The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-06-19

Great Heavens" thought john in CONSERVATION,
have the children begun to ask tha; internal question
soo?"
He rackcd his brains for possible neglected an
nversary.
"Wcl, what day is it," he asked
why, its mamas birfday" said William, tn
umphantly
John turned opcn-mouhcd to Edith She had risen
and confronting him like angry goddess. The
fash of indignation upon her check, the tear that
sparkled in her eye-and Edith was one of the few
who look pretty tcars-nladc her fairly ador-
able He thought she had appeared more charm
ing, when she only For an instant his
admiration shonc in his glance and the uncrrng Edith
quick to detect it There was an opportunity for
him to get into her good graccs Alasi
Nemesis must have been guiding him. for what did John
do' His admiration faded into expression of amuse
ment He snickered, he ohucklcd he laughed He sank
down in the nearest chair and roared Edith had never
been furiousy angry before This was adding insult
to injury AS she could make herself heard she
began
For my part, John Gordon | see nothing about
which TO laugh You have forgotten my birthday
thing You have done have been married
dressed myself to please you put those chrysauthc-
the table because they reminded you always
of wedding day and my birthday l had the break
fast you liked, too-and-and you never noticed any,
thing II it hadn't been for the baby you wouldn't have
known whether was dressed not | even forgot my
prejudice and ordered that horrid vulgar liver and
bacon-a combination dctest-for you especially 1
don't believe you knew what you eating And
thcn when you came back, thought you had rcnlcm-
bercd and had come to wish me many happy returns
and-and-"
But my dear Edith"
Don't say word / was so unhappy in my
life 1t is quite evident that you do care for me
now that / am getting old All you think of is conf
fort comfort and your children And I'm forty and
married to man who has ceased love nc at all It's
bad enough to be forty without being neglected and
so lonesomel"
Here Edith put her head down in her hands and be-
gan to cry again. John sober enough now, al
though tho remains of his amusement plainly
visible 1t was William who broke i'll.
Papa you're bad to my mama. l don't love you
any more"
William said John, gravcly a ask the date
of her birthday
"ThoughtlcSs, cruel, forgctful man." sobbcd Edith
che can't even remember the date It's November 5th
if you will have it
IL thought sol" said John, and Edith, my dearest
wife do you realize that to-day is the third of Novem
bcr and your birthday isn't until day after tomorrow
"Iofn Gordon you arc dcccving mel It's Of
your ways Of getting out"
Look at the calendar, my DEAR, said John. You
sce?'
Poor Edith SHE certainly two days ahead She
stood looking al John in hopeless dismay John
making hcrcuean effort restrain his mirth but 1t
was impossible Edith didn't know whether to continue
weeping or join his laughter, it ali so fearfully
unromantc William also waiting TO see which way
the wind was blowing Finally Edith caught the infec-
ton OF her husbands humor and joined in his glcc
Williams h-ptchcd trill made appropriate
obligato for the merry conjugal duet
WELL now the thing has OUT said john in his
matter-o fact way feeling i'll 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 opcn disclosing the radiant pearl. There was little
slip of paper enclosed in the golden circct of the ring
Read it," said John.
ITO Ediih. pearl among 7cfves.