The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-11-18
THE LATCH KEY.
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.

one month. He did not know u great
deal about women folks, and there
was much in his young wife that puz-
lied him. He was uneasy, constantly
afraid OF doing something to offend.
The idea that she would some day
take flight. offended at something he
had unwirtingiy done TO diSplease her,
and leave him. haunted him. He had
heard of such things happening, and
had always wondered how the hus-
band could stand it. What would he
do if Mollie should take a notion to
run away: Would he dare risk go
ing after her 10 bring her back. or
would he let her take her own course,
CnnoleSred 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
Mollie's smile was not as bright as
usual. her greetings not as loving.
Did women change, he wondered,
after they were married? He tried
no to think about it. the idea pos
seSSed him. and he watched her mar
rowly.
And then it came, the thing lie had
been dreading. The train from the
city was delayed one evening by an
accident. 1t vas quite dark when
Jack reached the door of his coy
little home. Mollie would be worried.
He ran up the steps, bur 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 it a week G and had neg
lccted 10 get a 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
around TO the back door. That
also was locked and every window
tight. Moliie 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 thar MOllie
always KEEP, that locked when he was
way. she had told him so: then, too.
lie would no doubt be taken for a
burglar. and it 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
sieep-if he could only wake her!
Perhaps she was sick. The thought
frightened him. He knocked again
and called her lame frantically. He
must wake her-if she were there
if
The old thought toOk possession of
him. Mollie had left him! He paced
h narrow piazza. p%erSpiration start
ing from his face. He could not stand
1t. She might he dead. Horrible
nightmares assailed him. Had she
really gone-left him: What h;ti he
done to offend her: His kiss in the
morning had been as tender as yer
He hadn't refused to do her errands
in town. He had the pink silk in his
pocket now-if he could only give it
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 be 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 key?
Can't get in: Wait a jihy. I've a skel-
eton. Here. try this"
He pulled a key from his pocket and
ran up the steps to the door, which
Jack was still pounding furiously.
With little effort the door few open
and the two men entered. Jack trem-
bling with fear. hardly daring to stir.
His friend struck n light.
"You look like a ghost. Jack:" 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 a note,
folded neatly, written in a fine. hand.
Dear Hubby" it read, I'm awfully
sorry. A telegram tells me mothers
; terribly sick. L must stay with her
tonight. l 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 mai.
"NIOllie."
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,"
Eyes. and leave the note inside"
growled Jack.