Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-03-17

10, dear, am very sorry, Dio. 1t is so lone
some these long evenings when you are obllge
to be away.
~ guess you will manage to console youl
self somehow, during my absence" was tb
reply.
The busines which was to det ain him was
somewhat startling character.
After Spending short time at his of1ice, b
proceeded to costumers establishment, an
placed himself In the hands of an artist, who
after long and tedious proce, $, trsnsforme
him into big, stately, hideous looking Inial
chief
, This done lie ordered carriage and gave di
rections to be driven to Banquet Hall, the plac
where the masquerade of the A. z. A. Societ,
was to be held. On arriving at his destination
he held a long consultation with the driver, civ
Ing him some minute directions and green
] back.
Then, with chuckle, he entered the guy
and brilliant ballroom, where the festivities bat
already commenced. The music was peallne
forth from the orchestra, aid hundreds of
grotesque figures were mingling in the dance
MIR. Bashford seemed to create quite a sen
sation in his character of Indian chief. Many
stared at him, and some of the women shudder
ed.
He did not dance at first, but walked will
steady tread around the hall, gazing disdain
fully on the numerous tlirong. His motives
for this line of conduct may be easily guessed
az.
Me was looking for his wife. He was search
ing for Turkish lady.
1t was some time before he found what he
sought for. But at last he stopped suddenly
and his gaze fingered in particular quart err.
His heart beat high with exultation. There
was the Turkish lady with the scarlet hood, her
size and contour were exactly those of his wife
There could be no mistake about it. 1t was the
Only costume of the kind in the room. He ap-
preached her boldly, with no fear of being re-
cognized. He halted in front Of her.
"Pooty squaw!" he said in low, gutteral
tone.
She looked at him, and her eyes flashed mer-
rily out from the small orifices of her mask.
Noble lnjinp" she replied.
"Squaw come from far eastern land ?" said
he.
"Yes," was the reply. "Noble brave take
many scalps."
"Great many. squaw danceP"
ayes"
And they took their places on the floor for
quadri lie.
After this ensued what appeared to the look
ers-on q scene of desperate fiirtation; but in
Mr.. Bashfords mind there was no harm in this
paying exclusive attention to his own wife,
though pang shot through his breast at the
thought other accepting such marked demon
stratiols from one who to all intents and pur-
poses was stranger.
However, the game must be played, and he
played 1t.
He professed to be In a frenzy Of curisosity to
see the face and know the name of his fair
partner, but she did not betray her identity by
word or sign. lie was at heart glad Of this, for
IL spoke well for her discretion.
Thus an hour passed very pleasantly, he had
% confess suddenly to himself, for his wife-if
L were she--was lnwontedly Witty, vlvacious
and entertaining.
But all ofa sudden this Turkish lady, desert
ID him, and joineda Roman Senator on the
other side of the room. She conversed with
him in low tone, danced set with him, aud
ut terwards exchanged some private words in an
apparently very confidential manner.
This fairly maddcned Mr.. Bashford with
ealousy. He hoveied in her neighborho2d,
walked about with slow, measured tramp, and
,azed towar-s her reproachtully.
Finally hU got a chance to speak 10 her again.
"Squaw, must not.leave her brave," he mur-
nured.
But she only laughed tantalizingIy at him.
"Shall we walk in the outer hall ?" ho said
1T is so warm and close in this crowd"
She nodded in ascent and took his arm, and
hey left the heated restless throng.
81 think hear the pattering of rain drops"
lie said "Shall we not stand in the open door,
where it is cool?"
"Yes," she replied, "for few moments. 1t
will be great relief"
They approached the doorway, and stood
ooking down a short flight of broad stone
teps, which led to the sidewalk. Beyond could
% seen solitary carriage, with dim light
,iimmering from the drivers seat. The driver
himself had taken shelter from the rain in the
,airiage.
AIR. Bashford looked cautiously around. No
,ne was in sight. He then coughed in pecu-
lar manner The driver instantly emerged,
eaving the carriage door open, and walked
.arlessly forward, seemingly to inspect the har-
ness Of one of the horses.
Now was Mr.. Bashford's time. He sudden
y seized her around the waist, thrust his hand
Under her mask and over her mouth, and ran
with her to the carriage.
"Scream and you will be murdered" }" he whis-
pered in her ear.
He then forced her In the carriage, stepping
In after her.
The driver slammed the door shut, sprang to
bis seat, and whipped the horses into a run
MIR. Bashford held his fair prisoner firmly
down TO the seat, and adomished her in the
harshet tones he could command to remain
silent.
She covered down submissively, evidently
100 terrified To speak trembling and painting
violently.
He growled and chartered at her with the
utmost ferocity, his object being to give her
such lesson as would make an indoabe i'm
preston OH her mind.
"dush " he growled. You will he strung
up and qlmrtered if you make noise"
Still the carriage ratified on, through numer-
GUS streets and alleys, the driver having been
instructed to take roundabout course.
The Turkish lady was so throughly quelleI
mat little or no urging was needed to keep her
Iuiet
Finally the driver gave loud cough. This
was signal to Bashford that they were approcll-
Ing his house. lie had calculated that the de-
Pious course they had taken would so bewilder
lis wifi, that her ideas of locality would be com.
,letely confused. lie wanted to impress her
with the belief that she was being carried to
'one den OF unknown horrors.
'Iere we are, lie growled. "Wherc is black
Tom? Keep the blood-bounds quiet Not a
word from you, my beauty"
lie rushed up the steps carrying his captiye |
inder one arm. Unlocking the door with his !
light-key, he rushed with her into the house. |
He had thrown a cloak over her head, that she |
night be deceived up to the last moment.
lie now stood in the hall. Throwing the
outside door shut, he rushed into the sitting !
Dom.
n loud scream greeted his arrival. The gas
vas burning brightly, and in the middle of the |
oom stood-her arms thrown up and eyes pro-
ruding with horror--his wife
He halted, in dire astonishment and dismay;
till retaining his hold on the Turkish lady who
lad by this time tainted.
"Louise !" he gasped.
But his wife only gave vent TO a piercing |
hriek, and retreated to the furthermost corner !
# the room.
"Lauise,' ho calculated appealing, ais that |
oup"
"Oh you nonster:" screamed Louise. "Who |
re youp What do you want here ?"
"Don't you know me, Louise?"
"Lrave you william! II you don't III rouse |
be neighborhood. My husband will be here
n momentw