The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-09-05
AFTER The YEARS
BY WALLACE A. MARTIN.

DcJCeT Cnuu LndC. 1OuV0 UOuO WUQs
derfully hne. Twelve thousand dol.
lars out Of an investment Of four !
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 q blank and handed It
TO the broker.
"Oh, savW in sincere surprise e1-
claimed the latter-"a thousand dol.
lars -
TITS worth it to me-" averred his
generous client. 'There's a restnc-
ton want to make: 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 Spectator. It
places me at a point I've been trying to-
reach for years. intend to make
things a little more comfortable for
Nance. Comfort-I1l make it luxury,
If the dear thing will let me!''
It had excited and enthused him to
make big stake all at once. 1t had
warmed his heart q think Of Nancy.
They had been married for thirty
years. Thef only boy had just en-
listed for the war. During the thirty
years, husband and wife had been real
workers. Fur 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 duy.
So It had come about that greetings
had become purely informal, and COM
partnership 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 ut times, stern, but never cross
or perversa. while he valued her step'
ling qualities of sacrifice and toll at
their true worth.
But now with positive relief from
the fear of old age perjury, new
spirit was born in John. He was quite
gay and light-foOtcd as he proceeded
to the bank to deposit his draft. He
tered the house. inspired with secret
plans for giving Nancy the surprise of
her life when the right moment ar
rived. Sh,. was keen-minded enough
to note his unusually jubilant mood.
"Letter from Arnold" he announced.
"Just got It at the post Office. Hes
been prom oted to a sergeantcy."
Gle deserves it, and won tt am
proud of .he boy" commented Mrs.
Bliss, with feeling. By the way, Miller
was here today with his estimate for
painting the house."
"We'll let the man we sell it to ar
range that" observed John, and Nancy
stared at him.
"You're not thinking of that, are
you?" she inquired. cycling him closely.
"Why, yes. Tell you. Nance: I've
been saving up and accommodating. I've
had little business windfall, and I
see my WY clear to build on the viii
lage lot. IT'S your right. girl, to have
it 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 quiz
cred.
I'D like to have some Of our old
friends to sort Of party, soon." pro-
ceeded JOHN. "We'1l have to go out
more than we do, when we live in
town, you know, and get into the new
house."
Don't 60 beyond your DEPTH" she
said.
''I'll not: did I ever? I'm thinking
Of how YOU will enjoy having little
rest from the grind, and hired girl,
and the right. kind Of clothes. You
amt as yO1ng as you once was, but
you're as straight as an arrow, and,
I always he'd, was pretty woman"
"Nonsense!" derided Nancy, but the
compliment was, sweet to her. Then,
week later, when some dozen or more
friends passed social evening at the
old farmhouse, and John danced
twice, bright and sprightly, with two
Of his boyhood flames, Nancy expert
enced quite 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 to reach over and adjust a
window shade. Her cheek was tempt
ingly near to him. He uttered q
chuckle and kissed her.
Smack! He drew back with ting
ling cheek from the impetuous slap.
Poor soul! lnnnte modesty, prim dis
dain Of sentiment through twenty
years had made her take even the con-
genial salute as an unwarrantable lib