Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-02-12
The Kiss
By EVELYN MAY

tcOpyrght i5iI, western Nswspapsr UnlOu.j
II her husband had struck her IN
the face Margaret Blake could not
have been more startled. amazed and
spelbound. For a moment she fairly
crumbled back. Then IL seemed as II
a sudden glory pervaded the little mar
row hallway. For the first time in
thirty years John Blake had kissed
her.
"Oh. John !" she huttered and the
faded cheeks, yet soft as velvet,
flushed pink and the lips quivered,
and she felt as II she could die con.
tent. and then she seemed 20 grope
her way blindly into the little parlor
and sank to her knees, collapsing be-
dde a chair and burst into tears.
What a fuss q woman makes" she
caught the tones Of her husband out
side, and then, soft and tenderllke-
"All the same, Margaret you're the
best wife a man ever had. Hellol /
forgot my cane"
He turned back into the hall and
secured the article required. For
moment he halted. His glance was
fixed upon the haf.prostrate woman.
Her hands were clasped above her
head. the tears were raining down her
cheeks, her soul seemed soaring heay-
EDWARDS as she uttered the words:
ut Is worth all the longing and wait.
ing Of thirty years-ohl my one only
love. Oh life is sweet"
Hint" John Blake tried 10 mutter
in his practical phlegmatlc way, but
the strong man was shaken. Il was
the first day In two weeks that John
had been out Of the house. He had
recently overdone himself, was laid up
with a bad attack Of rheumatism and
Margaret had nursed him.
A sense OF her tireless attention.
sleepless nights, poignant Rnxieties
had overcome him rs he left the house.
A flash Of the true worth Of this de-
serving woman had caused that erratic
impulse Of sentiment.
How glorious It was 10 again battle
| llA INV IiNNhuN FAhAlAAAAs INV rum pun 2
How neat and prosperous the farm
looked. Margaret had done double
service as nurse, housekeeper and out
door manager.
Margaret won a furtlve. but half
gratifled glance from John as he noted
at supper time that she wore one Of
the tidy white aprons, that had seemed
so dainty and becoming In the earlier
days OF their married career.
"You mustn't overdo yourself, John,
remember" she said the next morning,
and accompanied him again to the
loor. There was something longing
and wlstful In her eyes.
"You aren't thinking OF yesterdays
nonsense. are you, Margaret" he half
laughed.
Yesterdays nonsense kept me hap
by all day long. John" she said, her
lips trembling.
Its cheap and handy. anyway"
said he, and went over and gave hef
4 hearty smack.
"Haw, hawr greeted John outside,
In the yard, In his gig, was his portly
neighbor Joshua Griggs. He waved
MS whip boisterously.
Il say Blake" he hailed. whats
the occasion? Old sparkling days over
againT"
John was deeply chaGrlned. a
frown came 10 his face.
"No harm done, is there?" he chal-
lengcd angrily.
whats the good, thought Why,
haven't kissed my wife In ten years.
That soon wears out with the sex,
Blake. Women get II man ana for
get everything except that he Is pro-
wider. Your wife drudges, mine gall
change, change.
Never satisfied. Bah the honeymoon
over and they're practical critters"
perhaps Il you kissed your wife
once In "A while she would drop so
much gailivanting."
Don't you criticize my wlfew blurt-
ed Grlggs.
81 amt. You did. Yes, I've made
Margaret n drudge"
"And she's happy In It. Don't dis
turb her way"
But I'm going TO mend things.
Joshua. I'm beginning To wonder IL
me humdrum way We sink into mere
providers doesn't chill an thar is love
~ and natural In women folks"
Margaret" said John the next day.
.yuu'ry going 20 make tWo-wovhs'
visit 90 your sister ana her two little
llds. You're going 10 bring them back
here. for good. Miranda is having
hard time of 10, aud I see my duty
plain 90 make 30 easier for the poor
widow, With her help you won't be
lrudging your life out"
ooh, John the added burden for
you, their care"
"a blessing girl declared John.
Those two little ones win make music
IN the house. There's going TO be a