The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1896-08-13
THE BROKEN KEY.

The young and pretty bride felt wof.
sied and ont Of sorts. Only short eight
weeks ago she had married her dear Gus
and had followed him to his home in
W., and already he had begun to neglect
her, to 20 ont Of an eybning. 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 meeting them on two
evenings every week, and to pass an
agreeable hour or two in their company
over friendly game @ whist, but she
simply did not comprehend how he could
enjoy himself without her, how he
sould even think of going anywhere
without taking her along.
"Oh, the dreadful evenings have to
spend" she complained, with tears in
her eyes. 81 am obliged to sit here all
alone because have as yet had no
chance to form any acquaintance here.
Naturally ] get homesick. Often I feel
like leaving everything and taking the
train home to my parents
would il 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, II am afraid.
Our servant 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
happens'
care not the papers every day full Of
burglaries and robberies9" she persisted.
''Think of the many strangers that flock
to a well Known health resort like this
Nothing is impossible under such cir
cumstances J"
The husband looked thoughtfully as
his sweet bride.
"No, dear, do not want you to
brighten yourself into illness promise
you herewith, of my own free viii tthe
poor fellow could not help heaying a
sigh as he said this) to return promptly
at II O'Clock whenever go to meet my
friends. 1t is impossible for me to with
draw myself from their society alto
gether, for they would ridicule and
make fun of me, and call me henpecked.
Burglars rarely put in their appearance
before the hour of II, the streets being
full of life and traffic. Goodby, darling,
and please do not feel lonesome.
Annie sighed and submitted resigned
" to her fate. She read awhile; she
then took up her embroidery, present
for her mother; she played game Of
solitaire, and finally she paced restlessly
up and down the room. At home there
had been large family circle; hence it
was very trying to her to be left SO much
to herself in her new surroundings.
At 10 O'Clock even the familiar noises
in the kitchen ceased, for the servant
had gone up stairs to her attic, and the
poor woman felt the old feeling Of dis
tress and fright creep over her. The sit
ting room was located at the rear Of the
house, and there was hallway between
1t and the front rooma She therefore
could not,hear the usual noises. A death
like silence reigned in the ROOM Tired
and yet excited, she threw herself on the
lounge. She sadly reflected why, beer
houses and Gard parties had been called
into existence By and By her thoughts
became more and moro confused, and
she fell into . sound slumber.
= Il was II :05 o'clock when Gus arrived
breathleasly and post haste at his house
door and tried to at his key into the
lock.
Poor fellowi Had evil spirits con-
spired to get him into troubles Click-
the key broke in two, and the bit stuck
fast in the keyhole. handle and barrel
alone remaining in his banda
He knocked, he called, he knocked
again and louder-fr unfortunately
there was no house bell-all In vain. II
hardly think my wife has retired as early
as this. he reflected, ''but Of course she
Is in the sitting room. and most 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
it commenced to rain, and he was with
out an umbrella.
perhaps Annie has gone to bed, aft
er all. he thought, shivering and drip
ping wet. "Shall I go to hotel? Mol
What would the people Think The only
place that know of that may still be
open is the railway depot, for there 10
train arriving at midnight.
BE went down tie street in the pour
ing rain, and at vt found himself in
the waiting room Of the station.
90 :i.ss cf 49, - Is, $50 -. g.
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself.
He felt chilly. "Punch. - he said. land