The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-08
THE BROKEN KEY.

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 10 pass an
agreeable 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. II 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, il
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 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?"
"Are not the papers every day full Of
burglaries and robberies?" she persisted.
"Think of the many strangers that flock
to a we'll known health resort like this
Nothing is impossible under such cir
cumstances J"
The husband looked thoughtfully at
his sweet bride.
brighten yourself into illness. / 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 go to meet my
friends 1t 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 IL, the streets being
full of life and traffic. Goodby, darling.
and please do not feel lonesome.
Annie sighed and submitted resigned
" to her fate. She read awhile; she
then took up her embroidery, a present
for her mother; she played game Cd
solitaire, and finally she paced restlessly
up and down the room. At home there
had been large family circle; hence il
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 therefor,
| could not hear the usual noises. A death
| like silence reigned in the room. Tiret
| and yet excited, she threw herself on thu
lounge She sadly reflected why bee
houses and card parties had been called
into existence. By and by her Thought
| became more and more confused, ant
she fell into a sound slumber.
1t was IL :05 o'clock when Gus arrives
breathlessly and post haste at his hous'
| door and tried to fit his key into tn
lock.
Poor fellow Had evil spirits con
spired to get him into trouble? Click
the key broke in two, and the bit stucl
fast in the keyhole, handle and barre
alone remaining in his hands.
He knocked, he called, he knocket
again and louder-for unfortunatel,
there was no house bell-all in vain. :"
hardly think my wife has retired as earl.
as this. +" he reflected, but Of course sh'
is in the sitting room, and most hkel.
she cannot hear me-" Once more b,
knocked-this time very loud. He Gale,
until his voice was hoarse. No reply.
To fill his cup of misery to the brin
il commenced TO rain. and he was with
ont an umbrella.
perhaps Annie has gone to bed, aft
err all, ;" he-thought. shivering and drip
ping wet "Shall 60 TO hotelf No
I What would the people think The onl
place that know of that may still b
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 II
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, "an'
make it hot 80 He drank one glass AM
then another, and still another, 10 Will
away the time. He was the only persol
there. In due time the last train ha'
arrived, and he could stay no longer
They were about to close up.
In sheer desperation he looked at hi
watch.
II was o'clock when he emerge'
into the street, and il had ceased &
rain. The full moon seemed TO grin AM
wink at him maliciously through tn
clouds, us though she meant to say
"See. old man. il serves you right VIII,
must you go out to play cards and leav'
your wife at home in loneliness
In spite of the repeated potations h
still felt chilly. "There is no help for 1
but a good rum" he said to himself
starting ON a lively trot through th'