Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-07-05
AFTER TIE YEARS
BY WALLACE A. MARTIN.


SNNNNNVSVNNN0SNSNV SNVNNSVNNSNN
Copyright 1918. by Western Newspaper Union.)
Everything satisfactory, Mr.. Bliss?"
Better than that. You've done won
derfully fine. 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 blank and handed II
to the broker.
''Oh, say!" in sincere surprise ex-
claimed the latter-"a thousand dol
lars!"
'It's worth 1t to me-" averred his
generous client. There's a restric-
ton want to make: don't want the
public, and especially my wife. to
know of this transaction. OF course,
II was open and above board, and
square and legitimate. but 1 don't want
q
places me at a point I've been trying to
reach for years. intend to make
things a little more comfortable for
Nance. Comfort-I'll make 1t luxury,
II the dear thing will let mel"
1t 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 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
partnership unconventional and com
monplace. He had long since forgot
ten to kiss her. and she had accepted
the lack Of demonstrative affection -
latent sentimentality obscured By
pressing demands for labor. She W1s
firm at times, stern. but never cro0
or perverse. while he valued her steF-
ling qualities of sacrifice and toll at
their true worth.
But now with q positive relief from
the fear Of old age. penury. q 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 AZ ne en-
tered the house. inspired with secret
plans for giving Nancy the surprise a
her life when the right moment ar-
rived. She was keen-Ininded enough
to note his unusually jubilant mood.
Letter from Arnold" he announced.
"Just got It at the post ONCE. He's
been promoted to q sergeantcy."
HE deserves Il, and won IT. an
proud Of the boy" commented Mira
Bliss, with feeling. By the way, Miller
was here today with his estimate for
painting the house"
"we1l let the man we sell It to ar
range that observed John. and Nancy
stirred at him. -.
~Yousro ut thlnn1ne e NJ ~
yo0r - lnCu1sed. y61ng Mn c>o6o1y.
why. yes. Ten you. Nance: Tve
been saving up and accommodating. I've
had q little business windfall, and I
see my way clear to build on the w
lage lot. It's your right. girl. to have
It q little better and easier. You've
done more than your duty all these
years, and I want to see you have
little comfort and happiness"
Her faded cheeks glowed mo
mentarily. The lines Of her face soft
ened. He had not called her sgirl'' for
twenty yearsi His hand rested en-
ressingly upon her arm and she quiv-
cred.
I'D like to have some Of our old
friends to sort Of party, soon" pro-
ceeded John. 'WeT have to 60 out
more than we do. when we live In
town. you know. and get into the new
house."
"Don't go beyond your Depth" she
said. 81.
"Tn not; did 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 young as you once was. hut
you're as straight as an arrow, and,
/ always held, was pretty woman"
''NonsenseI r. 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 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 to reach over and adjust
window shade. Her cheek was tempt
ingly near to him. He uttered a
chuckle and kissed her.
Smack! He drew back with ting
ling cheek from the impetuous slap.
Poor soul! Innate modesty. prim dis
dain Of sentiment through twenty
years had made her take even the con-
genial salute as an unwarrantable lib
erty! Then, overcome with mighty
revulsiOn In feeling. she burst into
tears.
T. Ill A<xr~