The daily Alaskan., 1911-11-22

dsre blue was Aueusus Clsrks espe- ciai abhorrence
 Fer several dsss sitter this trip to the city Ann Elizabeth Clark was vegy thouehfful She moved about her pretty uiile houig with grave gray eyes. and occasionally she smiled de mpnely, or again Ind tears rame un- bidden Co her lsshes Anemus, busy about the tarm and attending to the manifold dutics connected with his dairy, dld hot ehsen'e the change 10 his wife.
 One night be came In 10 supper tired and hungry. rhe Kitchen was immac- ulately clean, bright coal ire ciowed in the stove. and the kettle sang soft ly. There was DO Sl gn of supper. ai- though e was flfteen minutes psst the usual hour The dining room table was not even lsld For the eveniue meal. while Ann Elizabeth sat in the sitting room embrotHering a center. piece with dainuly placed stitches
 Whats ihe matterI' demanded Ar. temus, in surprise. Had company
 "No. whyy" Ann looked up pleas anily.
 "Nothing, only thought It was funny supper wasn't ready said Ar temus rather grumbIlugly
 Why, you can ba''e it now If yeu want it" Ann spoke in a surprised tone. just as if Arierhus' request wss what she had been waiting for She hustled about the reoms, while her husband louneed near the Iamp read ing the paper
 ~Wbat you got?" he asked hungrily as he came In resptInse to her eah. "Ham sud eggs, pears and cake. 1 was hoping you'd fri some parsnips. You know ] can newer set enough of them, he said in a disappointed tone.
 Would you Ike some parsnipsg Why didn't you ass mey' returned Ann briskly. "Tn frs some at once. She fitted into the Kitchen, and soon the spuuering brown 'tlices were placed before her husband.
 Artemus ate his supper in silence. There was somethinF peculiar about his wife's demeanor that he could not understand.
 Re watched Ann furtively as she few about doing up the evenings work. At last she came and sat down near him aud took out her embroidery once more. Artemus looked at it re sentfuly. almost jealously. She had told him it was tO be a wedding pres ent for Jennie Beake. ana Miss Beasa was to marry one Of Ann kllEsbeths old admirers.
 From these facts Artemus deducted thst while his wife stitched at a cen terpiece to adorn the parior table or one Of her old lovers. he tAr'emus, her husbandl sat before her with a large hole ir the toe of his sock.
 But Ann Elizabeth was absorbed in her ueediewurk and did not notice that Artcmus had worked oft hiS slip per and that the hole in bis sock was ualnfuuy in evidence. At last he spoke rather grossly:
 Seems as it you might find time Go mend my clothes
 "Wby. do mend them, Art What ls It powy" Ann looked co him with Hftcd browS.
 That" complained Ariemus. wrig. rlinr the peeninr toc. ~lt's conrounded uncomfortable. ! tel you
 "lt must be" said Ann symraihet- icaIy. Want me to mend ity"
 "If you please, said Artemus meckly.
 When he reached bis bedroom door that night Mr Clari; stared uncOm' preheudinciy Bt the disorder that met his gaze. The bed WIS just as be bad left it that morning. untidy, unmade. His clothes were strewn Hbout, and there was a general air ot neglect over the place that was vtry disbeartening to a man wbo had slilyed all day and who had waited for the last hour in pleasant anticipation of the comfort. able bed that awaited his weary body.
 He stepped Co the dbor or his wife g room and looked in An was in apple pie order, ImmaculsteIy clean, with the white dimBy spread turned down from tBe inviting bed Ann stood be- fore the window letting down her shower of yellow haii, Artemus hes itated for @ moment He wondered f Ann had been too busy or tired Co make his bed. and yet she had never found Jt a trying task before.
 Suddenly Ann turned and saw him there. heSitaung "Di1 you want any thing, A1emusE she asked pleasantly.
 Ny bed, replied her husband "I guess you forgot t. Ann. It Isn't made"
 "ru make it now" said Ann with out surprise or apology. passing into bis room. With a lew deft move ments she went to and fro, picking up things, replacing them ln wardrobe or dresser making the bed into com fortable couch.
 Much obliged said Artemus swk- vsrdly.
 "You're welcome" isaid Ann cheer fully. Whenever yeU want anything. Art, just ask for it, md m do any thing you want Be sure and ssk me. Good night"
 Artemus lay In puzzled valentines