The Meeker herald., 1919-02-15
| AFTER THE YEARS
BY wALLAcEA. MARTIN.
Copyright. 1918, by western Newspaper Union.l

Coop right. 1913, by Western Newspaper Vnion)
Everything satisfactory, Mr.. Bliss 2"
"Bettcr than that. You've done Won
derfully fine. Twelve thousand dol
lars out of an Investment of four I
What's your bill?"
''Thc usual five per cent on the orig
iunI capital"
John Bliss pocketcd the draft that
mad just arrived from New York by
mail, and drew out his own check
hook, filled out blank and handed It
TO the broker.
ooh. say" In sincere surprise ex-
claimed the latter-"a thousand dol
iars"
"lt's worth 1t to me-" nverrcd his
generous client. "There's restric-
ton want to make: don't want the
public, and especially my wife, to
enow of this transaction. OF course.
IT WINS open and above bOard. and
square and legitimate. but don't want
to be classed as Spectator. 1t
linces me mt n point I've been trying to
reach for yenrs. Intend to mike
things little more comfortable for
Nance. Comfort-I'Il make It luxury.
If the dear thing will let mel"
1t bad excited and enthuscd him to
make big stake all ut once. 1t had
warmed his heart to think OF Nancy.
Thcy 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
hot hnl chi
ilod down Into n routine existence.
With daylight John was Mt his farm
work. Before daylight Nancy was up
and around. preparing breakfast and
starting the manifold household du-
lies OF the day.
So II had come about that greetings
had become purely Informal, and COM
panionshlp unconventional md COM
monplnce. He had long since forgot
ten to kiss her and she had accepted
the lack of dcmonstrative affection as
latent scntimcntality obscured by
pressing demands for labor. She WINS
firm at times. stern. but never cross
or pervcrsc, while he valued her ster-
ling qualities of sacrifice and toll at
their true worth.
But now with positive relief from
the fear Of old age. penury, new
spirit was horn In John. He was quite
rny and liGht-footcd MS he proceeded
to the bank to deposit his draft. He
was clenr-cycd and smiling ms 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 kccn-mindcd enough
to note his unusually jubilant mood.
'Lctter from Arnold" he announced.
lust got 1t Mt the post office. He's
been promoted to scrgeantcy."
'1Ie deserves II, and won IT. am
proud of the boy" commented Mrs.
Bliss, with feeling. BY the way. Miller
was here today with his estimate for
painting the house."
well let the man We sell II to mr.
rausc that" observed John. and Nancy
stared ut him.
"You'rc not thinking Of TINT, are
youf" she inquired, cycling him closely.
"Why, yes. Tell you, Nance: I've
been saving UP and accommodating. I've
had n little business windfnll. and
sec my way clear to build on the VII
Iagc lot. It's your right. girl. to hive
II littlc better md easier. You've
done more than your duty nil these
years, and want to sec you have
little comfort and happiness"
Her faded checks glowed mo-
.mcntnrily. The lines Of her fncc soft
cned. He had not called her "girl'' for
tv~nty years! His hand rested ca
rcssingly upon her arm and she quiv-
cred.
I'D like to have some Of our old
friends 10 sort Of party. soon." pro-
ccedcd John. "Wc'il have to 20 out
more than we do. when we live in
town, you know. and get into the new
house"
Don't 20 beyond your DEPTH" she
said.
I'll not; did I ever? Tn thinking
of how You will enjoy having n little
rest from the grind, and hired girl.
and the right kind OF clothes. You
amt ms young as You once was. hut
you'rc MS straight ms nm arrow, and.
always held. was n pretty womun."
"Nonscnse" deridcd Nancy, but the
compliment was sweet to her. Then. n
week later. when some dozen or more
friends passed n social evening ut the
DID farmhouse. and John danced
twice. bright and sprightly. with two
of his boyhood ilnr,cs. Nancy expert
enccd quite n pang Of jealousy. and
was duly startled Mt the growing high
spirit of her usually prcoccuplcd help
meet.
One day she rcstci hand on his
shoulder To reach OVER and adjust a
window shade. Her check was tempt
'ng'y near TO him. He uttered a
chuclilc and kissed her.
Smack! He drew back with n ting