The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-05-02
THE BROKEN HOUSE KEY.

RED and out Of sorts. Only short
eight weeks avo she had married her
dear Gus andah had followed him to MS
home in W. and already he had be-
gun 70 neglect her, to go cut ofan even
Ing, and % 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 10 object 20 his meet
ing them an two evenings every week.,
and 70 pass an agreeable hour n their
company over a friendl y game OF whist.
but she simply did nas comprehend how
ne could enjoy himself without her,
how he could even think Of going any
where without taking her along.
"0h. the dreadful evenings have to
spend she complained, with tears n
her eyes. 4 am Obliged to sit here al
alone because [ haze as yet had no
chance to form any aequaintanees here.
Naturally. [ get homesiek. Often feel
Ike leaving everything and taAing the
train home TO my parents
Would It not be better darling, if
You went to bed instead and tried 10
sieepg
THAT is just where the trouble is
she replied. still "a tears; 4 am afraid.
Our servant always sleeps way up in the
attic She would not even hear were
anything to happen 70 me-
Why, yaH foolish child, Rhasis there
70 be afraid Of; what is going 70 hap
pen2"
Are not the papers every day full Of
burplaries and robberies2.' she per
sisted "Thinl, Of the maHY ltranEefs
that aock % a well-kaawa health resort
ike this. Nothing is impossible under
such circumstances!
The husband looked thoughtfully a.
his sweet bride.
"No, dear, 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 sigh az
ne said this to return promptly at Il
O'clock whenever I 60 to meet my
friends. It is impossible for me %
withdraw myself from their society a.
together, for they would fidicule and
make fun Of me. and cal me hen
peclSed' Burglars rarely put in their
appearance before the hour of II, the
streets being full of life and traffic
Good-by, darling, and please do not feel
| lonesome"
Annie sighed and submitted resign
eddy to her fate. She read awhile; then
she took up her embroidery, 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 large family eircle5
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, aad the
poor woman felt the old feeling of dis
tress and fright creep over her. The
sitring-rOom was located 10 the rear Of
the house, and there was a hallway be-
tween it and the front rooms. Sne
therefore could not hear the usual
street noises. A death-iike 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 1f:05 o'clock when Gus arrived
breathlessly and post haste at his horse
door and tried TO nj his Key INTO the
| lock.
Poor fellowl Had evil spirits con-
| spircd to get him into troubIeS Click
the key broke in two and the bit
stuck fast in the keyhoIe, handle and
karrel alone remained in bis hands
He knocked; he called; he knocked
again, and louder, for unfortunately
there was no house hell-all in vain.
Il hardly think my wife has retired
az early az this" he reflected, "but
Of course she is in the sitting room. and
more likely she cannot hear me" Once
more he knocled-this time very loud
he called until his voice was hoarse.
No reply
To an his cup of misery to the brim
it commenced to rain, and he was with
| out an umbrella.
Perhaps Annie has gone 10 bed a fter
ALL he thought, On and dripping
wet. "Shafl go 10 7 hotel9 No! What
would the people think? TheonIy placr
that 1 know Of that may stH he open
Is the railway depot$or there is a train
arriving at midnight"
He went down the street In the pour
/ ing rain, and at last found himself in
The waiting Of the station
"A glass of beer, sir?" asked the en-
terprising waiter Gus shook himself
He felt chilly. Punch" he said, "and
make 10 hot" lie drank ore glass and
then another, and still mother. 10 while
away the time. lie was the only person
there. To- due time the last train had ar
rived, and be could stay noiuuger. They
were about to close UP.
In sheer desperation he looked at bis
watch.
10 was one O'Clock when he emerged
into the street, and it had ceased ta
/ rain. The fHl moon seemed 10 grin
! and wink no him malici0ueiy through
I fhe clouds. as though abe meant 20 say.
'See. old man. deserves you fi<hti Why
must you SO olt 20 play cards and .eave
! your wife AZ home in loneliness
Tn spite of tie repeated poiat'ons be
stI fee chilly. There ~ no help for %
but a good riu. he said 20 himself, STAR
ing en- a lively trot through the eii}.
/ first down one street. then up anothrr
/ through the suburbs until De reached