Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-06-29

He felt chilly. Punch" he said, land
make 1t 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 no 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 IL had ceased to rain.
The full moon seemed to grin and wink
st him maliciousiy through the clouds,
ms though she meant to say: "See, old
man, it serves you right Why must you
20 ont to play cards and leave your wife
at home in loneliness?"
In spite of the repeated potations he
still felt chilly. "There is no help for
il but good run, he said to himself,
starting on lively trot through the
city, first down one street, then up xn.
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.
"It 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 I can stand this no
longer. I must have something hot tG
drink and sit down somewhere. Ther
il a train mt 4 o'clock. And forthwith
he once more wended his way to the
railroad depot.
A snug corner and cup Of hot coffee
somewhat restored him. But he wa
very tired, and pretty soon he was al
sound asleep in his corner as his wife
had been the night before ON her lounge.
And how did his wife fare? She
awoke in the middle of the night with
q start. almost frightened out OF hei
wits 10y horrid dream, in which hei
husband had appeared before her.
wounded. bleeding and torn by huge
bloodhounds Pretty soon, towever, she
comprehended the situation. Her face
bathed in tears. she paced restlessly up
and down the room, wringing her hands.
"Oh, the wretch! To stay out all night
Just 10 think Of i'll Such man has the
effrontery 10 talk to me Of love. Not
content to act like q villain, he eveL
had 10 make fun Of me last night by
pretending be would henceforth be home
at IL O'Clock Who would ever have
thought him so base? They close the
beerhouse after midnight; hence he
cannot pretend to be playing cards there
all night. Heaven only knows where he
is spending the night, in whose COM
pany he is enjoying himself, while l.
But he'll find that am not his dupe. ]
shall leave him at once. There is a train
at o'clock in the morning which am
going to take and go home to my par
ents."
At 5 O'Clock she called the serving
maid, whom she sent to the garret for a
valise and commenced 10 pack. The
maid said nothing, and she was surpris.
ed that her master had not risen and
did not help his wife. However, she
made the coffee and went after cab.
The front door was wide open and
locksmith busy with the big lock when
Annie appeared in the hall. The land
lady ran to meet her, exclaiming in a
hurry Of excitement: did you hear
about il. madam A thief was here last
night and made an attempt 10 enter the
house. Some one must have frightened
him off. He left broken key stuck fast
in the lock, and was unable to unlock
the door had to call from the window
until aroused u neighbor, who ran for
locksmith. Now am going to have Il
patent lock put on and spoil their little
game. But you look very pale. my deai
madam. / am sorry to have frightened
you with my burglar story. Are yoa go
ing to take ride 10 early this morn
ing?"
Annie nodded ard passed ON. She was
glad that the woman had not seen hei
valise, which her maid had already put
into the cab.
"What a narrow escape l had last
night! How near came being robbed
perhaps worser' She was now thor.
oughly angry. So much more reason foi
leaving the fellow. no matter what the
onsequences. For the present shall
remain with my parents" Thus mus
ing, she arrived at the depot.
Before purchasing her ticket she in
tended to leave her valise in the wait.
ing room. Annie entered and made fol
AL empty table, when suddenly she drop
ned the valise and almost screamed
aloud. Wasn't that her husband, her
Gus, sitting there in corner and snor'
ing loud enough to make everybody In
the room smile at his nasal powers? He
looked tired and worn, and his garments
appeared damp. How did he get here,
and why was he In such dilapidated
condition! She stood for moment un.
decided and unable to take her eyes of
his drawn, worncit features.
Suddenly the sleeper opened his eyes.
Whatever the outcome, she must avoid
a scene in public room. Anything but
that. The walters had more than once
looked wonderingly ut the man who had
drunk three cups of coffee and then fall
en- asleep hours ago. Annie tried to ap-
pear quite unconcerned and took seat
beside her husband. Somehow her anger
had suddenly vanished.
"Oh. darling, what brought me-
mean rather what brought you-herel'
he asked, astonished at the unexpected
appearance of his wife dressed for q
journey.
Never mind, dear. Don't bother
about that now," she whispered.
"Come, let us ride home, where / will
explain all. +"