Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-04-17
THE BROKEN KEY.

and had followed him to his home il
W., and already he had begun to neglec
her, to go out of an evening. and t.
leave her alone in the big house. He hat
tried to convince her that he could no
altogether neglect his former friends
and companions, and that she ought no.
to object to his meeting them on two
evenings every week, and to pass ar
agreeable hour or two in their company
over friendly game Of whist, but she
simply did not comprehend how he coulo
enjoy himself without her, how he
could even think Of going anywhere
without taking her along.
''Oh, the dreadful evenings l have to
spend,' she complained, with tears IN
her eyes. ST 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 it 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, 81 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?''
care not the papers every day full OF
CHI cfod
"Think of the many strangers that flock
to we'll known health resort like this
Nothing is impossible under such Cir
cumstances? ~
The husband looked thoughtfully at
his sweet bride.
"No, dear, I do not want you to
brighten yourself into illness. I promise
you herewith, of my own free will (the
poor fellow could not help heaving a
sigh as he said this) to return promptly
at II o'clock whenever I go to meet my
friends. It 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 y
Annie sighed and submitted resigned
~ to her fate. She read awhile; she
then took up her embroidery, present
for her mother; she played a 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
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 more and more confused, and
she fell into sound slumber.
It was II :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 remaining in his hands.
He knocked, he called, he knocked
again and louder-for unfortunately
there was no house bell-all in vain. IT
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 boarse. 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, be thought, shivering and drip
ping wet. "Shall I go to a hotel? No!
What would the people think The oply
place that 1 know Of that may still be
open is the railway depot, for there is
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.
ga glass of beer, sir?' asked an en-
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself.
He felt chilly. "Punch, he said, land
make it hot!" 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
watch.
It 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 malicioasly 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 it
but good rum he said to himself,
starting on a lively trot through the
city. first dcwn 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 strnck the hour Of 4.
ut is still too early to get into the
house. he said. s'The front door is new
or unlocked before 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. mnst have something hot to drink
and sit down somewhere. There is q
train at O'Clock. :" And forthwith he
once more wended his way to the rail-
road depot.
s snug corner and a cap 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 his wife fare? She
awoke in the middle of the night witt,