The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-07-25

By WALLACE A. MARTIN.
vyr,sss. isis. ~ western Newsp.psr uuiOs.I

derfully fine. Twelve thousand dol
lars out Of nm investment OF four
What's your billT
"The usual nve per cent on the orig
lnnl 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 II
to the broker.
ooh. sayw In sincere surprise ex-
claimed the lntter-"a thousand dol
larsi'
'Tts worth II 10 me-" averrcd his
generous client. "Therc's n restric-
tlon want 10 make; don't want the
public, and especially my wife. 20
know Of this transaction. OF course.
II was open and above board, and
square and Legitimate. but don't want
to be classed MS speculator. II
places me nj point I've been trying 10
reach for ycnrs. ] intend TO make
things n little more comfortable for
Nance. Comfort-I'll make II luxury,
II the dear thing will let mei'
II had excited and enthused him 10
make a big stake all at once. II had
warmed his heart TO think OF Nancy.
They had been married for thirty
years. Their only hoy had lust 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 u Ind come about that greeting,
hnd become purely Informal. and COM
pnnionshIp unconventional and com.
monnlace. He had long since forgot.
ten 10 kiss her. md she had accepted
the inck OF demonstrative affection NJ
latent sentimentaliiy obscurcd by
pressing demands for labor. She was
+ firm at times. stern. but never cross
or pcrvcrse. while he valued her stcr-
ling qualities Of sacrifice and toll AZ
their true worth.
hut now with positive relief from
the fear Of old age. penury. new
spirit was born In John. He was quito
ray and llght-footed as he proceeded
10 the bank 10 deposit his draft. He
was ciear-cyed and smiling M he en-
tered the house. inspired with secret
plans for giving Nancy the surprise OF
her life when the right moment ar
rived. She was kecn-mlndcd enough
TO note his unusually jubiIant mood.
'1etter from Arnold" he announced
"Just got II Mt the post Office. He's
been promoted 20 n sergeantcy."
"He deserves n. and won it-f am
proud of the hoy" commented Mrs
bliss. with feeling. Ry the way. Miller
was here today with his estimate for
painting the house."
EVEN let the nan &C. sell II 20 mr.
range that" observed .ivlin aud Nancy
stared nt him.
"You'rc not thinking ~ that. are
your she inquired cycling HIN closely,
"why. yes. Tell you Nance; I've
been saving up and accommodating. I've
had a little business wlndfnli, and i
see my way clear 10 build ON the VII
] lage lot. It's your right. girl. TO have
n a little better and easier. You've
done more than your duty all these
/ years. and want 10 see you have
! little comfort and happiness"
Her faded cheeks giowed mo-
mentarlly. The lines OF her face soft
ened. He had not called her "girl" for
twenty yearsl His hand rested ca
resslngly upon her arm and she quiv-
cred.
"pd like 20 have some OF our old
friends 10 a sort of party. soon," pro-
eeeded John. "we1l have 10 go out
more than we do, wien we live In
town. You know, and get into the new
house."
"Dont go beyond your Depth" she
said.
"In not; did I everi Tn thinking
Of how you will enjoy haying a little
rest from the grind. and a hired girl,
and the right kind OF clothes. You
aln't as young as you once was, but
you're as straight as an arrow, and,
l always held. was pretty woman"
sNonsensel" derided Nancy. but the
compliment was sweet TO her. Then,
week later, when some dozen or more
! friends passed social evening az the
old farmhouse. and John danced
twice. bright and sprlghtly, with two
OF his boyhood flames. Nancy expert
enced quite a pang OF Jealousy and
! WAS duly startled at the growing high
spirit OF her usually preoccupied help
meet.
One day she rested a hand on his
shoulder 10 reach over and adjust
window shade. Her cheek was tempt
ingly near 10 him. He uttered .
| chuckle and kissed her.
/ Smackr He drew back with ting
hng cheek from the impetuous slap.
Poor soul Innate modesty, prim dis
dain Of sentiment through twenty
years had made her take even the con-
genital salute as an unwarrantable lib
ertyl Then. overcome with a mighty
revulslon In feeling. she burst into
tears.