Smyrna times., 1918-08-07
AFTER THE YEARS
BY WALLACE A. MARTIN.
RRNNNRRRSRAsRRRRa,RSRRRRRSINIi
Copyright 1918, by Western Newspaper UniOn.l

Better than that. You've done won
derfully fine. Twelve thousand dol
lars out of an investment of fourl
What's your bill?"
"The usual five per cent on the orig
inal capital"
John Bliss pOcketed the draft that
had just arrived from New York by |
mail, and drew out his own check !
book, filled out blank and handed It |
to the broker.
"Oh, say" in sincere surprise ex-
claimed the latter-"a thousand dol |
lars :"
ITS worth it to me-" averred his
generous client. "There's a restric-
ton l want to make: l don't want the
public, and especially my wife. to
know of this transaction. OF course,
it was open and above board, and
square and legitimate, but don't want
to be claSsed as / speculatOr. 1t
places me at a point I've been trying to
reach for years. l intend to make
things a little more comfortable for
Nance. COmfOrt-Tn make it luxury,
If the dear thing will let mer'
1t had excited and enthused him to
make big stake all at once. 1t had
warmed his heart to think of Nancy.
They had been married for thirty
years. Their only boy had just en-
listed for the war. During the thirty
years, husband and wife had been real
workers. For ten years both had set
tied down into a routine existence.
With daylight John was at his farm
work. Before daylight Nancy was up
and around, preparing breakfast and
starting the manifold household du-
ties of the day.
So it had come about that greetings
had become purely informal, and COM
| paniOnship unconventional and COM
mOnplace. He had long since forgot
| ten to kiss her, and she had accepted
the lack of demOnstrative affection as
latent sentimentality Obscured by
| pressing demands for labor. She was
| firm at times, stern, but never cross
! or perverse, while he valued her ster-
ling qualities of sacrifice and toll at
their true worth.
/ Alul llpN WIN a lboAllNC lNAlVl HUM
the fear of Old age, penury, new
spirit was born in John. He was quite
| gay and light-fOOted as he proceeded
to the bank to deposit his draft. He
was clPar-Pyed and smiling as he en-
| tered the house, inspired with secret
plans for giving Nancy the surprise of
her life when the right moment ar
| fnA OTnrrOh
to note his unusually jubilant mood.
Letter from Arnold" he announced
"Just got it at the post office. He's
been promoted to a sergeantcy."
"Ie deserves it, and won it am
proud Of the boy" commented Mrs.
Bliss, with feeling. BY the way, Miller
was here today with his estimate for
painting the house"
even let the man we sell 1t to ar
range that" observed John, and Nancy
stared at him.
"YOu're not thinking of that, are
yOu?" she inquired, eyeing him closely.
"Why, yes. Tell you, Nance: I've
been saving up and accommodating. I've
had a little business windfall, and
see my way clear to build on the vii
lage lot. It's your right, girl, to have
it a little better and easier. You've
done more than your duty all these
years, and I want to see you have a
little comfort and happiness"
Her faded cheeks glowed mo-
mentarily. The lines of her face soft
ened. He had not called her "girl" for
twenty years! His hand rested ca
ressingly upon her arm and she quiv
cred.
I'D like to have some of our ole
friends to sort of party, sOOn," pro
ceeded John. EVEN have to go Out
more than we do, when we live ii
: town, you know, and get into the new
house."
"DOn't go beyond your depth" sh'
said.
"Tll not; did I ever? I'm thinking
of how you will enjoy having a llttl'
rest from the grind, and hired girl
and the right kind Of clothes. YOl
amt as young as you once was, bu
you're as straight as an arrow, and
1 always held, was pretty woman"
"NOnsenseT' derided Nancy, but tn
compliment was sweet to her. Then,
week later, when some dozen or NOR
friends passed a social evening at tn
old farmhouse, and John dances
twice, bright and sprightly, with tw
Of his bOyhOOd flames, Nancy expert
enced quite a pang of jealousy, ant
was duly startled at the growing hig
spirit of her usually preOccupied help
meet.
One day she rested a hand on hi
shoulder to reach over and adjust
window shade. Her cheek was tempt
lngly near to him. He uttered
chuckle and kissed her.
Smack He drew back with a tins
ling cheek from the impetuOus slaI
Poor soul! Innate mOdesty, prim dis
dain of sentiment through twent
| l. l. knI khr