thing ready, dear p
"'I shall have in one moment she
said, as the coach stopped, giving my
hand a closer clasp before withdrawing
it forever.
Mr.. Gardiner expressed himself with
great friendliness, sent kind messages to
father. hoped we might meet again,
shook hands, and stepped down into
the deep snow.
So In one moment, papa" she re-
peated. And then, in a lower tone,
that he might not hear her, Pardon
the, Mr.. Cooper, but if you and your
friend ale through with my muff, 1
shall have to trouble you for it. 1
hope you have both found it comforta-
BILE. Thank you. No apologies beg.
You were quite welcome to it. A
pleasant journey. Goodnight And
she took her fathers offered hand lie
would not allow US to leave the coach
to assist him-and left us both stunned.
Even now, after all these years, |
cannot recall this, even when alone,
without blushing and burning with
shame. Think of us two boobes Sit
ting there for three mortal hours
each others hands wasn't
so much to blame, for Charley's hands,
as I've told you, were small and deli
cate as a woman'S. But think Of his
pressing such hand as that, and SUP
posing it belonged 10 pretty Annie
Gardiner 1 had a mind to cuff him
hen and there for the insult to her,
but it was too abominably ridiculous
for anything but a laugh and laugh
We did, though there was more noise
han mirth in it. Wejumped over the
seats and pounded the cushions like a
couple of lunatics trying to emphasize
,ur shouts.
"Charley's explanation and excuse
vas that noticing his pretty neighbor
zept only one hand in her muff, and
desiring to make some tender demon
tration before parting, he thought it
wouldn't be amiss to capture and hold
t, and was surprised when the indig-
liant little hand was Withdrawn. Be-
ore he could follow suit it seems
hat I was seized with The same desire,
md he thought she had relented. Do
'ou see !?
Sand there sat sweet Annie Gardi-
Ter behind her muff, her own hands
lalf frozen, enjoying in advance our
oming discontinue, J ut looking like
prim little saint in whose heart no
bought of mischief ever entered.
at was very queer; but without
K xacting promise from each other,
ont think either Of the victims ever
old the story, though the temptation |
, do so was very great. But perhaps
ou don't think it was queer? There,
octor, do you call that a Irritation |
md have I paid my forfeit? If so,
Irs. Cooper will be kind enough to
ontinue the entertainment, and give
5 her ideas of the Missing Link
hich, I am delighted to know, is her
lbject. Louis and | have done our
art"
"But tell US, judge, did you never
q the pretty girl again =? and what
scame Of Charley?' queried the pro.
oser Of the game.
"My dear, l am glad to have inter-
ted you enough to have you care to
now. Charley is at this time right
'verend father in the Church, and
ell has he earned his promotion.
nd as for Annie, I think she must
ave gone down to see after our little
'ening supper. Suppose we follow
sr?
"Ah, judge said the girl, "but
RS. tCooper's name was not Annie
ardner at all. Alice told me only
is morning that her mothers maid
! name was Mary Robinson ; so you
ay have cheated US about all the
st of it too"
mo, my dear child, every word
Sc is true. But I did try the subter-
ge familiar to my craft. and pro-
ded my wife with an alias. I!
uld not give you in advance she
ly point in my poor little story.
ut let's 90 down to supper. It is