The Forrest City times., 1896-04-10
THE BROKEN HOUSEKEY


ried and out of sorts. Only a short
eight weeks ago she had married her
dear Gus and had followed him to his
nome In W, and already he had be-
gun to neglect her, to go out of an even
ing, 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 meet
ing them on two evenings every week,
and to pass an agreeable hour in their
company over friendly game of whist;
but she simply did not comprehend bow
he could enjoy himself without her.
now he could even think of going any
where without taking her along.
Obi. the dreadful evenings | have to
spend, she complained, with tears in
her eyes. Il am obliged to sit here all
alone because l have as yet had no
chance to form any acquaintances here.
Naturally, get homesick. Often 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
sleep?"
THAT is just where the trouble isl
she replied, still in tears; Il am afraid.
Our servant always 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 hap
pen?'
Are not the papers every day full of
burglaries and robberies?' she per-
sisted. Think of the many strangers
that flock to a well-known health resort
like this. Nothing is impossible under
such circumstances"
The husband looked thoughtfully at
his sweet bride.
"No, dear, do not want you to fright
en- yourself into illness. Ipromise you
herewith, of my own free will (the poor
fellow could not help heaving sigh as
he said this) to return promptly at IL
o'clock whenever | go to meet my
friends. 1t is impossible for me to
withdraw myself from their society al
together, for they would ridicule and
make fun of me, and call me hen
pecked.' 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
edly 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 a large family circle;
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, and the
poor woman felt the old feeling of dis
tress and fright creep over her. The
sitting-room was located to the rear of
the house, and there was hallway be-
tween it and the front rooms. She
therefore could not hear the usual
street noises A death-like 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.
1t was 11:05 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 trouble? Click
the key broke in two and the bit
stuck fast in the keyhole, handle and
barrel alone remained in his hands.
He knocked; he called; he knocked