The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-05-11
THE BROKEN KEY.

The young and pretty bride felt wor-
ried and out of sorts. Only short eight
weeks ago she married her dear 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 alto
gether neglect his former friends and
companions and that she ought not to
object to his meeting them on two even
ings every week and to pass an agreea-
BILE hour or two in their company over
a friendly game of whist, but she sim
ply did not comprehend how he could
enjoy himself without her; how he
could ever think Of going anywhere
without taking her along.
"Oh, the dreadful evenings have to
spendp' 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 acquaintance here.
Naturally get homesick. Often feel
like leaving everything and taking the
train home to my parents. =
Would it not be better, darling, if
you went to bed and tried to sleep?''
"That is just where the trouble is, -
she replied, still in tears. IT 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 hap
penn"
''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 f"
The husband looked thoughtfully at
his sweet bride.
"No, dear; do not want you to
brighten yourself into illness Ipromise
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 II, the streets being
full of life and traffic. Goodby, darling
and please do not feel lonesome. =
Annie sighed and submitted resigned
ly 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
deathlike silence reigned in the room.
Tired and yet excited, she threw herself
on the lounge. She sadly reflected why
beerhouses and card parties had been
called into existence. By and by her
thoughts became more and more con-
fused, and she fell into a sound slumber.
1t was 1905 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.
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 with
out an umbrella.
Perhaps Annie has gone to bed aft
er all, !" he thought, shivering and drip
ping wet. "Shall go to hotel? Mol
What would the people think The only
place that know of that may still be
open is the railway depot, for there is a
train arriving at midnight.
He went down the street in pouring
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 hotp 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 O'Clock when he emerged into
the street, and it had ceased to rain.
The full moon seemed to grin and wink
at him maliciously 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 loneliness2"
In spite of the repeated rotations he
still felt chilly. There is no help for
it but good run" 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 A.
/ cAi11 10 oo-1,~ T., 900 s~41 &lo