Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-17
The Staru Teller.
THE BROKEN KEY.
HAPPENINGS OF A NIGHT.

HAPPENINGS OF A NIGHT.
The young and pretty bride fell
worried and out of sorts. Only
short eight weeks ago she had mar
ried her dear Gus, and had followed
him to his home in w., and already he
had begun to neglect her, to 60 out O
an evening, and to leave her alone il
the big house. He had tried to con
vince her that he could not altogether
neglect his former friends and com
panions, and that she ought not tt
object to his meeting them on two
evenings every week, and to pass an
agreeable hour or two in their compa
nv over friendly game of whist; but
she did not simply comprehend how he
could enjoy himself without her, ho"
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. II am obliged to SIT
here alsne because I have as yet had
no chance to form any acquaintances
Naturally, I get homesick. Often ]
feel like leaving everything, aud tax
ing the train home to my parents"
"Would it not be better, darling, il
YOU went to bed instead and tried to
sleep?" .
"That is just where the trouble is,'
she replied, still in tears. ~ am
afraid. Our servant sleeps away 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 ?"
"Are not the papers every day full
of burglaries and robberies ?" she per-
sisted. "Think of the many strangers
that flock to a we'll known health
resort like this. Nothing is impossible
under such circumstances"
The husband looked thoughfully at
his sweet bride.
"No, dear, 1 do not want you to
frighten yourself into illness. l prom
ise you herewith Of my own free will
(the poor fellow. could not help heav-
ing 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 altogether
from their society, for they would ridi-
cule 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 resign
edly to her fate. She read awhile
then she took up her embroidery, a
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 feel
ing of distress and fear creep over her.
The sitting room was located at the
rear of the house, and there was a hall
way between it and the front rooms.
She therefore could not hear the usual
street noises. A deathlike 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 con-
fused, and she fell into sound slum-
ber.
1t was 11.O5 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.
II 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
without an umbrella.
"Perhaps Annie has gone to bed,
after ALL" be thought, shivering and
dripping wet. "Shall I 60 to hotel =?
No! What would the people think Z?
The only place know of that may
still be open is the railway depot, for
there is train arriving at mid
night"
He went down the street in the
pouring rain, and at last found him
self in the waiting room of the station.
"a glass of beer, sir" said an enter
prising waiter. Gus shook himself.
He felt chilly. "Punch," he said,
"and make it hot!n He drank one
glass and then another and still
another, to while away the time. He