Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-08-13
THE ANNIVERSARY.

had dreamed, as most of us do, of the
fumblin' little hands, the snugglin' little
face, of our very own, and the crown of
motherhood had been denied her In the
minute / stood there silent | understood,
and my heart ached for her. Disappoint
ment had changed her world, and the
days and weeks of lonely brooding, while
he was away, had changed h>,, too
Droppin' dowr by the couch, 1 put my
arms about her, and did my beg to
comfort her.
Il know, missus," / whispered when
she had grown quiet. But it's wrong
to grieve There's many worse troubles
than yours. You have your husband"
MY husband cares nothing for met"
she cried. y am shut out of his lifei"
you shut yourself out, dearie,'' said
gently Il am sure of it. I'm only
'Omely Liz No man will ever call me
wife now, but | think | can understand
why you two have gone apart. and I'd
like to see you happy together again.
Little children come to bind affection
closer, true enough, and where the bless
in is denied the greater the call for lovin'
kindness That's where you've failed,
dearie. Forgive me if | hurt you by my
plain speakin', but it seems to me you've
lived with disappointment so long it's
made you bitter. A man is made differ
ent to us; he is of coarser clay. He
would not understand why you should
continue to fret"
He was too busy making a position
to care!" she cried
oh MOI" / said "TIe cared; but I
think he would care more to see the
change in YOU 1t would grieve him to
see you so different. Things do not
come to such a pass between man am
wife until one despairs of rekindlirg af-
lection. If the years have been wretched
for you, they have been as much to
him: and because he has found no pleas
ure in his home life he has been tempted
to seek it with friends, so widening the
gulf between YOU. Why not meet him
tonight with a smilin' face, an say
you're sorry. l know he would smile,
too. and that his arms would hold you.
You are together for better or worse
for maybe many years. Why not always
for better?"
He has ceased to care!" she said bit
terly. HE would turn from me with
a taught"
Il think not, dearie,' I said quietly.
III have seen the look in his eyes when
,you have left the room, and | know he,
too is wretched. Make it up today!"
foday!" she cried. To-day is the
anniversary of our wedding day For
the first four years he marked it with
gift; he has forgotten it altogether
now!"
"Oh, MOI" | said, smiling confidently.
Meet him when he comes home tonight
as | want you to, and see if he has for
gotten. 1t seems such a pity YOU should
be bad friends. Listen to me. dearie!"
And, very quietly, l told her about
my last place
She heard me through, and at the end
lay back, with the glistenin' tears in her
eyes.
Thank you. Lizzie!" she said
That was all; but | Jumped up smil-
in, because knew / had won her round.
Now, listen, ma'am!' / said. 1--WE
got plan. He'll be home, as usual. at
: for dinner, Wen have special spread
in honor of the day, and you shall be
waitin' for him in your wedding dress!"
My wedding dress!" she cried. ooh.
no, Liz; it's hopelessly old fashioned! |
should look fright!'
Wen see you don't" l said. Gle is
going to come into the room. and find
his old sweetheart, and. Just as sure,
you will End him again."
You think so, Liz" she cried, trem-
bling.
Sure of it,"
Come and dig out the dress. she said.
And, laughin' at or pleasant thoughts,
we tripped upstairs.
The rest of that day, until the usual
hour of his Homecoming, passed like a
dream. The difference in the missus
you'd hardly credit. She seemed another
woman altogether Now that her mind
was given to it, nothing must 90 amiss.
| His favorite dishes must be cooked;
there must be flowers on the table. his
slippers must be in the fender; every
thing must be Just as he liked it
At . O'Clock she went upstairs to
dress. As put on my best apron
heard her quietly smgin'. When she
called me to see how she looked | stood
IAN smiled. because for some reason
couldn't say word.
The white silk dress fitted her perfect
ly; her eyes were shinin' the smilin'
lips had given new expression to her
face.
She looked a happy, blushin' bride.
Shall l do, Lizzie?" she said. with
a playful cutesy.
oh, ma'am, YOU look beautifulre
exclaimed
You think he'll know mes she said.
You'll see" | answered, laughin
From behind my back | h.'l art The
spray of flowers / had got from the j op
with the others downstairs.
Il want you to wear this. ma'am." |
said. Let me fasten it in your cown!'
A bunch of rosemary" she cried
For remembrance. ma'am."
Thank YOU Lizzie" she said Quietly.
pressin' my hand; an smiling happily,
we went !own the stairs.
When YOU want dinner served. vouIl
please ring, ma'am" / said. as | turned
for the kitchen. It's nearly : In ten
minutes he'll be here 3"
As the clock struck | stJod with the