Arizona republican., 1909-06-17

sss Oreat HeaVcnsI' Lhougnt John ID constcrnauon "have the children begun to ask that internal question too?n
 He racked his brains for possible neglected an- niversary
 "Well, what day is it?" he asked. :, "Why, it's mama's birfday." said William tri- umphantly. sssazsssssssasssssSs, ss
 John turned open-mouthed to Edith She had risen and confronting him like angry goddess. The flash of indignation upon her cheek, the tear that sparkled in her eye-and Edith was one of the few women who look pretty in tears-made her fairly ador- able. He thought she had appeared charm ing, when she only sixteen For instant his admiration shone in his glance and the unerring Edith quick 10 detect it. There was opportunity for him to get into her good graces once more Alas! Nemesis must have been guiding him, for what did John do? His admiration faded into an expression of amuse ment He snickered, he chucked, he laughed He sank down in the chair and roared Edith had been SO furiousy angry before. This was adding insult to injury As soon as she could make herself heard she began e
 "For my part, John Gordon, see nothing about which to laugh. You have forgotten my birthday, thing you have never done since we have been married dressed myself to please you, put those chrysanthe nuns on the table because they reminded you always of our wedding day and my birthday had the break fast you liked too-and-and you never noticed any, thing! If it hadn't been for the baby you wouldn't have known whether was dressed or not even forgot my prejudice and ordered that horrid, vulgar liver and bacon-a combination I detest-for you especially. don't believe you even knew what you eating And then, when you came back, thought you had remem- bered and had come to wish me many happy returns and-and--"
 S But, my dear Edith"
 "Dont say word! I never was so unhappy in my life! It is quite evident that you do not for me now that am getting old All you think of is com fort comfort and your children And I'm forty and married to a man who has ceased to love me at all It's bad enough to be forty without being so neglected and so onesome!"
 Here Edith put her head down in her hands and be- gan to cry again. John sober enough now, al- though the remains of his amusement were plainly visible It was William who broke in.
 Papa you're bad to my mama. I don't love you any more"
 William said John gravely, ask mama the date of her birthday" .,
 ~Thoughtless, cruel, forgetful man., sobbed Edith, Che can't even remember the date It's November 5th if you will have it!
 q thought sol" said John and Edith, my dearest wife, do you realize that to-day is the third of Noven- ber and your birthday isn't until day after tomorrow
 John Gordon, you are deceving me! It's of your ways of getting out" / Look at the calendar, my dear," said John. "You see?"
 Poor Edith She was certainly two days ahead. She stood looking at John in hopeless dismay. John making hercuean effort to restrain his mrth but it was impossible Edith didn't know whether to continue weeping join in his laughter, it all fearfully unromantic. William also waiting to which way the wind blowing Finally Edith caught the infec- ton of her husbands humor and joined in his glee Williams hgh-ptched saccato tril made an appropriate obgato for the merry conjugal duet
 We'll the thing has out" said John, in his matteroffac way feeling in his waistcoa pocket since you have arranged this day for your birthday. might as well give you the present was keeping for you,' handing her little packet With eager fingers she tore it open, disclosing the radiant pearl There little slip of paper enclosed in the golden circe of the ring.
 Read it." said John.
 To Edith, pearl among 5sires.
 From her l0ger aud hRsb1nd" Yes and the signed to it not John bu, Jack" and there he stood fat, unromantc rather rl different to dress blushng like girl
 Edith flung her arms around his neck kissed him en thusasticaly, then held him at arms length.
 John Gordon" she said, severely. you really too provoking How unromantic of you! Now yo. = have gone and spoiled my birthday by giving ny present; to-daylH