The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1912-04-04
MYSTERY OF THE
LOCKLESS KEY
Love Found a Way to Over
come an Obstacle.

not name it-and was one day stand
ing on the beach looking at the bather
when saw bathing master run 70
the water. jump In and swim from IN
shore. A woman had swum out IA
beyond her depth and was seen to g
down. She was brought ashore in Al
unconscious condition. having sunl
twice before the man reached her.
assisted IN her restoration. persistinl
after others had given her up. ant
brought her back to consciousness
While working over her ! noticed
around her neck gold chain to which
was attached a 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 a lounge. dressed In a becoming
morning gown.
Il suppose ] must thank you FOG
bringing me back to Hfe." she said.
though would be more grateful had
you let me die
you have experienced a 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 as II
to assure herself that something abe
carried there had not been lost
your key Is safe" said i kept
an eye on Il while we were working
with y0u and saw you grasp Il the mo-
ment you revived"
Itoccurred to me to make an attempt
70 thaw this woman out OF her melan-
choly. ! spent two months at the 70
sort. meeting her constantly on the |
beach and being with her IN sailing /
parties and other amusements. sue.
ceeded In restoring her to a normal
condition. but in doing 80 lost my
heart
well remember the evening ! asked
her TO be my wife We were sitting
on a veranda overlooking the beach
Through sheer kindness" / said. Il
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 a sudden elutchlng for
the key.
Tell me-" I said-'I have earned
your eonfdence-wh what is the mystery
Of this keysv
Listen" she replied. ''and you shall
know
Il am a married woman. Words can
never express an 1 have endured from
my husband After a long course Of
brutality be left me. Before doing 50
be hung this key about my neck. with
the words: I am going to be a wander
ar and may never return ! give you
one chance FOR happiness. II you can
ind the lock that the key fits. you will ;
earn something that may prove Of
great importance 70 you He believed
hat / could never ind II and wished
'nly to tantalize me. though I could
lever understand why. Now have q
ancy that In that box there may be
that would release me from \
ny legal connection with him"
Why do you think that1" e
From hints he dropped from time to
ime.r IL
show me the key"
She did so. and ! examined II close u
?. It was neither a door key nor al n
runk key. II looked rather as II ifl q
tied the wards Of lock intended to y
eep valuables- studied the matter Z.
Or some time. then said: q
Il can understand how a woman z
TouId consider the problem impossible :
solution To a man It looks com 5
aratively easy. Conide the matter to
ie. and viii see what I can do"
She took the chain and key from her 3
eek and handed them to me. Then, 3
ithout looking further into the future, 3
Dplng for something's did not know 3
hat-I left her and the next day ~ =
Irned TO the city. 3
We met again In SIX weeks.
Il have solved the problem Of the 2
~" said. "
She was too excited to speak. and ! 3
tx
Il had a hundred duplicates Of the o
y made, then sent one to every safe 3
deposit company IN each Of the lar &
r cities Of the United States, asking 3
e manager II It would ct any Of bis q
apartments used for storing valua. 3
Is. Last night received a letter 8
Dm the president Of a St. Louis com "
ny stating that the key would open "
IN their vaults standing w
your name ~
'Well" she asked breathlessly. ri;
That Is all I know. VIII you 90 w
ere to learn the restY nv
4 VIII start tonight" az
Within seek she returned ana. RI;
shed with excitement, told me that w
e bad found valuable securities that QN
e supposed her husband had squan. 6lE
red; also a confession that he had IA,
rved a term IN the penItenuary for w
nj defalcatlon ~
Before he married your / asked so
Yes" w
You knew nothing Of thIsTv X
NO. w
There will be little trouble in e. so