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

lt was 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
must 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 1t
but good rum" he said to himself,
starting ON lively trot through the
sity, first down one street, then up an.
other, through the suburbs, until he
reached the open country, and back
again without stop or rest for fear Of
catching cold.
The town clock struck the hour Of 4.
sit is still too early to get into the
house, he said. "The front door is new
er unlocked before 6 o'clock! Will they
be able to unlock the door anyway? A
piece Of my key sticks in the lock. The
women are imprisoned and cannot get
out. But now ! can stand this no lon
ger. WRst have something hot to drink
and sit down somewhere. There is
train at O'Clock. - And forthwith he
once more wendell his way to the rail.
road depot.
A snug corner and cup of hot coffee
somewhat restored him. But he 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 how did q wife fare? She
awoke in the middl, the night with
start, almost frightened out of her wits
by horrid dream, in which her hus-
band had appeared before her, wounded,
bleeding and torn by huge bloodhounds.
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 Of isl Such man has the effron-
terry to talk TO me of love. Not content
to act like a villain, he even had to
make fun Of me last night by pretending
he would henceforth be home at IL
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 spend
ing the night, in whose company he is
enjoying himself, while but he II find
that am not his dupe. ! shall leave
him at once. There is a train at o'clock
in the morning, which / am going to
take and go home to my parents. -
At 8 o'clock she called the serving
maid. whom she sent to the garnet for
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 coffse aud then went after a
cab.
The front door was wide open and a
locksmith busy with the big lock when
Annie appeared in the hail. The land
lady ran to meet her, exclaiming in a
furry of excitement: Ibid you hear
about it, madam? A thief was here last
night and made an attempt to enter the
house. Some one must have frightened
him off. He left broken key stuck fast
IL tAO AOCh, dlu was W uulOCh
the door. had to call from the window
until aroused neighbor, who ran for
a locksmith. Now am going to have a
patent lock put on and spoil their little
game. But you look very pale, my dear
madam. l am sorry to have frightened
you with my burglar story. Are you 60
ing to take ride SO early in the morn
ing?"
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 q narrow escape ! had last
night How near came being robbed
perhaps worser' She was now thor
oughly angry. $50 much more reason
for leaving the fellow, no matter what
the consequences For the present I 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 waiting
room. Annie entered and made for al
empty table, when suddenly she drop
ped the vaise and almost screamed
aloud. Wasn't that her husband. "her"
Gus sitting there in a corner and snor-
ing loud enough to make everybody in
the room smile at his nasal powers? he
looked tired and worn and his garments
appeared damp. How did he get here
and why was he in such dilapidated
condition. She stood for moment nm
decided and unable to take her eyes of
his drawn. WORKOUT features.
Suddenly the sleeper opened his eyes.
Whatever the outcome. she must avoid q
scene in a public room. Anything but
that The walters had more than once
looked wonderingly at the man who
had drunk three cups of coffee and then
fallen sound asleep hours ago. Annie
tried to appear quite unconcerned, and
took q seat beside her husband. Some
how her anger had suddenly vanished.
''Oh, darling, what brought mel
mean rather what brought you-here?"
he asked, astonished at the unexpected
appearance Of his wife, dressed for q
journey.
'Never mind. dear. Don't bother
about that now she whispered.
Come, let % ride home, where will
explain all. /"
Gus acquiesced in silence. His feet
a IA q -. 30 l.