The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-02-13
AFTER THE YEARS
By WALLACE A. MARTIN.
8 iNRH@RRRS&9A48aA3 AAaA3sS94aASSA
Copydght. 1913. By western Newspsper 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 bill7''
''The usual five per cent on the orig
inal capital"
John Bliss Docketed the draft that
had just arrived from New York by
mail, and drew out his own check
book, filed out a blank and handed it
to the broker.
'Oh. sayI' in sincere surprise ex-
claimed the latter@ta thousand dol
larsl'
'It's worth it to me-" averred his
generous client There's a restric-
ton want to make: I 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 I don't want
to be claSSed as a Spectator. 1t
places me at point I've been trying to
reach for years. I intend to make
things a little more comfortable for
Nance. Comfort-TH make it luxury,
! If the dear thing will let me 20
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-
J 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 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 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, penury, a new
| spirit was born in John. He was quite
gay and Hght-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. She was keen-minded enough
to note his unusually jubilant mood.
'Letter from Arnold" he announced.
"Just got it at the post Office. He's
been promoted to a sergeantcy."
'fHe deserves it, and won tt am
proud of the boy" commented Mrs.
Bliss, with feeling. By the way, Miller
was here today with his estimate for
painting the house."
'FWe'H 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 a little business windfall, and I
see my way clear to build on the vii
Iage lot It's your right, girl, to have
it a 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 quiv-
cred.
I'D like to have some of our old
friends to a sort of party, sOon," pro-
ceeded John. 'FWe'n have to go 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.
'fTn not; did I ever? Tn thinking
of how you will enjoy having a little
rest from the grind, and hired girl
and the right kind of clothes. You
amt as young as you once was, but
you're as straight as an arrow, and
I always held, was pretty woman"
Nonsense !" derided Nancy, but the
compliment was sweet to her. Then, q
week later, when some dozen or more
friends passed a social evening at the
old farmhouse, and John danced
twice, bright end 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 q
window shade. Her cheek was tempt
ingly near to him. He uttered 6
chuckle and kissed her.
Smack He drew back with a ting
ling cheek from the impetuous slap
Poor soull 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 4 mighty
revulsion in feeling. she burst into
tears.
He caught her hand and pulled hel
: to his knee Reckon I deserve it
: neglecting you so long. Nance" he sai(
} in low, intense tone; "b;It that deal
: cheek is just as veIvety to me now rs
: when I cOurted You in 1885,, and low
| I-o17 Tor, firoos- morn -