The L'Anse sentinel., 1920-12-03
THE LATCH KEY.
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.

Il
Jack. Martin had been married but
one month. He did not know great
deal about women folks, and there
was much In his young wife that puz-
zled him. He was uneasy. constantly
afraid of doing something to offend.
The idea that she would some day
take fight, offended at something he
had unwittingly done to dlsplease her,
and leave him. haunted him. He had
heard of such things happening, and
had always wondered how the hus-
band could stand 1t. What would he
do II Mollle should take notion to
run away? Would he dare risk go-
ing after her to bring her back, or
| would he let her take her own course,
unmOlested by him? He tried his best
to please, but could not always be
sure that he succeeded Women were
so hard to suit. He imagined that
Molies smile was not as bright as
usual, her greetings not as loving.
Did women change he wondered,
after they were married? He tried
not to think about it, the idea pos
sessed him, and he watched her mar
rowly.
And then 1t came, the thing he had
been dreading. The train from the
city was delayed one evening by an
accident. 1t was quite dark when
Jack reached the door of his cozy
| little home. Molie would be worried.
He ran up the steps, but the house
| was dark. There was no little wife
| In the doorway to greet him. What
could have happened? He fumbled
nervously In his pocket for his latch
| key; then he remembered that he
| had lost 1t week ago and had neg
| lected to get new one. Mollie had
| always been there to let him take
her key. 1t flashed upon him all at
once-perhaps she was asleep. He
knocked loudly. Still no answer. He
went around to the back door. That
also was locked, and every window
tight. Mollie was afraid when alone.
He could raise no one. What was to
be, done? He might perhaps climb
to the piazza roof and try the bedroom
window, but he reflected that Mollie
always kept that locked when he was
away, she had told him so; then, too,
| he would no doubt be taken for q
burglar, and 1t would be awkward.
! He found himself In the uncomfortable
position Of being locked out of his
| own house. Mollie might have become
| tired of waiting and dropped Off to
| sleep--if he could only wake her!
| Perhaps she was sick. The thought
| frightened him. He knocked again
| and called her name frantically. He
must wake her-lf she were there
| If
The old thought took possession of
| him. Mollie had left him He paced
! the narrow piazza, perspiration start
| ing from his face. He could not stand
| ii. She might be dead. Horrible
| nightmares assaied him. Had she
really gone-left him? What had he
| done to offend her? His kiss in the
| morning had been as tender as ever.
! He hadn't refused TO do her errands
D in town. He had the pink silk In his
| pocket now--lf he could only give 1t
to her! His wearied mind tried to
| think of something he had done to
| anger her, but he could find nothing.
| She had been more loving than usual
| that morning, he remembered with a
| sigh. She must he dead or she would
| hear his. pounding and open the door.
| His knocks ought to wake the dead
| even.
"Hello, Jack What's up?" called a
| familiar voice. "Lost your latch keyf
Can't get in? Wait jffy, I've skel-
eton. Here, try this"
He pulled key from his pocket and
ran up the steps to the door, which
Jack was still pounding furiously.
with little effort the door flew open
| and the two men entered, Jack trem-
| bling with fear, hardly daring to stir.
| His friend struck light.
"You look like a ghost, JackT he
laughed. "Your wife locked you out,
did she? Well. pay her back some
| day."
| They entered the dining room, where
the table was spread with dainties for
his late supper, and there lay note,
folded neatly, written In fine hand.
"Dear Hubby" 1t read "Pm awfully
sorry. A telegram tells me mothers
terribly sick. / must stay with her
tonight. I tried to get you on the
phone, but couldn't. Your supper's
| all ready for you. SO sorry to be
| away. I'll be back in the morning.
You'll find the key under the mat.
| "Molle."
Jack whistled "Just like a wom-
| an" he muttered
His friend laughed heartily. why
didn't you think Of the mat?" he
| chuckled. That's where they always
put IT,"