Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-04-08
THE BROKEN HOUSE KEY.

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Gus and had followed him to his home
in W, and already he had begun to
neglect her, to go out of an 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
agreea bic hour or two in their company
over friendly game of whist; but she
simply did not comprehend how he could
enjoy himself without her, how he could
even think of going anywhere without
taking her along.
''Oh the dreadful evenings / have to
spend,' she complained, with tears in her
eyes. Il am obliged to sit here all alone
because | have as yet had no chance to
form any acquaintance here. Naturally.
l 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
Sleep?'
''trhat is just where the trouble is"
she replied, still in tears. Il am afraid.
Our servant sleeps way up in the attic.
She would not even hear were anything
to happen to me.
~
to be afraid of; what is going to hap
pen?'
Are not the papers every day full of
burglaries and rObberies?" she persisted.
Think of the many strangers that flock
to a well-knoWn health resort like this.
Nothing is impossible under such cir
cumstanceS!
The husband looked thoughtfully at
his sweet bride.
mo, dear, | do not want you to
brighten yourself into illness. [ promise
you herewith, of my own free will (the
poor fellow could not help heaying a
sigh as he said this to return promptly
at IL o'clock whenever [ go to meet my
friends. 1t is impossible for me tG 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
Annie sighed and submitted resignedly
to her fate. She read awhile; she then
took up her embroidery, a present for
her mother; she played a game of soil
taire. and finally she paced restlessly 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 surroundings.
At 10 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 a 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 excited she
threw herself on the lounge She sadly
pptipctn6 Jyh P6
ties 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:O5 o'clock when Gus arrived
breathlessly and posthaste 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. 81 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 hoarse. 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 after
all, he thought, shivering and dripping
wet. "Shall l go to a hotel? No. What
would the people think. The only place
that | 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.
"A glass of beer, SIR? asked an en-
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself
He felt chilly. Punch" he said, land
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
watch.
1t was 1 o'clock when he emerged into
the street, and it had ceased to rain.
The full moon seemed to grin and wink
at him malicously 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 recent potation he still
felt chilly. There is no help for it
but a good rum" he said to himself,
starting on a lively trot through the
city; 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.
1T is still too early to get into the
house he said, 1.-The front door is never
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 l can stand this no long
er. | must have something hot to drink
and sit down somewhere There is a
train at o'clock" and forthwith he
once more wendell his way to the rail
road depot.
A snug corner and a 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 his wife fare? She
awoke III the middle of the night with
start, almost frightened out of her