The aegis & intelligencer., 1896-05-08
THElBR0KEN KEY.

Tho Ig and pretty bride felt wor-
,iod o,,d "a + of sorts. Only short eight
-, he had married her dear Gus
"a IL s,llowed him to his home in
w ona a,,lssdy he had begun to neglect
lo, - - out of an evening, and to
Ioana bo,. )ne in the big house. He had
go - oo,, vince her that he could not
,1toao+to,. Neglect his former friends
s,,J - -, , ions, and that she ought not
80 ohiaot - his meeting them on two
ovorinos oylery week, and to pass an
a,unlaSio ! }ur or two in their company
o1ar - g.; .esdly game of whist, but she
oily did4o comprehend how he could
enjoy hini'elf without her, how he
could even think Of going anywhere
without taking her along.
'Oh, the dreadful evenings have to
spend, SIN complained, with tears in
her eyes. II am obliged to sit hero all
alone becanse I have as yet had no
chance TO 1brm any acquaintances 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 b bed instead and tried to
sleep?"
''That il just where the trouble is, )"
she replied, still in tears, 81 am afraid.
Our servant sleeps way up i'll the attic.
She would uot even hear We're 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
cumstanceaS'
ThN,Sus land looked thuughtfully at
mo II do not waht you tc
frightef If into illness. l promise
yroh tfers-,-. d, of my own free will (the
POOR fellow could not help heaving a
sigh as he said this) to return promptly
at IL o'clocl; 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.
Burg lars rarely put i'll their appearance
before the hour of IL, the streets being
full of life and traffic. Goodby, darling,
and please 10 not feel lonesome. "
AAnie siAHed and submitted resigned
ly to her Ate. 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 ehe
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
it 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 morsa and more confused and
she fell int A~~lnd slumber.
It - Sss5Jk W ff1en Gus arrived
breathlessly k.nd post haste at his house
door and tried to fit his key into the
lock.
Poor fellcwl Had evil spirits con-
splred to get him into troubler 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-all in vain. 81
hardly think ny wife has retired as early
as this. " he effected, 'but of course she
is IN the sitting room, and most likely
she cannot near me- " Once more he
knocked-this time very loud. He called
until his voise was hoarse. No reply.
10 I'LL his cup of misery to the brim
it commences 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 go to hotel? MOI
What What would the people think The only
place that I Know of that may still be
open is the railway depot, for there is
train arriving at midnight "
He went Down the street i'll the pour
ing rain, and at last found himself in
the waiting room of the station.
"A glass of%oeer, sir?" asked an en-
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself.
He felt chilly. Punch, he said, 'and
make it hotr' 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
arrived, and he could stay no longer.
They were about to close up.
In sheer desperation he looked at his