The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-07-21
The Anniversary
By ELVA LORENCE
Copyright.)

She was q true, lOvin' woman, who |
had dreamed, as most Of us do of the
fumblin' little hands, the snugglin' lit
tie face, of our very own, and the
crown Of womanhOod had been denied
her. In the minute l stood there 81
lent I understood, and my heart ached
for her. Disappointment had changed
the world, and the days and weeks OF
lonely brooding, while ne was away,
had changed her, too.
DrOppin' down by the couch, got
my arms about her and did my best
to comfort her.
II know, mlssus." whispered, when
she had grown quiet "But it's wrong
| to grieve. There's many worse trou-
bles than yours. You have your hus-
| band"
"My husband cares nothing for me!'
she cried. Il am shut out of his life!'
you shut yourself out, dearie," l
said gently. II am sure Of it. I'm
only 'Omely Liz. No man will ever
call me his wife now, but l think l
| can understand why you two have
gone apart, and I'd like to see you
happy together again. Little children
come to bind affection closer, true
enough, and where the blessing Is de-
MED the greater the call for lovin
| kindness. That's where you've failed,
dearie. Forgive me If l hurt you by
my plain speakin', but IT seems to me
that you've lived with disappointment
so long It's made you bitter. Why
not meet him tonight with smilin'
face, an say you're sorry? l know
he would smile, too, and that his arms
would hold you You are together
for better or worse for maybe many
years. Why not always for better?"
HE has ceased to carer she said
bitterly. HE would turn from we
with laugh"
II think not, dearie." said quietly
II have seen the look in his eyes when
you have left the room, and l know
he, too, is wretched. Make it up to-
day"
To-Day" she cried. '"TOday is the
anniversary Of our wedding day. For
the first four years he marked it
| Will ElLl AC has 6o.tSh - "'e"
gether nOw!"
"Oh, mol" said. smiling confident
ly. "Meet him when he comes home
tonight as l want you to, and see if
he has forgotten. 1t seems such a
pity you should be bad friends. Lis
, ten to me, dearie!'
And, very quietly, told her about
.. my last place.
She heard me through, and ut the
end lay back. with glistening tears in
her eyes.
"Thank you, Lizzie." she said.
That was all, but l jumped up,
smilin', because I knew l had won her
. round.
Now listen, ma'am," l said. 1--WE
| got plan. He'll he home, as usual
, at seven for dinner. Well have a
. special spread In honor of the day
and you shall be waitin' for him in
, your wedding dress!"
, "My wedding dress!" she cried. "Oh
no, Liz; it's hopelessly old-fashoned
I should look like fright
"We'n see you DON'T" I said. HE
is going to come into the room, and
\ find his old sweetheart and, just as
sure, you will find him again."
'YOu think so, Liz" she cried, trem
{ bling.
. "Sure Of it!'
Come and dig out the Dress" she
a said.
U And laughin' at our pleasant
r thoughts, we tripped upstairs.
The rest of the day. until the usua
Il hour of his home coming. passed like
h a dream The difference in the missus
Il you'd hardly credit. She seemed an
other woman altogether. Now thai
her mind was given up to it, nothing
a could go amiss. His favorite dishes
must be cooked; there must be flow
u ers on the table, his slippers must b.
v in the fender; everything must be JUS
as he liked it.
:. At six o'clock she went upstairs Il
dress. AS l put on my best apron
heard her quietly singin'. When slit
called me to see how she looked
stood and smiled, because, for som,
reason couldn't say word.
The white silk dress fitted her per
fectly; her eyes were shinin'. the
smilin' lips had given a new expires
sion to her face.
She looked like happy, blushin
bride.
"Shall do, Lizzie?" she said, witt
playful curtsy.
ooh, ma'am, you look beautiful"
exclaimed.
.'You think he'll know me?" sh'
= said.
2 "You'll see," answered, laughin'.
= From behind my back held out tn
:; spray of flowers l had got from tn
q shop with the others downstairs.
q 81 want you to wear this. ma'am,"
4 said. "Let me fasten it in your gown I
"a bunch of rosemary" she cried.
p "FOr remembrance. ma'am."
"Thank you, Lizzie" she said qul