Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-05-22
A DILEMMA.
The Key to the Situation Was Unfortunate.
Iy Not to He Had.


The Key to the Situation Was Unfortunate
Iy Not to He Had.
Herbert and Amelia were engaged to be
married. They were seated alone one aft
ernoon in the drawing room at her home
awaiting the return of her parents, whohad
gone for short stroll.
do you know, Amelia" he was saying,
Il don't believe that the course Of true love
never does run smooth? In our case l am
sure nothing has ever happened to cast the
| slightest shadow across the sunlit path of
our mutual affection. Two hearts like ours
what is the matters'
! She was holding her pocket handkerchief
to her nose.
Pm afraid my nose is bleeding just lit
tie. 1t sometimes does this hot weather.
II you will excuse me, I'll retire."
NO, don't run away, darling. I'll stop
it in minute. A perfect cure. HereF
He ran to the closed door to get the key
from the lock. He turned it about, but it
! was some seconds before he could removeit.
"Ah, here it isl" he exclaimed at last.
"But what is the use Of it?''
sOh, I'll show you. The application Of
anything cold to the back of the neck has
the effect of-of-well, don't know exact
ly what 1t is that happens-it chills the
blood, or stops the circulation, or some
thing Of tho sort"
Are you sure it is safe, HerbertW
"Oh, perfectly. A fellow l know cured
himself for life. No, I don't exactly mean
that. Put it down the back of your neck.
That's right" ......
ugh! How cold 1t feels!"
''Now hold your hands high above your
head for short time"
ooh, Herbertr'
whats the matter?' &
''Oh, Herbert, Lifts slippedp' =
WHAT"
There's some one ut the door. Just see
who 1t is"
Herbert went to the door. but found it
would not open. He had inadvertently
locked 1t when removing the key.
Zone moment. pleased heshouted. Then,
turning to Amelia, "Just lend me the key a
moment, dear"
II told you. It's-it's gonep'
'Gone" he gasped as he suddenly real
lied the awkwardness of the situation.
Cant THAT is to say, can't you get it,"
'Open the door! Who is in theres"
"That is papa. Good gracious, what
shall we dor Why don't you speak to him? ~
''Mr. wilkins, is that your"
Certainly it is, sir. Why in thunder
don't you open the door,"
II can't, SIR"
Can't! The key was on the inside, /
know"
Eyes; but your daughter''-
"My daughter! Is Amelia in there9"
Eyes; she'-'
'Then open the door instantly, or Pip
PRAY be calm, SIR"
BE calm, indeed! Where is that 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 lostitr
''Are you mads"
Her blouse was needing-I mean her
nose was bleeding, and put the key in the
neck of her back, and it slipped down."
But Amelia's father had gone, bent on
putting some energetic measures into exc
cution. Her mother now came to the door
'Oh, Amelia, what does it all meant
Where is the key?"
II have it. mammal"
''Then why don't you open the doors'
"Because"-in a loud whisper through
the keyhole-" because Herbert's herel'
"Oh, the monsterl''
amelia, for heavens sake get that key'
pleaded Herbert.
''fIow can T." she replied warmly, sun
| less you leave theroomW
but can't leave the room until you do
Stay! I'll draw down the blinds and go Out
ON the balcony. Now. for goodness SAX,
be quick Ehi OF course! give you m!
/ word of honor"
Poor Herbert had hardly stepped outside
| the window when he saw the massive form
| of Mr. Wilkins alight at the other end O.
the balcony. Escape was impossible, ant
he could not of course retreat into the draw
ing room.
''Ha! Now. SIR" shouted the enragei
father, ''if you will just 60 back out of tn.
public gaze we will settle this matter"
Cant 60 in there, STRIP
Cant, indeed"
mo. YourdA1laughteris isis disrobingl'
WHAT You unmitigated scoundrel!'
Mr.. Wilkins spranR like tiger at Her
bert before the young man could get in on,
word of explanation, and the two were in
stantly engaged in a very desperate en-
counter on the first floor balcony. to tn,
great excitement of the neighbors and peo
pie in the street.
Amelia's father was a powerful man ant
an experienced wrestler. He was, more
over, mad with rage.
The struggle continued for some time
and it seemed as though one or the othe
would certainly throw his adversary owe
the balcony. But suddenly the blind wa.
drawn up, and two female faces appeared
at the window, and voices were heard call
ing out, Here's the key" Amelia hat
found the key, opened the door for hel
mother and mutual explanations all round
rendered any further development of thu
balcony scene Bits
A Proper Time For Everything.
! e 4
gY 7 I'' a.. q