The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-07
THE LOST KEY.


portemonaie2"
Mr.. Walters brow contracted slightly
at the words, and he drew away the
hand which had been caressing his
Wife's pretty hair.
SIS that porte monaie lost again."
'Now, Phillip" said the little woman
with world of pretty penitence in the
heightened monosyl liable, don't sc0ld!
Upon my word it's the first time I've
mislaid it this whole morning"
Its too provoking, Jane, said the
husband, pushing back the books On the
table before him with a movement de-
noting intense irritation. "Wil you
never break yourself of this careless
habit, my loveg
Jane was silent, looking down like a
naughty child who had been chidden.
"You don't know what an annoyance
these needless habits are to a methodical
man like myself, DEAR" he added, in a
gentler tone, as the coral lip began to
tremble and the eyes to suffuse. do
try to be more thoughtful, for myself /!
Here is your treasure" he added, quiet
ly drawing tiny case of pearl and gold
from his pocket. 81 found it lying on
The stairs, and thought it a most excel
mt opportunity for giving my careless
little wife lessonp
Jane clapped her hands at the sight
of the restored treasure, and danced out
of the room in gir.ish glee.
"a perfect child" murmrred her
husband, looking after her with smile
and sigh blending unconsc;ously into
one another
"Well, if | don't make haste, | shall
be too late for that engagement in the
city. Let me see-the notes are in my
iron safe, believe. Nothing like lock
ing up things and keeping the keys
your elf If jane only followed my ex-
an pie
Mr.. Walter paused abruptly, seeking
in his various pockets, with nervous
haste, for something which seemed act
to be forthcoming.
Every strange" muttered he biting
his lips. II always put it in that waist
coat pocket. Possibly | may have laid
it on the table among these papers,
The aforesaid papers rustled hither
and thither, like animated nowflakes,
as Mr. Walter hurriedly. sought among
OA1hoO0 uhdoSCo1 OuG ~ " % fAAA
in vain.
Il can't have lost it, he explained in
perplexity. 'And every one of these
notes is locked up in the safe. with no
earthly chance of ever getting at it. But
am certain the key can't be lost
never lose anythingl 1t don't do to wait
many more minutes-J'll Just put on a
clean shirt and run down town. Hang
that COMPOUNDED key!"
Mr.. Walter fastened up to his dress
ing room to complete the details of his
toilet, ere he left the house; but his
trials were not yet destined to termin-
ate. He was methodical man, there
fore his wardrobe was carefully locked /;
he always kept things in one place,
therefore the keys were snugly reposing
in one corner of the inaccessible iron
safe.
He rushed frantically back to the
library, hoping family that the key
might be on the mantelpiece, where he
had not yet searched. No, it was not
there, but treacherous ink-stand was,
the contents of which, by one unlucky
sweep of the elbow, descended an ebon
cataract over his shirt front-the shirt
front upon which alone he had depend
ed!
"Well, here is catastrophep he
murmured, gloomily, stanching the inky
flow with his pocket handkerchief.
However, / can button my coat over
for the present. Let me see-there is,
that money, Ipromised Smithson to-day
and
He stopped short, cold dew of dis
may breaking out on his forehead-the
money-drawer was q fixture of the
wretched iron safel
Penniless and shirtless, what more
desperate state of affairs could his worst
enemy desire for him There was lower
deep yet, however-woald he not be
eharacterless likewise if his wife, by any
inopportune chance, should discover
that he, the model and rule of order,
had lost his key! So thought Mr..
WeIter, as he went eff to day of per-
plexities and modification in the city.
tIf ever tease Jane again about los
ing things he muttered inwardly, as
he entered the room on returning home,
Il hope to be drowned with q hundred
weight of keys about my neck It's GER
tainly q judgment upon meD
He unbutt0ned his coat as he spoke, |
forgetful of the ink stains of the mern-
ing. Jane uttered a faint scream and
shrank back, exclaiming, my dear
Phillip, what is the matter with your
Shirt,
1.-THE matterm Ohln said he coloring
split little ink over it this morning. |
It don't signify much"
do let me get you another, dearp'
No, nc" said he, eagerly detaining |
her; it isn't at all worth while. Do sit
1own and be easy, my lovel"
But jane started away to carry her /
baby up to the nursery. just as she
reached the door something iingled soft
, In the pocket Of her little silk apron
she stopped in the passage.
Oh, by the way, Phillip, here Is the
Iey to your iron safe. / found it on the
lining table this afternoon: and
he added, with an arch sparkle il her
ioguish eyes, 81 thought il would be
u excellent opportunity for giving my
husband a lessonl r
She laid the key in his hand and ran
ut of the room, as be recoiled inv0lun-
arily from the sound of his own pedan-
ic words. As he contemplated the
leanling wards OF the little steel mis-
hiel-maker, in mingled delight and
notification, the echo Of James merry
lughter on the stairs reached his ears
lie chime of silver bells.
He laughed, too-he couldn't help
i
Hrs. Jane Walter was 4 discreet little
smxle. She never alluded to the sub.
sct Of keys again, and her husband US
ever after known to rsproach her for