Smyrna times., 1900-03-21
The Scarlet Domino
How a Wife Was Caught In Her
Own Trap.

8 <
The neglect to which the eggs and
bacon were being subjected was not
improving them. However, the two
persons who should have been engaged
in their consumption were in no mood
to pay much attention to such trivial
matters. The fact was, Mr.. and Mrs
Heriot were indulging in the, for them.
rare luxury of a disagreement, and as
a result the domestic atmosphere of
the pleasant Pont street breakfast
room was considerably strained
arthur. dear" she said cOaXingly.
"dOn't let us quarrel over such trife
any longer. I'm sure you can't be seri-
Gus in refusing to let me go with you
tonight. | should so enjoy dancing
with you in your beautiful scarlet
domino. Besides" she added, with
little touch of naivete, "a wife's place
is beside her husband. you know"
"Yes. my dear girl" answered the
other lightly. but not when his place
is at a Covert Garden fancy dress ball.
ANOs nOs llNNiN hOlAlLi III lAliS ihStHAiNS
your place is at home. a COvent Gar
den hop is no atmosphere for any pret-
ty woman under 10"
"Then why should you go, Arthur"
demanded Phyllis promptly.
why. because I'm a man, and"-
Mrs. Heriot smiled enigmatically to
herself as, a few minutes LATER she
watched her husband get into his han
som and drive off to his days work at
the law courts.
Although she kissed her hand to him
readily enough in answer to his part
ing salutatiOn. an expression of annoy
ance crept again into her face as soon
as she turned away from the window.
How absurdly easy it is to see
through menr' she reflected. "Of
course Arthur has an assignation to-
night with some horrid, scheming wo-
man. However, I'm not going to be
hoodwinked by his excuses, and SO
whether he likes it or nOt-I will go to
Covent Garden tonight and keep a
lookout for the scarlet domino"
When finally she entered the ball
room and mingled with the laughing
crowd of merrymakers she rather re-
peDted of her hastily formed resOlu
tion. She neither knew nor was known
by any of the throng of dancers around
her and consequently soon came to the
decision that the proceedings were no
very entertaining so far as she wa:
concerned. Then the anXiOusly expect
ed scarlet domino unaccOuntably faileC
her. and, although a glimpse of red il
the costume of some of the reveler
from time to time made her heart bea
faster. it. was. on investigation. al
ways to prove the property of a stran
ger.
At last, however. her eyes. straine
with watching. caught sight of a scar
let clad figure leaning against a pilla
a little distance from her. With lii
tie gasp of triumph Phyllis recognize
in it her husbands form. Now wa
the time. she reflected grimly. to ties
the truth of her theories respecting hi
allegiance to herself Accordingly sh
made her way through the intervenin
crowd until at last she stood close b'
side the form she sought. His bac
was turned toward her. however. an
consequently it became necessary
attract his attention. Quickly dividin
her viOlets, she thrust n bunch again
the mans mask and with light laug
stepped hastily back behind the pilla
Naturally she was promptly followe
and OBTAINING hand laid on her arm
You're an enterprising young lady
laughed the red robed individual ligh
ly, "and If you fail to make your wa
in the world it won't be because you
of too retiring a disposition. Howeve
1 like 'em your way best, | think, al
you and | will probably get along vel
we'll with one another"
"Are you sure you're not expectiI
any one with better claims upon you
your wife, for instance" demand
Phyllis archly.
"Oh, hang it all, my dear girl!' 1
turned the other. "You don't expect
fellow to bring his wife to a Cove
Garden ball. do you? Why, it's Ii
taking a ham sandwich to a mansi
house banquet"
NO" thought Mrs. Heriot to h'
self; you leave her behind in Pc
street" Aloud, however, she mere
remarked: II dare say you're not
wrong. Wives have a trying way
thinking themselves entitled to
whole of their husbands society"
The scarlet domino laughed good
moredly.
You're funny little woman" he
turned. "and ! wish you'd take yC
mask off for a moment. A face Il