The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-07
A BUNCH OF KEYS.


Lost-On Thursday evening, probably in Church
lane, a bunch Of keys. Whoever will bring the
same to Willow cottage, Marchlands, shall receive
one pound reward.
The above notice, printed in large type
was exhibited in several of the shops in
the High street, In the little town of Fore.
ham, and as Nigel Greenly sauntered
through the place one sunny afternoon
stopping here and there, now to look al
some fishing tackle, then to glance at a
view of Marchlands' church displayed in
the stationer's bow window, he caught
sight of the announcement concerning the
bunch of keys. But he read it unheeding.
ly; the lost keys and the reward offered
were nothing to him. Still, however, he
had taken into his mind the fact that some
one had dropped a bunch Of keys and
would be very glad to find them.
Marchlands is a small, picturesque vii
lage, with as beautiful an old church as
one would desire to find anywhere; and
Nigel Greenly, who was staying in the
neighborhood, had walked over from his
friends house expressly to see Marchlands'
church. Thus it came to pass that he had
sauntered through the quiet country town
of Foreham, and had read the advertise
ment which heads this story.
As he left Foreham behind him, ano got
into the footpath leading toward the vii
lage for which he was making, he fell into
a sad reverie, as he generally did now
when he was Hone, and his reverie ended,
as it ever did with deep drawn sigh.
eli, young sirl The horse 'ull be upon
you if so be 1ou don't move out of the
pathr'
Nigel started at this warning, and per-
ceived bulky cart horse led by country
man, rounding the road which he was tax
ing. The horse logged on while Nigel
stood still, debating with himself which
way to go, and as be looked up and down
his eyes lighted tn something which glis-
tened on the grassy path, and a moment
after he picked up bunch of keys
1.-THE keys about which that notice i re I'd
was posted up. How provokingl Npv
must take them to the owner, which me- y
impose a walk on me and consume IL q
time | meant for exploring Willow cottage,
wish had not such knack of remeIi-
boring an address when once l have heas
or seen it"
Thus thinking he twirled the keys
around, eying them with considerable dis
favor, and in so doing he noticed that one
of the many keys hshging to the seal ring
which held them tbgether was of gold
Suddenly his face flushed, and he began to
examine the small gold key.
1t was deliberately chased, and some
thing or other connected with it plainly
caused him a considerable amount of agi-
tation.
Good heavensp' muttered he, ito find
it herei Can there be two such keysl No,
No"
Without hesitating a moment longer he
dashed on through the woodland before
him.
Which is Willow cottagei" asked he Of
the first person he met, and his voice be-
trayed his agitation.
Straight on till We gets to the fust stile,
and then go to the left, sir. IT'S that slate
colored house with the clump o. willows
behind it. ="
And who lives there' Do you knowi"
continued Nigel.
"a widow lady, sir, O. the name o. Grey;
a quiet sort O. body, with two grown up
daughters.
Grey Then / must be mistaken; her
name was not Grey, ruurmured the young
man when his informant passed on.
Again, however, he examined the article
he had found, and once more his agitation
returned.
Still. l must be mistaken" repeated be
to himself.
With one more searching glance at the
glittering thing which had awakened by
gone memories he turned toward the will
lows, and an instant later was inquiring Of
the neat parlor maid who answered his
summons IF Mrs. Grey was at home"
Eyes, sir. Will you please walk this
way'"
And be was ushered into a pretty room,
where lady, dressed in slight mourning.
fas seated at a writing table.
One glance convinced him that she waa
eoite a stranger TO him as she rose to greet
him.
Permit me TO ash, f." he began courteous
", whether these are the KEYS which. ]
presume, you have lost' found them on
the way here from Forehsm," and at tho
same time he produced the bunch and held
them toward the lady.
A friend Of mine who is STAYING with me
lost some keys. Yes; those are the ones
that were lost. Oh, how much Obliged TO
you l ami replied she. with evident salts
faction, examining them meantime atten-
lively.
Had not her gaze been directed 20 the
keys she must have observed Nigel's re-
newed agitation
a friend of yours" be faltered May
/ ask whoi What is her name;"
Her name" responded the lady. look
ing up with smile 1t IL not . LADY,, but
q gentleman who lost the keys"
"A gentleman" stsmnered Nigel, and
by this time his listener began to perceive
that there was something connected with
the bunch Of keys which raised some mem
ORES not altogether free from pain.
'I ana snrs nv friend would LII.