The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1904-01-15
The Broken
House Key

ried her dear Gus and had followed
him to his home in W, and al
ready he had begun to neglect her to
90 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 to pass an agreeable hour or two
in their company over friendly
game of whist; but she simply did
not comprehend how he could even
think of going anywhere without
taking her along.
"0h the dreadful evenings have
to spend" she complained with tears
in her eyes. II am obliged to sit
here all alone because have as yet
had no chance to form any acquaint.
ances here. Naturally get home
sick. Often feel like leaving every
thing and taking the train home TO
my parents ~
Would it not be better, darling, II
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 stran-
gers that flock to q well-known
health resort like this. Nothing is
impossible under such circum-
stances!"
The husband looked thoughtfully
at.rhis sweet bride.
&''Ns. dear, l do not want you to
frighten yourself into illness. prom
ise you herewith, of my own free
win (the poor fellow could not help
,heaying sigh as he said this), to re-
turn promptly at II o'clock whenever
go to meet my friends. 1t is impos-
sible sGc ..a to withdraw from their
society altogether, for they would
ridicule and make fun of me- and call
me henpeeked. Burglars rarely put
in their appearance before the hour
Of II, the streets being full of life
and traffic. Good-by, darling, and
please do not feel lonesome"
Annie sighed and submitted resign
edly to her fate. She read awhile;
she then took up her embroidery, a
present for her mother; she played q
game OF solitaire, and finally she
paced restlessly up and down the
room. At home there had been a
large family circle, hence it was very
| trying to her to be left 30 much to
| herself in her new surroundings.
At ten o'clock even the familiar
noises in. the kitchen ceased, for the
servant had gone upstairs to her at
tic, and the poor woman felt the old
feeling OF distress and fright creep
over her; the sitting-room was locat-
ed to the rear of the house, and there
was hallway between it and the
front rooms. She therefore could
not hear the usual street noises. A
death-likc silence reigned in the room.
Tired, and yet excited, she threw
herself on the lounge. she sadly re-
fectcd why beer houses and card par
ties had been called into existence.
By and by her thoughts became more
and more confused, and she fell into
sound slumber.
1t was 1t.05 when Gus arrived
brsathlecsly and post haste at his
house door and tried to At 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--al in vain.
II hardly think my wife has retired
as early ns this" he reflected, "but.
Of course, she is In the sitting-room,
end 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
1t commenced to rain, and he was
without an umbrella.
"Perhaps Annie has gone to bed
after ALL" he thought, shivering and
dripping wet. "Shall | go to hotel?
No! What would the people think?
The only place that l know OF that
may still be open is the railway
depot, for there is train arriving at
midnight"
He went down the street In the
pouring rain, and at last found him
self in the waiting-room OF the sta
tion.
"A glass of beer, sir?" asked an
erterprising waiter. Gus shook him
self. He felt chilly. "Punch," he
said, "and make it hot!" He drank
one glass, and then another, and still
another, TO while away the time. He
was the only person thefe, 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.
II was one o'clock when he emerged
into the street, and II had ceased TO
rain. The full moon seemed to grin
and wink at him maliciously through
the clouds MS though she meant to
say: "See, old man, ii serves you
right Why must you go out TO play
cards and leave your wife at home
in lonelinesss?"
In spite of the repeated potations
he still felt chilly. There ia no help
for il but q good rum" he said 70