Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-04
!. .'shkiT we not stand n

urops, he said ''shd1T we not stand Ia
the open door, where il is coolT'
Eyes, " she replied, "for a few mo.
ments II will be great relief.
They approached to the doorway and
stood looking down a short flight of
broad stone steps, which led to the side
walk. Beyond could be seen n solitary
carriage, with a dim light glimmering
from the drivers seat. The driver him
self had sought shelter from the rain
within the carriage
Mr.. Bashford 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 careless
ly forward, seemingly to inspect the
harness of one of the horses
Now was MIR. Bashford's time. He
suddenly seized his companion round
the waist, 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.
Mr.. Bashford held his fair prisoner
firmly down to the seat and admonish-
ed her in the harshest tones he could
command to remain silent
She covered down submissively, evil
IDENTIFY too terrified to speak, trembling
and painting violently.
"What is to be done with 1neP" she
summoned the courage to falter.
"Hush" he growled
Still the carriage ratified ON through
numerous streets and alleys, the driver
having been instructed to take long,
roundabout course.
Finally the driver gave loud cough.
This was signal. He had calculated
that the devious course they had taken
would so bewilder his wife that her
ideas of locality would be completely
confused. He wanted to impress her
with the belief that she was being car
ried to some den of unknown horrors.
"Here we are, " he growled. mot q
word from you, my beauty"
He rushed up the steps, carrying his
captive under one arm. Unlocking the
door with his night key, he rushed with
her into the house.
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 protruding with
horror-his wifel
He halted in dire astonishment and
dismay, still retaining his hold on the
Turkish lady, who had by this time
tainted.
"Louisep' he gasped.
But his wife only gave vent to
piercing shrek and retreated to the fur
thermost corner Of the room.
Don't you know me, Louise?"
"What does all this meanY" she said,
stepping forward cautiously. "Why are
you disguised so frightfully, and who
is this you have with your"
Mr.. Bashford's bewilderment was SC
great that he had entirely forgotten
that he was still supporting the Turkish
lady, and he now nearly dropped her.
Haven't you been to the masquer.
ade?" he demanded Of his wife.
"To the masquerade Certainly not.
"Then who is this?''
"That. How should / know? Why,
as I'm alive, it's-oh, Dio, what under
the sun have you been doings This 10
Emma Burchl'
And Mrs. Bashford bent over the
prostrate form and set herself about ap-
plying restoratives. They soon had their
effect. Miss Buroh sat upright and look
ed about her In confused manner.
Louise, is 1t you?" she exclaimed,
with glad look and almost fainting
again. "And am I really safe? Oh, hor-
rorsr'
She caught glimpse of the Indian.
"There, there, never mind him, said
Mrs. Bashford soothingly. TITS only
Dio.
"Dio, your husband, the one who kid
naped me? Oh, what does it all mean?"
Both ladies looked at Mr.. Bashford
inquiringly, who was now forced to ex.
plain everything.
He did it with very bad grace and
a good deal of stammering. When he
had concluded, his wife said:
"And so you thought the suit was
for me when only had it brought here
to accommodate Emma. The same
clothes fit us both, and had it fitted
to me because she wanted to be very So
cret about her costume Oh, Dio, to
think that you should have such little
trust in mep'
Mr.. Bashford had not a word to say.
He had for once in his life been fair
ly beaten, routed, ignominiously defeat
ed. Atlanta Constitution.