The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-01-23
JUDGE LOVELL'S ADVENTURE

Judge Lowell chirruped cheerfully and
frightened the reins over Juno's back.
"Pick up your heels faster than this,
miss" he said, addressing himself to the
pair of glossy chestnut ears ahead, land,
remember, an extra r.easure of clover
grass tonight if you bring up at The Will
lows before sundown."
The sound of her masters voice, cou-
pied with so 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 flagrant
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.
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
had already halted with cheerful alacrity
and now stood, a dusty and perspiring
statue.
A woman stood by the roadside, long
linen cape completely enveloping her tg-
ure, while on her head was a bonnet of
such size as to have gone far toward con-
cealing her features had not that been
effectually done by a thick veil. From
beneath this pair of sharp eyes scru-
tinized him as she inquired how far it
might be to Wilton. At his reply that it
| was some two miles ahead she looked
! meaningly at 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 disagreeable as it was also
| unaccounta BILE. 1t was not an uncommon
| request, however, and, ashamed of his
seeming rudeness. he politely made way
| for her beside him. 1t was then that he
understood the feeling that had infuenc-
| 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 instant he felt the blood turn cold in
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 CONVEX
| 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, a fact which did
not tend to allay his suspicious.
1t was certainly an unpleasant posi-
ton in which he found himself. We'll
known throughout the section as a man
| of wealth, he now for the first time
realized TO how many rogues this fact
| might prove a 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 ficking 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 tightened on this. his only
weapon, as he saw the woods through
which they must pass growing nearer
and nearer. As yet no plan which hac
presented itself had seemed entirely
feasible, but he realized that to delay
l
to carry out one which he could only
hope would rid him of so suspicious &
character Should he fail, all further
| attempts he knew would be useless, bu
he determined to make noble stanC
| against the rascal, for he was of toe
fiery disposition to yield tameless to his
insolent demands.
| With q deliberate air he took from al
| inner pocket a notebook, which he pro
| ceeded to examine leisurely. A mOmen
later cry of we'll feigned dismay es
capped him as a leaf fiuttered from hi'
grasp and rested at some distance on tn,
road. Immediately bringing the carriag,
to standstill, he turned a face express
i've of great concern to his companion.
Pardon me, madam, but will you b.
kind enough to recover the paper for me
1t is of vital Importance, l assure you."
The woman hesitated and regarded
him with evident suspicion. He quietl.
waited for her to comply, with no trace
of the uneasiness which he felt. As sh,
continued to hesitate, he turned and re
peated his request.
1t was an anxious moment, while eacl
sought furtiyely to learn the other
mind. She hestated to comply, yet t.
refuse to do so meant only to frustrat,
] ucE OWN uCSlSAS, DIS IuGy were uOL
within cover of the woods, where an {
tack might be safe. The judge had cen
sidered this, and the spot was well cho
sen. A moment more the woman hesitated
while her eye travelled eagerly to tn
wood, but for an instant only, when sh
began to descend carefully from the car
riage.
The judge watched her, with only care
full concern for his paper apparent il
his attitude, but scarcely had her fee
touched the ground when, with terrif
force. he laid the whip across the bacl
of the astonished Juno. Maddened b.
the blow, she sprapg like a rocket int
the air and then dashed wildly on. Will
volley of oaths, followed by three pis
toll shots in rapid succession, revealed
the fate which had awaited him.
Pursuit was impossible. for Juno he'll
to her pace until the stable door wa
reached, and it is needless to say her far
that night was regal.-Boston Post.
| One of Those Dress Pockets.
| She was Ouita n we'll dressed uOma,