The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-04-10
THE B!.OIlI14s HOUSE KEY.

eight weeks ago she had married her
dear Gus and had followed him to his
home in W, and already he had be-
gun to neglect her, to go out of an even
ing, and to leave her alone in the big
house. He had tried to convince her
that he could not altogether neglect his
former friends and companions, and
that she ought not to object to his meet
ing them on two evenings every week,
and to pass an agreeable hour in their
company over a friendly game of whist;
but she simply did not comprehend how
he could enjoy himself without her,
how he could even think of going any
where without taking her along.
ooh! the dreadful evenings have to
spend" she complained, with tears in
her eyes. Il am obliged to sit here all
alone because 1 have as yet had no
chance to farm any acquaintance here.
Naturally, 1 get homesick. Often feel
like leaving everything and taking the
train home to my parents"
"Would it not be better, darling, if
you went to bed instead and tried to
sleep?"
''That is just where the trouble is"
she replied, still in tears; 81 am afraid.
Our servant always sleeps way up in the
attic. She would not even hear were
anything to happen to me-
why, you foolish child, what is there
to be afraid of; what is going to hap
pen?"
care not the papers every day full of
burglaries and robberies?" she per-
sisted. think of the many strangers
that flock to a well-known health resort
like this. Nothing is impossible under
such circumstances"
The husband looked thoughtfully at
his sweet bride.
''No, dear. l do not want you to fright
en- yourself into illness. promise you
herewith, of my own free will (the poor
fellow could not help heaving a sigh as
he said this) to return promptly at IL
o'clock whenever l go to meet my
friends. 1t is impossible for me to
withdraw myself from their society al
together, for they would ridicule and
make fun of me, and call me hen
pecked.' Burglars rarely put in their
appearance before the hour of IL, the
streets being full of life and traffic.
Good-by. darling, and please do not feel
lonesome"
Annie sighed and submitted resign
edly to her fate. She read awhile; then
she took up her embroidery, a present
for her mother; she played a game of
solitaire, and finally she paced restless
ly up and down the room. At home
there had been a large family circle;
hence it was very trying to her to be
left so much to herself in her new sur
roundings.
AT ten o'clock even the familiar noises
in the kitchen ceased, for the servant
had gone upstairs to her attic, and the
poor woman felt the old feeling of dis
tress and fright creep over her. The
sitting-room was located to the rear of
the house, and there was hallway be-
tween it and the front rooms. She
therefore could not hear the usual
street noises. A death-like silence
reigned in the room. Tired and yet ex-
cited she threw herself on the lounge.
She sadly reflected why beer houses
and card parties had been called into
existence. By and by her thoughts
became more and more confused, and
she fell into a sound slumber.
It was 11:05 o'clock when Gus arrived
breathlessly and post haste at his house
door and tried to fit his key into the
lock.
Poor fellow! Had evil spirits con-
spired to get him into trouble? Click
the key broke in two and the bit
stuck fast in the leyhole, handle and
barrel alone remained in his hands.
He Knocked; he called; he knocked
again, and louder, for unfortunately
there was no house bell-all in vain.
81 hardly think my wife has retired
as carly as this" he reflected, "but
Of course she is in the sitting-room, and
more likely she cannot hear me-" Once
more he knocked-this time very loud
he called until his voice was hoarse.
No reply!
To fill his cup of misery to the brim
1t commenced to rain, and he was with
out an umbrella.
Perhaps Annie has gone to bed after
all" he thought, shivering and dripping
wet. "Shall go to hotel? No! What
would the people think? The only place
that know of that may still be open
lie the railway depot, for there is train
arriving at midnight"
He went down the street in the pour
ing rain, and at last found himself in
the waiting-room of the station.
ga glass of beer, sir?" asked the en-
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself.
He felt chilly. Punch" he said. land
make it hot!" He drank one glass and
then another, and still another, to while
away the time. He was the only person
there. In due time the last train had ar
rived, and he could stay nolonger. They
were about to close up.
In sheer desperation he looked at his
watch.
1t was one o'clock when he emerged
into the street, and it had ceased to
rain. The full moon seemed to grin
and wink at him maliciously through
the clouds, as though she meant to say:
See, old man. it serves you right! Why
nlust-you go out to play cards and leave
your wife at home in loneliness?"
In spite of the repeated potations he
still felt chilly. "There is no help for it
but a good run, he said to himself, start
ing on lively trot through the city;
first down one street, then up another;
through the suburbs until he reached