Connecticut western news., 1895-04-25
JEALOUS.


 MT. D. Bashford cherished high ideas of men, as opposed to women, and had exalted notions of the husband 8 domin- ion over his household.
 MT. Bashford had forbidden his wife attending the masquerade of the A. z. A. society. He had his reasons for SC doing, but his wife thought he might have made known his wishes in little less imperious ma lner than he chose tc adopt -.
 The ball was set down for the evening of the 29th. On the morning of that day Mir. Bashford went down town at the usual hour, but during the forenoon had occasion to visit section of the city that led him past his own residence.
 His attention was suddenly arrested by young woman with large bundle, ascending the front steps of his house and ringing the doorbell.
 His perplexity was increased when the door was opened cautiously, the young woman admitted promptly, as if by previous understanding, and the dooi instantly closed again.
 Mir. Bashford's curiosity and suspi- cion were aroused. Should he finger and solve the mystery or dismiss it from his mind and go on about his businessi He debated the question irresolutely for moment and finally decided that he must know what was going on in his own house.
 He had not long to wait. Tho young woman soon reappeared, but without the bundle, and walked briskly down the street.
 She led him to one of the busiest and gayest streets and finally turned quick ly into celebrated costumer's s establish mentl
 MT. Bashford was astonished. Could it be that bis wife was venturesome enough to disobey him and had hired a costume with view of attending the masquerade?
 He did not finger long in meditation. His wife's audacity must receive a se- were rebuke. ..
 The proprietor was a woman. He &C., oosted her thus:
 Madam, would you object to making $5 in as many minutesr'
 The person addressed intimating that she would have no objection to that sort of thing, he continued:
 ''Then describe to me accurately the costume delivered by the young woman who entered this store moment ago or else show me one just like it. ''
 Well" said the woman, hesitating, "that wouldn't be exactly regular, you know"
 ''I understand that, but can prove to you if necessary that l have right to know, and that no harm can possibly come to you by your telling me"
 ''Oh, well" said the woman, II pre- sume it will be all right! The costume was that of Turkish lady. Here is one just like it, except that the hood is blue instead of scarlet ''
 ''Yes-just so,' said MT. Bashford. '"The one that the young woman left at 54 - street has 8 scarlet hood, has it?''
 "Yes, sir
 'Very we'll. Here are your $5."
 He made no allusion when he went home to his o'clock dinner to the cir cumstances just related. He simply said to his wife before leaving, wondering the while at her innocent and uncon- strained deneanor: ''As I told you would probably be the case, Louise, 1 shall be detained down town by business tonight until late. " ''Oh, dear, am sorryi It is so lone- some these long evenings when you are obliged to be away" The business" which was to detain him was of a somewhat startling char acter. After spending a short time al his office he proceeded to costumer's establishment and placed himself in the hands of an artist, who, after long and tedious process, transformed him into hideous looking Indian. Thisdone, he ordered 8 carriage anc | gave directions to be driven to the place | where the masquerade was to be held. Mr. Bashford seemed to create quite \ sensation in his character of Indian chief. Many stared at him, and some o the women shuddered. He did not dance at first, but walked with stately tread around the hall, gag ing disdainfully on the giddy throng He was searching for Turkish lad. with scarlet hood. It was some time before he found wha he sought for. But at last he stopped suddenly, and his gaze fingered in particular quarter. There was the Turk ish lady with the scarlet hood, and he size and general contour were exactl, those of his wife. There could be n mistake about it.
 I "Pooty squaw," he said in guttur al tone.
 "Noble Injunr' she replied.
 "Squaw dances?'
 | "Yes."
 And they took their places on tn floor for one of the quadrilles.
 After this ensued what appeared t lockers on a scene of desperate f1irta tion, but in Mir. Bashford's mind ther was, of course, no harm in thus payin exclusive attention to his own wife though pang shot through his breas at the thought of her accepting sue marked demonstrations from one wh to all intents and purposes was a stran ger.
 However, the game must be played and he played it.
 Thus an hour passed very pleasantly he had to confess to himself, for bi
 wife-if it were she-was unwonted
 witty. vivaoious and entertaining
 But all of sudden the Turkish laf
 deserted him and joined a Roman sen
 tor on the other side of the room. Sl !: conversed with him in a low tone, dan
 ed set with him and afterward e changed some private words in an a
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