Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-05-21

way to the railroad depot
A snug corner and a cup Of hot coffee
somewhat restored him. But be was
very tired, and pretty soon he was as
sound asleep in his corner as his wife
had been the night before on her
lounge.
And low did his wife fare? She
awoke in the middle Of the night with a
start, almost frightened GU. Of her wits
by a horrid dream, in which her hus.
band had appeared before her, wounded,
bleeding. and torn by huge blood
hounds. Pretty soon. however, she
comprehended the situation. Her face
bathed in tears, she paced restlessly up
and down the room wringlng her hands.
"Oh, the wretch! To stay out all night!
Just to think it! Such man has the
effrontery to talk to me Of love. Not
content to act like villain, he even had
to make fun of me last nightly pretend
ing he would henceforth be home at II
o'clock. Who would ever have thought
him so base? They close the beer
house after midnight, hence he cannot
pretend to be playing cards there all
night Heaven only knows where he
is spending the night, while i! But
he'll find that | am not his dupe.
shall leave him at once. There is a
train at seven o'clock in the morning.
which am going to take and 60 home
to my parents"-and SO forth and 80 on.
More wringing of her hands, more tears.
more self-pity and accusations, until in
her eyes her husband appeared q verit-
able Bluebeard.
At five o'clock she called the serving
maid, whom she sent to the garnet for a
valise, and commenced to pack. The
maid said nothing, but she was sur
prised that her master had not risen and
did not help his wife. However, she
made the coffee and then went after
cab.
The front door was wide open and q
locksmith busy with the big lock when
Annie appeared in the hall. The land
lady ran to meet her. exclaiming In
a furry of excitement: did you hear
about it, madam? A thief was here
last night and made an attempt to enter
the house. Some one must have fright
ened him of. lie left broken key
stuck fast in the lock, and I was unable
to unlock the door. | had to call from
the window until ! aroused a neighbor,
who ran for a locksmth. Now l am
going to have a patent lock put on and
spoil their little game. But you look
very pale, my dear madam. lam sorry
to have frightened you with my burglar
story. Are you going to take ride so
early in the morning?"
Annie nodded and passed on. She
was glad that the woman had not seen
her valise, which her maid had already
put into the cab.
What a narrow escape l had last
night. How near came being robbed
worse!- She was now
thoroughly angry. $50 much more
reason for leaving the fellow. no matter
the consequences! For the present
shall remain with my parents" Thus
musing she arrived at the depot,
Before purchasing her ticket she in.
tended to leave her valise in the wait.
ing-room. Annie entered and made
for an empty table, when suddenly
she dropped the valise and almost
screamed aloud-wasn't that her hus-
band, "her' Gus sitting there in cor
Ter and snoring loud enough TO make
everybody in the room smile at his
nasal powers? lie looked tired and
worn and his garments appeared damp.
How did he get here and why was he in
such a dilapidated condition? She
stood for moment undecided and I'M
able to take her eyes off his drawn,
worn out features.
Suddenly the sleeper opened his eyes,
Whatever the outcome she must avoid
a scene in public room. Anything
but that! The waters had more than
once looked wcnderingly at the man
who had drunk three cups of coffee and |
then fallen sound asleep hours ago.
Annie tried to appear quite uncon-
cerned, and took a seat beside her hus-
band. Somehow her anger had sud-
denly vanished.
"Oh, darling. what brought mo-
mean rather what brought you
here?" he asked. astonished at the un-
appearance of his wife,
dressed for journey. !
"Ncver mind. dear. Don't bother
about that now" she whispered
Come. let US ride home, where | will
Explain all"
Gus acquiesced in silence. His feet
'elt heavy and hardly able to carry his
weight. lie was sick. All he could
10 was to drag himself to cab.
And then explanations were in order.
Annie had no reason to doubt her hus-
)ands narration OF his adventures dur.
ng the night and what the landlady
lad told her about the broken key
ended TO corroborate and exonerate
lin. But he could not make out from
Ter explanations what had taken her to
he railway station. lie was, however.
90 i'll to ask many questions.
Arrived at home she simply told the
stonished servants that "they had
hanged their mind and would not go
way because her husband, who had
Al II