Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-12-06
'Grsst many. sqnaw danss :.

A19E 4ok c19 o. kne QuaoT1AiH4.
After this ensued what appeared to
lookers-0n a scene Of desperate fiirta-
ton: bat il Mr.. Bashfords ! mind there
was q eonrse no harm in thus paving
exclusive attention to his own wife.
though . pang shot through his breast
ct the thought Of her accepting such
marked demonstration from one who
q all intenta and purposes was =
stranger.
However, the game must be played,
and be played il
he prolessed to be in frenzy Of
curiosity to see the face and know the
name of his fair partner; but she did
not betray her Identity by word o.
sign. He was at heart glad of this,
for it spoke well for her discretion.
Thus an hour passed very pleasant
ly. be had to confess TO himself, for
his wife-if it were she-was unwon-
tediy witty, vivacious and entertain
ing.
But of a sudden the Turkish lady
deserted him, and joined Roman
senator on the other side Of the room.
She conyersed with him in low tone,
danced set with him, and afterward
exchanged some private words in an
apparently very confidential manner.
This fairly maddened Mr.. Bashford
with jealousy. He hovered in her
neighborhood, walked about with
slow, measured tramp, and gazed to-
ward her reproachfully.
Finally he got chance to speak to
her again.
'Squaw must not leave her brave"
he muImured.
But she only laughed tantalizing
ly.
Shall we walk in the outer hall p
he said. 1T is hot and close in this
crowd"
She nodded in assent and took his
arm. and they left the heated restless
throng.
II think / hear the patterlng of
rain drops" he said. Shall we not
stand in the open door, where 1T is
coolY
Yes, she replied, for a few mo-
ments. 1t will be great relief.
They. approached the doorway,
and stood looking down a short fight
of broad stone steps. which led to the
sidewalk. Beyond could be seen
solitary carriage, with a dim light
glimmering from the drivers seat.
The driver himself had sought shelter
from the rain within the carriage.
Mr.. Basford looked cautiously
around. No one was in sight. He
then coughed in a peculiar manner.
The driver instantly emerged, leaving
the carriage door open, and walked
carelessly forward, seemingly to in
spect the harness of one of the horses.
Now was Mr.. Bashford's time. He
suddenly seized his companion around
the waste, thrust his hand under her
mask and pressed it over her mouth,
and ran with her to the carriage.
Scream and you will be murdered
he muttered in her ear.
He then forced her in the carriage,
stepping in after her.
T.,
sprang to his seat, and whipped the
horses into a run.
Mr. Bashford held his fair prisoner
firmly down TO the seat, and admon-
ishe1 her in the harshest tones he
could command TO remain silent.
She covered down submissively,
evidently too terrified to speak, trem.
bling and painting violently.
He growled and chattered at her
with the utmost ferocity, his object
being to give her such lesson as
would make an indehble impression
on her mind.
What is to be done with me?' she
summoned the courage to falter.
'Hushl' he growled. You will be
strung up and quartered if you make
a noise.
Still the carriage ratified on, through
numerous streetsand alleys, the driver
having been instructed to take long,
roundabout course.
The Turkish lady was so thorough
ly quelled that little or no urging
was needed to keep her quiet.
Finally the driver gave a loud
cough. This was q signal to Mr..
Bashford that they were approaching
his house. He had calculated that
the devious course they had taken
would so bewilde- his wife that her
ideas of locality would be completely
confused. He wanted to impress her
with the belief that she was being
carried to some den Of unknown hor-
rors.
Here we are,' he growled. Where's
Black Tom2 Keep the blood hounds
quiet Not a word from you, my
beautyr
He rushed up the steps, carrying
his captive under one arm. Unlock
ing the door with his night-key, he
rushed with her into the house. He
had thrown a cloak over her head.
that she might be deceived up TO the
last moment.
He now stood in the hall. Throw
ing the outside door shut, he rushed
into the sitting room.
a loud scream greeted his arrival.
The gas was burning brightly, and in
the middle of the room stood-her
arms thrown up and her eyes protrud-
ing with horrcr-h5s Wsfe.
He halted, in dire astonishnaent
and dismay still retaining has hold
on the Turkish lady, who had by this