The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-10-21
The Anniversary
BY ELVA LORENCE
(Copyright)

had dreamed, as most of us do. OF the
fumblln' 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 ST.
lent I understood, and my heart ached
for her. Disappointment had changed
the world, and the days and weeks OF
lonely broodIng, while he 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, missus," 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. ~ am shut out OF his life !"
"You shut yourself out, dearie," |
snid gently. II am sure of 1t. I'm
only 'Omely Liz. No man will ever
call me his wife now, but 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 II hurt you by
my plain speakln', but-it seems to me
that you've lived with disappointment
so long it's made you bitter. Why
not meet him tonight with smllin'
face. an say you're sorryf 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 betterf"
"He has ceased to carei" she said
bitterly. ''He. would turn from we
with Taught y
81 think not, dearle," said quietly.
81 have seen the look In his eyes when
you have left the room, and l lhow
he, too, is wretched. Make II up to-
day."
To-Day" she cried. "Today Is the
anniversary of our wedding day. For
the first four years he marked NJ
with gift; he has forgotten 1t alto
gether now!"
"Oh, mol" l said, smiling confident
ly. meet him when he comes hope
tonight as l want you to, and see II
he has forgotten. 1t seems such n
pity you should be bad friends. Lis
ten to me, dearle!"
And, very quietly, told her about
my last place.
She heard me through. and at the
end lay back, with glistening tears In
her eyes.
"Thank you, Lizzie" she said.
That was all, but l jumped up,
smilin', because knew had won her
round.
"Now listen, ma'am," I said. ave
got plan. He'll be home, as usual
at seven for dinner. Wen have a
special spread In honor OF the day,
and you shall be waitin' for him In
your wedding dressw
my wedding dressl" she cried. "Oh
no, Liz; it's hopelessly old-fashioned
l should look like a fright"
"We1l see you don't" ! said. '1Ie
Is going to come into the room, aud
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
said.
And laughln' at our pleasant
thoughts. we tripped upstairs.
The rest Of the day, until the usual
hour of his home coming, passed like
a dream. The difference In the mlssus
you'd hardly credit. She seemed an
other woman altogether. Now tha;
her mind was given up to II, nothing
could go amiss. His favorite dishes
must be cooked; there must be flow
ers on the table, his slippers must be
in the fender; everything must be just
as he liked II.
At six o'clock she went upstairs to
dress. AS put on my best apron
heard her quietly singin'. When she
called me to see how she looked
stood and smiled, because, for some
reason couldn't say word.
The white silk dress fitted her per
fectly; her eyes were shlnin', the
smIiin' lips had given new expires
sion TO her face.
She looked like happy, blushin
bride.
"Shall ! do, Llzzie?" she said, with
playful curtsy.
"oh. ma'am, you look beautiful"
exclaimed
"You think he'll know mef' She
said.
"You'l see," I answered, laughln'.
From behind my back l held out the
spray OF flowers ] had got from the
shop with the others downstairs.
II want you TO wear this, ma a'am,"
said. Let me fasten II in your gowI
"a bunch of rosemary !" she cried.
"For remembrance. ma'am."
seTbank Won Lizzie" she said ntii