Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-05-21
THE BROKEN HOUSEKEY.

The young and pretty bride felt wor-
Red and out Of sorts. Only q short
eight weeks ago she had married her
dear Gus and had followed him to his
home in W, and already he had be-
gun to neglect her, to 60 out Of an even
ing, and to leave her alone in the big
house. He had tried to convince her
that be 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 how
he could enjoy himself without her,
how he could even think Of going any
where 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, get homesick. Often feel
like leaving everything and taking the
train home to my parents"
"Would it not be better, darling, II
you went to bed instead and tried TO
sleep?"
"That is just where the trouble is"
she replied, still in tears; II 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
penn"
"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.
mo, dear, do not want you to fright
en- yourself into illness. Ipromise you
herewith, Of my own free will 1.-THE poor
fellow could not help heaving q sigh as
he said this) to return promptly at II
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
eddy to her fate. She read awhile; then
she took up her embroidery, present
for her mother; she played game Of
solitaire, and finally she paced restless
ly up and down the room. At home
there had been large family circle;
hence it was very trying to her to be
lett 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 tho
poor woman felt the old feeling Of dis
trcss and fright creep over her. The
sitting-pom was located to the rear Of
the house, and there was a hallway be-
tween 1t and the front rooms. She
therefore could not hear the usual
street noises A death-like silence
reigned In the room. Tired and yetex-
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 q sound slunber.
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 leyhole, handle and
barrel alone remained in his hands.
He knocked; he called; he knocked
again, and louder, for unfortunately
there was no house bell-all in vain.
" hardly think my wife has retired
as early as this" he reflected, "but
OF course she is in the sitting-room, and
more likely she cannot hear me-" Once
more be knocked-this time very loud
he called until his voice was hoarse.
No reply!
To fill his cup OF misery to the brim
1t commenced to rain. and he was with
out an umbrella
Perhaps Annie has zone to bed after
all" he thought. shivering and dripping
wet "Shall go to 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
he waiting-room of the station.
"a glass of beer. sir?" asked the en-
waiter. Gus shook himself.
lie felt chilly. Punch" be said, "and
make 1t hot.7 lie drank one glass and
hen another, and still another, to while
way the time. He was the only person
here. In due time the last train had ar
lived, and he could stay mol longer. They
we're about to close up.
In sheer desperation he looked at his
watch.
1t was one o'clock when he emerged