Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-04

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instantly closed again.
Mr.. Bashford's curiosity and suspi
cion were aroused. Should he linger and
solve the mystery or dismiss it from
his mind and go on about his business?
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. The 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 establish
ment
Mr. Bashford was astonished Could
1t be that bis wife was venturesome
enough to disobey him and had hired a
costume with view of attending the
masquerade
He did not linger long in meditation.
we're rebuke.
The proprietor was a woman. He ao-
costed her thus:
Madam, would you object to making
$6 in as many minutesP''
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. -
i L
"that wouldn't be exactly regular. yoa
know"
"I understand that, but can prove
to you if necessary that have right
to know, and that no harm can possibly
come to you. by your telling me-"
"Oh, well," said the woman, II pre-
sumo 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 Mr.. Bashford.
''The one that the young woman left at
81 - street has scarlet hood, has
it?"
"Yes, sir.
Every we'll. Here are your S..
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 demeanor:
"As told you would probably be the
case, Louise, shall be detained down
town by business tonight until late. "
"Oh, dear, am sorry 1t is SO lone
some these long evenings when you are
obliged to be away"
The business" which was to detain
him was of q somewhat startling char
acter. After spending a short time ut
his Office he proceeded to a costumer's
establishment and placed himself in the
hands of an artist, who, after long
and tedious process, transformed him
into hideous looking Indian.
This done, he ordered carriage and
gave directions to be driven to the place
where the masquerade was to be held.
Mr.. Bashford seemed to create quite
a sensation in his character of Indian,
chief. Many stared at him, and some of
the women shuddered.
He did not dance at first, but walked
with stately tread around the hall, gaz-
ing disdainfully on the giddy throng.
He was searching for Turkish lady
with scarlet hood.
1t was some time before he found what
he sought for. But at last he stopped
suddenly, and his gaze fingered IN a
particular quarter There was the Turk
ish lady with the scarlet hood, and her
Eize and general contour were exactly
those of his wife. There could be no
mistake about it.
"Pooty squaw," he said in a guttur-
al tone.
''Noble Injunp' she replied.
"Squaw dances?'
Eyes"
And they took their places ON the
floor for one of the quadrilles.
After this ensued what appeared to
lockers on a scene Of desperate fiirta-
ton, but In Mr.. Bashford's mind there
was, of course, no harm In thus paying
exclusive attention to his own wife,
though a pang shot through his breast
at the thought of her accepting such
marked demonstrations from one who
to all intents and purposes was stran'
ger.
However, the game must be played.
and he played it.
Thus an hour passed very pleasantly,
be had TO confess to himself. for his
wife-if IL were she-was unwontedly
witty, vivaoious and entertaining
But all Of a sudden the Turkish lady
deserted him and joined Roman sena-
tor on the other side Of the room. She
eonversed with him in low tone, dano-
ed set with him and afterward ex-
changed some private words In an ap-
parently very confidential manner.
This fairly maddened Mr.. Bashford
with jealousy. Finally he got chance
TO speak to her again
''Squaw must not leave heE brave"
he murmured
Bat oQly laughed tantalizingly.
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