, 1896-04-08
THE BROKEN KEY.

weeks ago she had married her dear Gus
and had followed him 10 his home in
W.. and already he had begun tt neglect
her. to 90 ont Of al evening. 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 a friendly game Of whist. hut she
simply did not comprehend how he cou.d
enjoy himself without her. how lie
could even think of going anywhere
without taking her along.
ooh. the dreadful evenings 1 have to
spend" she complained, with tears in
her eyes. II am obliged t sit here all
alone because I have as yet had no
chance to form any acquaintance here.
Naturally ! get homesick. Often l 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
sleepT"
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
happen?"
Are not the papers every day full of
burglaries and robberies?" she persisted.
"Think Of the many strangers that flock
to a we'll known health resort like this.
Nothing is impossible under such cir
cumstances !" ID
The husband looked thuughtfully at
his sweet bride.
"No, dear, / do not want you to
brighten yourself into illness. l promise
you herewith, Of my own free will (the
poor fellow could not help heaving u
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 IL, 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, a present
for her mother; she played a game Of
solitaire, and finally she paced restlessly
mp 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 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
treas and fright creep ver her. The sit
ting room was located ut the rear Of the
house. and there was a hallway between
IL and the front rooms. 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 card parties had been called
into existence. By and by her thoughts
became more and more confused, and
she fell into u sound slumber.
It was IL :O5 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 trouble2 Click
the key broke in two. and the bit stuck
fast in the keyhole, handle and barrel
alone remaining in his hands.
he knocked, he called, he knocked
again and louder-for unfortunately
there was no house bell-ali in vain. Il
hardly think my wife has retired as early
9 this. " he reflected. but of course she
ID 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 ill his cup Of misery to the brim
il commenced to rain, and he was with
ont an umbrella.
"Perhaps Annie has gone to bed, aft
er all" he thought, shivering and drip
ping wet. "Shall l go to a hotel? MOI
What would the people thinkl The only
place that I know Of that may still be
open 10 the railway depot. for 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 room Of the station.
"A glass Of beer, sir?" asked an en-
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself.
he felt chilly. Punch" he said, land
make il hotr' He drank II glass and