Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-29
JUDGE LONELL'S ADVENTURE

MISS" he SAID, addressing himself to the
pair OF glossy chestnut ears ahead. "and.
remember. an extra measure OF clover
grass tonight II you bring Up at The Wiz
lows before snndown."
The scisnd Of her masters voice. cou-
pied with 10 fair promise. for time in
spired Juno to renewed exertions. but
the long country road stretched like an
arid waste ahead, and before long her
efforts, which had been none OF the brav-
est. ceased altogether. and she relapsed
into her former easy gait. This fragrant
breach of good faith passed. as that ami
NAL had sagely calculated. all unnoticed
by her master. who. returning home. was
meditating upon the events Of the day.
and paid no further heed to Juno's slack
ened pace.
A voice, apparently at the judges ell
bow. recalled him. and he leaned forward
to see what was wanted. while the op-
portunity was not lost upon Juno. who
hnd already halted with cheerful alacrity
and now stood. dusty and perspirins
statue.
A woman stood by the roadside, long
linen cape completely envcloping her tg-
ure. while on her head was n bonnet Of
such size rs to have gone far toward con-
cealing her features had not that been
effectually done by thick veil. From
beneath this pnir Of sharp eyes scru-
tinized him as she inquired how far il
might be to Wilton. At his reply that 1t
was some two miles ahead she looked
meaningly nt the empty seat beside him.
you don't happen to be going that way
yourself and could accommodate a poor
woman with lift. eh?"
The judge hesitated. while he owned to
a feeling as disagreenble us IL was also
unaccountable. II was not an uncommon
request. however. and. ashamed OF his
seeming rudeness. he politely made way
for her beside him. II was then that he
understood the feeling that had intiuenc-
ed him. for as she stepped In his keen
eye detected that the foot which she
drew into the buggy was incased in the
stout leather boot of a man.
Though ordinarily most courageous. for
an instnnt he felt the blood turn cold 10
his veins as he realized his danger. What
was to be done. however? Juno had al
ready started on. and to frame an excuse
now would probably result only in arous.
ing the suspicious of his unwelcome
guest. Meanwhile she remained silent.
evidently not caring to engage in conver-
sation. while the judge made no effort to
do so. Occasionally he perceived her re-
garding him furtively from behind the
folds of her thick veil. n fact which did
not tend to allay his suspicious.
1t was certainly an unpleasant posi-
ton in which he found himself. Well
known throughout the section us a man
of wealth, he now for the first time
realized TO how many rogues this fact
might prove n temptation, and. although
that portion of the journey which they
were steadily approaching lay through
dense woods, he had never before calcu-
lated the danger which might arise. He
was totally unarmed. save for his driving
whip, which he carried more for the pur-
pose of Ticking flies from Juno's back
than for any more active service, and
which he now felt offered small chances
against the cold muZzle OF a revolver
which might at any moment be presented.
His grasp frightened on this. his only
weapon, as he saw the woods through
which they must pass growing nearer
and nearer. As yet no plan which had
presented itself had seemed entirely
feasible. but he realized that to delay
longer might prove fatal. SO he prepared
to carry out one which he could only
hope would rid him of so suspicious n
character. Should he fail, all further
attempts he knew would be useless, but
he determined to make noble stand
against the rascal, for he was of too
fiery disposition to yield tameless to his
insolent demands
With deliberate air he took from an
inner pocket notebook. which he pro-
ceeded to examine leisurely. A moment
later cry OF well feigned dismay es.
capped him as a leaf huttered from his
grasp and rested at some distance on the
road. Immediately bringing the carriage
to stnndstill. he turned face express
i've of great concern to his companion.
"Pardon me, madam. but will you be
kind enough to recover the paper for me?
It is of vital importance, assure you"
The woman hesitated and regarded
him with evident suspicion. He quietly
waited for her to comply, with no trace
of the uneasiness which he felt. As she
continued to hesitate. he turned and re-
pented his request.
1t was an anxious moment. while each
sought furtively to learn the others
mind. She hesitatcd to comply. yet to
refuse to do so meant only to Illustrate
her own designs, as they were not yet
within cover OF the woods, where an at
tack might be safe. The judge had con-
sidered this, and the spot was well cho.
sen. A moment more the woman hesitated,
while her eye Travelled eagerly to the
wood, but for an instant only. when she
began to descend carefully from the car
riage.
The judge watched her. with only care
full concern for his paper apparent in
Ills attitude, but scarcely had her feet
touched the ground when. with terrific
force. he laid the whip across the back
of the astonished Juno. Maddcned by
the blow. she sprang like rocket into
the air and then dashed wildly on, while
a volley Of oaths, followed by three pis-
tol shots in rapid succession. revealed
the fate which had awaited him.
Pursuit was impossible. for Juno held
to her pace until the stable door was
reached, and 1t is needless to say her fare
that niUhf xync raUnt -Pnctnn Dnct