Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-05-04
A DiCEM MA.
The Key to the Situation Was In
fortunately Not TO he Had.

III Nou khoW, HuiCLos hC va
saying" don't believe that the cours
of true love never does run smooth
In our case l am sure nothing ha
ever happened to cast the slightes
shadow across the sunlit path of ou
mutual affection. Two hearts lik,
ours-what is the matter"
She wa. holding her pocket hand
kerchief to her nose.
"Tm afraid my nose is bleeding jus
u little. 1t sometimes does this no
weather. If you will excuse me, II
retire."
"No, don't run away, darling, II
stop it in a minute. A perfect cure
Herew
He ran to the door to get the ke.
from the lock. He turned it about
but it was some seconds before m
could remove it.
"Ah, here it is" he exclaimed al
last.
"But what is the use of it,"
"Oh III show you. The application
OF anything cold to the back of th'
neck has the effect of-of-well,
don't know what it is that happens
it chills blood or stops the circulation
or something OF that Sort"
care you sure it is safe, Herbert?"
"Oh, perfectly. A fellow ] know
cured himself for life. No, l dom
exactly mean that. Put it down the
back OF your neck. That's right"
"Ogh! How cold it feels!"
"Now hold your hands high above
your head for q short time"
"Oh, Herbert"
What's the matter?"
"Oh, Herbert, I-I-its slipped"
What"
"There's some one at the door. JUS
see who it is"
Herbert went to the door, but found
it would not open. He had inadvert
emily locked it when removing the
key.
"One moment. please" he shouted
Then turning to Amelia, "Just lend
me the key moment, dear"
al told you. It's-it's gone!"
"Gone" he gasped, as he suddenly
realized the awkardness OF the situa'
ton. Cant THAT is to say, cant
you get it?"
"Open the door! Who is there?"
"That is papa. Good gracious, what
shall we do? Why don't you speak to
him?"
"Mr. wilkins, is that your"
Certainly it is, sir. Why in thun
der don't you open the door,"
al can't, SIR"
"Can't? The key was on the inside
know"
"Yes, but your daughter"-
"My daughter? Is Amelia in thereT
ayes, she"-
"Then open the door instantly, OF
PIP
"Pray be calm, sir"
"Be calm indeed! Where is thai
key?
"She swallowed it-no, don't mean
that. It's gone down."
"GOne down where?"
"She put it down her throat-no
neck-and she lost it,"
"Are you msd?"
"Her blouse was needing-I mean
her nose was bleeding, and I put the
key in the neck of her back, and j,
slipped down."
But Amelia's father had gone, benz
on putting some energetic measures
into execution. Her mother now
came to the door.
"Oh, Amelia, what does it all mean
Where is the key"
al have it, mamma"
"Then why don't you open the
door?"
Because" in loud whisper
through the keyhole-"b because Her
bert's here"
"Oh, the monsterw
"Amelia, for heavens sake get thai
key!" pleaded Herbert.
"How can L." she replied warmly
"unless you leave the room?"
"But can't leave the room until
you do. Stay! Ill draw down the
blinds and go out on the balcony
Now, for goodness sake be quick EhI
OF course! l give you my word o.
honor"
Poor Herbert had hardly stepped
outside the window when he saw the
massive form of Mr.. wilkins alight al
the other end Of the balcony. Escape
was impossible, and he could not o.
course retreat into the drawing room
"Ha! Now, sir" shouted the en-
ragged father, "if you will just 60 bacl
out OF the public gaze we will settle
this matter"
Cant 60 in there, sir!"
Cant, indeed!"
"No. Your d-d-daughter isis dis
robing"
What? You unmitigated scoun
drel"
Mr.. wilkins sprang like a tiger al
Herbert before the young man could
get in one word of explanation, and
the two were instantly engaged in
very desperate encounter on the frs
floor balcony, to the great excitement
of tho neighbors and people in thu
street.
Am,lia'. father was q powerful man