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

The young and pretty bride felt wor.
ricd 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 ont 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 al agreca
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
spendr' she complained, with tears in
her eyes. II am obliged to sit here all
alone because / have Us yet had nt
chance to form any acquaintances here.
Naturally get homesick. Often / feel
like leaving everything and taking the
train nome 10 my parents.
Would il not be better, darling, /
you went TO bed 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 then
to be- afraid Of? What Is going to hap
pen?"
Are not the papers every day full
burglaries and robberies?" she persisted
"Think of the many strangers that fiocI
to well known health resort like this
Nothing is impossible under such cir
cumstanccs.
The husband looked thoughtfully a
his sweet bride.
"No, dear; I do not want You {,
frighten yourself into illness. Ipromise
you herewith Of my own free will"-ths
poor fellow could not help heaving o
sigh us he said this-''to return promptl,
ut IL o'clock whenever l go to meet my
friends. IL is impossible for me to with
draw myself from their society alto
gether, for they would ridicule nnG
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. G0odby, darling,
and please do not feel lonesome.
Annie sighed and submitted resigned
" 10 her fate She read awhile. She
then took up her embroidery. present
for her mother. She played game OF
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 sic.
ting room was located ut the rear Of the
house. and there was hallway between
il and the front rooms. She therefors
could not hear the usual noises. A
deathlike silence reigned in the room.
Tired and yet excited. she threw herself
OH the lounge. She sadly reflected why
beerhouses and card parties had been
called into existence. By and by hei
thoughts became more and more con
fused, and she fell into sound slumber.
II was 1905 O'Clock when Gus arrived
breathlessly and posthaste at his house
door and tried 10 fit his key into the
lock.
Poor fellowl Had evil spirits con-
spired to get him into trouble? Click
the key broke i'll two, and the bit stuck
fast in the keyhole, handle and barrel
alone remaining i'll his hands.
He knocked, he called, he knocked
again and louder-for unfortunately
there was no house bell; all i'll vain.
IT 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? No!
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 i'll the
waiting room of the station.
"a glass Of beer, sir:" asked an en-
terprising waiter. Gus shook himself.
4 Shattered Nervous System.