The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-05-10
MYSTERY OF The
LOCKLESS KEY
Love Found a Way to Over
come an Obstacle.

lantiy SeaconSt resort would rather
not mime it--and was one day stand
ing OH the beach looking at the bathers
when saw IL bathing master run for
the water. jump in and swim from the
| shore \ woman had swum out far
! beyond her depth and was seen to go
down She was brought ashore in an
unconscious condition. having sunk
| twice before the man reached her. l
assisted in her restoration. perSisting
after others had given her up. and
brought her back to consciousness.
While working over her | noticed
around her neck a gold chain to which
was attached Il singular looking key.
Her first act after opening her eyes
was to grasp the key.
Later sent to her rooms at her hotel
to learn of her condition and was in
vited up to her parlor. She was lying
on IL lounge. dressed in becoming
morning gown.
II suppose | must thank you for
bringing me back to life" she said,
though would be more grateful had
you let me die"
you have experienced great trou-
ble." | said. when we suffer we
think there is no more happiness in
store for us
She put her hand to her bosom us if
to assure herself that something she
carried there had not been lost.
"Your key is safe" said. II kept
an eye on it while we We're working
with you and saw you grasp it the mo-
ment you revived"
1t occurred to me to make an attempt
to thaw this woman out Of her melan'
choly. spent two months ut the re-
sort, meeting her constantly OH the
beach and being with her in sailing
parties and other umusements sue.
ceeded in restoring her to u normal
condition. but in doing so l lost my
heart.
we'll remember the evening l asked
her to be my wife. We were sitting
on u veranda overlooking the beach.
"rhrough sheer kindness" said, II
have tried to bring you to a more
healthful frame of mind. Now wish
to see you happy that you may make
me happy"
Her reply was sudden clutching for
the key.
Tell me-" | said-"l have earned
your contidence-what is the mystery
of this key?"
Listen" she replied. land you shall
know
II am Il married woman. Words can
never express all l have endured from
my husband. After Il long course of
brutality he left me. Before doing SO
he hung this key about my neck, with
the words: I am going to be Il wander.
err and may never return. I give you
one chance for happiness. If you can
find the lock that the key fits, you will
learn something that may prove of
great Importance TO you. He believed
that could never find it and wished
only to tantniiZe me. though could
fancy that in that box there may be
something that would release ne from
my legal connection with him"
"Why do you think that"'
From hints he dropped from time to
time"
SHOW me the key"
She did so. and l examined it close
~. 1t was neither IL door ley nor a
trunk key. 1t looked rather as if it
fitted the wards of Il lock intended TO
keep valuables studied the matter
for some time then said
Il cam understand how IL woman
would consider the problem Impossible
Of solution TO man 1t lo,;s con,
pnrntively easy. Contide the matter to
me, and will see what can Go
She took the chain and key f:'oln her
neck and handed them to ~, Then.
witlou: looklng further into TIE future.
hoping for something's Gil rpt !;nHN
WHAT left her and the naai haN re-
turned to the city
We met again i, six Weeks
II have solved the p:oi'ie;, OF The
key" said
She was too excited to speak. and
continued:
| II had !; hundred duplicates .! the
key made. then sent one TO every safe
ty deposit company IN each Of the lnl-
ger cities of tho United States H%,iir-
thu. manager If 1t would iii any Of his
conMrt, nents used for storing vulua-
blcs Last night received II letter
from the president Of Il st. Louis com
pany stating that the Ec,' wnal open
q compartment in their vaults NuntliM:.
In your name"
Well" she asked breaihlrss'ly,
THAT is all | know. Will lou 70
there to learn the rcst"
II will start tonight"
Within Il week she returned and,
flushed with excitement. told me- that
she had found valuable securities that
she supposed her husband had Suu III
dered: nl;o Il confession that II" had
served II term in the penit,Hi'iHv for
that defHlcAtion