The daily Alaskan., 1916-07-21
MT. DingeeIs Dinner
 a
  Story of a Marriage Anniversary.
By CLARISSA MACKE

The day Silas Dingee married Maud Ball he declared that never beforehand he known real happiness. He swore that the anniversary of that blessed day which ended his bachelor loneli- ness would be more to him than all the holidays In the calendar together A cynical friend at his farewell bach elor dinner the night before had said to him:
 "Si I'm sorry for you Tomorrow you go to serve your life long term of regulation. Farewell independence. Farewell a jolly night at the club Farewell cocktails; they'll taint your breath. Farewell cigars; they'll make the curtains smell. Goodby, Si The matrimonial prison doors will soon close behind you"
 You dried up old bach" was Din gees reply, tomorrow will be the hap piest day of my life. And let me tell you whenever the anniversary of my wedding comes round I'll have some delicate memento for the dear girl who Is to furnish that happiness. l shall on that day remain at home from busi- ness and devote 1t to celebrating my escape from such crusty old bachelor hood as you represent"
 When Mir. and Mrs. Dlngee were driven away after the wedding fes- tivities, followed by showers of rice and old shoes, 1t looked as if his prom ises would be kept If ever there was a happy man 1t was Silas DIngee
 One year passed. MT. Dingee had been made over by his wife from a bachelor to a married man. He had learned to live fOc some one besides himself. The first anniversary of his wedding had come round, the day that he had vowed he would celebrate above all others
 1 As Silas Dingee shrugged on his over coat that morning preparatory to mak ing dash for the nearest subway sta. ton his pretty wife spoke from the | dining room door.
 If I'm not at home when you come. dear
 Going out this atternoon2" inter rupted Dingee peeviShly.
 "Just to Mrs Wrights for bridge. honey" she soOthed him. "If I'm not here the moment you arrive just get a bite to eat from the refrigerator and read your paper until come. It won't 1 take me fifteen minutes to get dinner after I arrive-steak and mushrooms. | Sllas-it's Hilda's afternoon out"
 Seems to be always Hilda's after. noon out and yours. tOO" grumbled Dingee as he kissed his wife farewell and departed
 As he opened his newspaper on the train he was still thinking of his dis like of being alone. It was one of his ! peCuliarities that he was a restless mortal indeed when Maud was away | from the apartment Maud was an inveterate card player and belonged to two bridge clubs and a band of | pinOchle enthusiasts. On the evenings | when he knew Maud would be late In ! coming home Mir. Dipgee usually went from his office to his club and remain ed there until his wlfe's frantic tele phone messages assured him that she was home and that dinner was waiting
 On such occasions he usually called a taxi and sped home on the wings of love and rubber tired wheels.
 Today everything went wrong. In the mail he found several misdireCted letters. which had been returned to him. One of them was an important matter, which involved the loss of con | siderable money.
 So he discharged the careless stenOg rapher scolded his chief clerk. scared the office boy into state of humility and lunched at his club.
 After luncheon things went better. He telephOned to Chicago and found that he wouldn't lose the money after all When the fearful stenographer came for her money he gave her anOth CT trial and the office boy was em- boldened to ask for a raise fin his pay. W uGLlGI HG AGNtAh NN IL VT AAON AS AASb part of this tale. but at 4:S0. when MT. Dingee closed his desk. he was feeling in high good humOr with him self and the world.
 He had quite forgotten all about the lonely apartment he must return to and stopped to buy some violets for Maud While he stood there who should rush up to him with hearty greeting but Tom Finch. Maud's BOs- ton cousin and a particular chum of Silas Dingee's.
 Just going up to your place." re marked Tom.
 Mighty glad 10 see your cried Din gee heartily. "Maud's out this after. noon at some whist bat or other. but she'll be home by 6:3O. We can have a bite to eat as soon as We get there"
 Good I'm hungry. Had little ac- cident coming down. The buffet car and one coach deraIled. Nobody hurt. Haven't had bite since 10 this morn 1 ing"
 .IMpp oIiva hurrvp' Dinppa hustled