The herald., 1918-08-15

/. AFTER THE YEARS
By WALLACE A. MARTIN.


slrS out III an lllNtShAi'NN -
What's your bill?"
"Thc 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 IL
to the broker.
ooh. say." In sincere surprise ex-
claimed the latter-"a thousand dol
| lars"
ats worth it to me-" averred his
generous client. "There's Il rcstric-
| ton I want to make: don't want the
public, and especially my wife, 10
know of this transaction. Of course
It was open and above board, ana
square and legitimate, but | don't want
to be claSSed as a Spectator. IL
places me at point I've been trying TO
reach for years. l intend to make
things n little more comfortable for
Nance. ComfOrt-I'll make it luxury
If the dear thing will let me"
It had excited and enthused him to
make a 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 n routine existence
With daylight John was ut his farm
work. Before daylight Nancy was up
and around, preparing breakfast ana
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.
But now with a positive relief from
the fear of old age. perjury, new
spirit was born in John. He was quite
CAV and light-foOted as he proceeded
to the bank to deposit his draft. lie
was clear-eyed and smiling as he en-
tered the house, inspired with secre
plans for giving Nancy the surprise OF
her life when the right moment ar
rived. She was keen-minded enough
TO note his unusually jubilant mood.
sT.etter from Arnold" he announced
"Just got it at the post Office. lie
been promoted to sergeantcy."
"He deserves it, and won 1T an
proud of the boy" commented Mrs
Bliss, with feeling. BY the way, Miller
was here today with his estimate fol
painting the house"
"WeTl let the man we sell 1t to ar
range that" observed John, and Nanc.
stared at him.
"You're not thinking of that, ar
you?" she inquired, cycling him closely
"Why, yes. Tell you, Nance: Pv
been saving up and accommodating. Pv
= had q little business windfall, and
see my way clear to build on the vii
70 lage lot. It's your right girl, to hav
u It a little better and easier. You'v
done more than your duty all thes
years, and I want to see you have
little comfort and happiness"
Her faded cheeks glowed me
mentarily. The lines of her face soft
ened. He had not called her "girl" 70
twenty years. His hand rested ca
ressingly upon her arm and she quiN
cred.
"Pd like to have some Of our oil
friends to a sort Of party, soon," pre-
ceeded John. "We1l have to go OF
more than we do, when we live
town, you know, and get into the me-
house"
'Don't 60 beyond your Depth" sh
said.
"Tll not; did I ever? I'm thinkin
of how you will enjoy having a lit
rest from the grind, and hired cir
and the right kind of clothes. 70
amt as young as you once was, bl
you're as straight as an arrow, an
| l always held, was pretty woman"
"Nonsensel" derided Nancy, but II
4 compliment was sweet to her. Then,
week later, when some dozen or mo-
friends passed a social evening at Il
old farmhouse, and John dance
twice, bright and sprightly, with tv
of his boyhood flames, Nancy expel
enced quite a pang of Jealousy, al
was duly startled at the growing hlt
spirit of her usually preoccupied hel
meet.
One day she rested hand on b
shoulder to reach over and adjust
window shade. Her cheek was temp
ingly near to him. He uttered
chuckle and kissed her.
= Smack! He drew back with tin
Z ling cheek from the impetuous sla
= Poor soul! Innate modesty, prim d
dain of sentiment through TWEEN
J. years had made her take even the CO
genial salute as an unwarrantable II
> ertyi Then, overcome with Nigh
2 revulsion In feeling, she burst in
q tears.
= He caught her hand and pulled b
- to his knee. Reckon I deserve 1t
:, neglecting you so long, Nance" he 50
, In a low, intense tone; "but that de