The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-09-14
AFTER THE YEARS
sy WALLACE A. MARTIN.

Everything satisfactory, Mr.. Bliss r
Better than that. You've done won
derfully hne. Twelve thousand dol.
lars out Of ap Investment Of four
What's your bllli"
'sThe usual i've 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
hook, filled out blank and handed II
to the broker.
"Oh. say!" In sincere surprise ex-
claimed the latter-"a thousand dol
lnrsl"
ats worth It to me-" averred his
generous client. '1There's q restric-
tion I want to make: don't wnnt the
public. and especially my wife, to
snow of this transaction. OF course.
1t was open and above board, and
square and legitimate. but I don't want
to he classed as a SPECTATOR. 1t
places me at point I've been trying to
reach for years. intend to make
things q little more comfortable for
Nance. Comfort-rl make It luxury.
II the dear thing will let mel"
It 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
lied 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 1t had come about that greetings
had become purely Informal. and COM,
panionshlp unconventional and COM
monplace. He had long since forgot
ten to kiss her, and she had accepted
the lack Of demonstrative affection a
latent sentImentallty obscured BY
pressing demands for labor. She was
arm at times, stern. but never cross
or perverse, while he valued her ster-
ling qualities Of sacrifice and toll at
their true worth.
But now with q positive relief from
the fear Of old age. penury. . new
spirit was born In John. He was quite
gay and light-footed a. he proceeded
to the bank to deposit his draft. He
was clear-eyed and smiling ~ he en-
tered the house. inspired With secret
plans for giving Nancy the surprise Of
her hfe when the right moment ar
Rived. She was keen-minded enough
to note his unusually jubllant mood.
Letter from Arnold" he announced.
-Just got 1t at the post once. Hes
been promoted to seFgeantcy."
He deserves II, 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"
swell let the man We sell II to ar
range that" observed John. and Nancy
stared at him.
"You're not thinking Of that. arc
your she inquired. cycling him closely.
swhy. yes. Tell you. Nance: I've
been saving up and accommodating. I've
had q little business windfal1. and
wee my way clear to build ON the VII
Iage lot. It's your right. Girl. to have
II 4 little better and easier. You've
done more than your duty all these
years. and I want to zee you have q
little comfort and happiness"
Her faded cheeks giowed mo-
mentarily. The lines Of her face soft.
ened. He had not called her "Eiri" for
Twenty years! His hand rested CO.
ressingiy upon her arm and she quiv-
cred.
'''d like to have some Of our old
friends to sort Of party. soon," pro-
ceeded John. "weT have to 70 out
more than We do. when We live In
town. you know. and get Into the new
house."
Don't 20 beyond your DEPTH" she
said.
Srll not; did, I everf I'm. thinking
Of how you win enjoy having q little
rest from the grind. and = hired girl.
and the right kind Of clothes. You
hu no yOuuk IN yVu OuSc W3Ss uVt
you're rs straight ~ an arrow, and.
I always held. was pretty woman"
Nonsense I" derided Nancy. but the
compliment was sweet to her. Then. q
week later. when some dozen or more
friends passed q social evening at the
old farmhouse, and John danced
twice. bright and sprightly. with two
Of his boyhood iaries. Nancy expert
enced quite . panE Of Jealousy. and
was duly startled at the growing high
spirit Of her usually preoccupied help
meet.
One day she restel hand on his
shoulder to reach over and adjust .
window shade. Her cheek was tempt.
lngiy near to him. He uttered =
chuckle and kissed her.
Smack He drew hack with ting.
ling cheek from the impetuous slap.
Poor soul! Innate modesty, prim dis
dain Of sentiment through twenty
vn.H~ hod ms do hoe t.ka avian ths nm.