The daily Alaskan., 1918-10-10
ssssssssAsss..ssss..ss.s.ss.s.s a !! Z: l AFTER THE YEARS
By WALLACE 4. MARTIN.

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 aEverything satisfactory, Mir. BlissT
 dBetter than that. You've done won ierfully fine. Twelve thousand dol lars out of an investment of fourl Whats your billf i .grhe 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 1t to the broker.
 "Oh, sayl" in sincere surprise ex- claimed the latter-"a thousand dol lars I"
 "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. it was open and above board, and square and legitimate, but ] don't want to be chased as speculator. 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-rll make 1t luxury, If the dear thing will let mel"
 It had excited and enthused him to make a big stake all at once. It 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 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 1t had come about that greetings had become purely informal, and con- 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.
 Butsnow with positive relief from the fear of old age, penury, a new spirit was born in John. He was quite gay and nght-footed as he proceeded to the bank to deposit his draft. He was clear-eyed and smiling as he en- tered the house. inspired with secret plans for giving Nancy the surprise of her life when the right moment ar rived. Sho was keen-minded enough to note his unusually jubilant mood.
 Letter from Arnold" he announced "Just got 1t at the post office. Hes been promoted to sergeantcy." I'
 He deserves 1t, and won itI h proud of the boy" commented ,,,s, M . Bliss, with feeling. By the way, hinr ar
 was here today with his estimsl'
 painting the house." ..sr
 "WeTl let the man we sell h hsancy o, ! TuDRe IuutI UDoclfC0 SOhh5 =. stared at him. E4 ,,at are ' "' youY" she inquired, eyelus hln e''I I've =
 @why, yes. Tell you, ssnse: ice. Eve r.
 been saving up and scca,raStall and had a little business T nS mn the vIl- A see my way clear ts ,ss ss'e etri, G1 to soi have | lope Int It's your nfph you'ye
 1t a nttle pe!tef s ropr r duty all these , years, and want 10 s,nsss" S - h'I1e Ter e0@sSst 1aSsd cheeks slOwed sns3. %4.
 mt r,r The lines of her race e,H SJt for stt twenty yearsl HIS ,, nsau ond she qulv- in in ressingly upon her afin A int, tase cred. .~o some of our ola the
 I'd Ike !, 'S s0t of party, soon, pr aut pre- friends to ~~weI have to go 'u. ho., in ceeded John |. do' when we live ID con, com town, yoB tn'w' ana se' s,s. he house." ,d your depth" sne resu l aDonf 20 Deyonu test said. .,,r ever? I'm thinklns Al :. Is ny ISs you will enjoy having n;,sd M girl, res res tbs % right Kind Of .nos e,osns1 was. but lns ,us young as you once .-~,a ~a'' md. 'e ai1t as ;. straight as an aiIom' " y'sfe sS held, s was pretty woman. .,, 0 { always he', ,r as,,ded Nancy, but the 9,nsnt "Nonssnss was sweet to her: Then, ,aa-s If later when some dozen or .. t tse tsa, sras eek passed social evening tansas q. 1ns' .ienas Imbouse, p and John aaneea ms, m Id . fdr bright and sprightly, with aT,' two to tod d vice sls Gboshood flames. Nancy e1pepi sns ara' hi' s mite a pang of jealousy, ana .S but lcea arIy ivy startled at the growing alsn you as as,t u of her usually preoccupied hslp Sn, bur ess oae day she rested hand ,9n,. on ms Sas SsS onIder 0I to reach over and ad,us. oth' OdoN O shade. Her cheek was tempt ger 1lv near to him. He uttered the the nnckle and kissed her. X, Smack, He drew back with a dns' Det HaVn