The daily Alaskan., 1920-08-28
AN ANNIVERSARY
By MABEL. E. 5LlGH.
e. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syudiea,

Mrs. Crawford picked up her sewing and threw 1t down again in disgust. Her wrath was not unjustlfed. She surveyed her surroundings with pro found indignation. The furniture seemed a kind of symbol of the dreary monotony of life. It expressed so clearly the relentless decay of youth and hope.
 The rocker In which she sat. with all the defects of antiquity save It's charm, was a summary of her married life. It had been intended for mere temporary use: 1t had been their pleas ant conviction that in a year or two they would replace 1t with something bcttcr-Something that one could live with always. But Alfred's afluence had proved always just over the ridge of attainment.
 She then went over again the bills in her desk. Once a month for 20 years she had struggled over these bills, buoyed up with a placid faith, that next month" there would be something left over. But that next month never came.
 It was not the everlasting proX- unity to poverty which made Mrs. Crawford's eyes grow dim as she sat in the fast darkening room reviewing her life. She had not married Alfred for money. She had loved him. He was a sober, steady, quiet, generous little man, with an. unfailins good disposition, whom anyone must love.
 Nevertheless. she could not quell an unruIy sense of resentment. If only Alfred would be different occasionally.
 She shook her head helpleSsly. There was no use. The glowing fab ric Of hope had faded, as doubtless it must for everyone.
 Her mind flashed back over the years to the perfumed summer eve nings when she waited at the gate in the twilight, eagerly awaiting Alfred In his neat, dark suit and prOdigiously high collar. swinging his stick smart ly. It was usually dark when he ar rlved-wlth no regrets for that. They had not been married then, of course.
 She thought of her wedding. She had made her bridal gown herself Their honeymoon had been spent at a little summer resurt only few miles from her home by trolley. She smiled to think of those few days and how quickly they had slipped away.
 Reluctantly. her thoughts came back to the bleak present Alfred would be coming in presently. Then he would SHY: Hello, dear" make some formal inquiry aS Co her occu- patton during ,he day and sometimes about the children. Afger supper he would submcr-c himself in The rocker and go to sleep Sometimes he would kiss her or permit himself % be kissed.
 Thus the days had ended for more years than she could remember.
 Just at th.s stage of thinking she heard voices on the porch outside where she was sitting. EvrIyn the oldest of her girls and most like her self. was there with her yuHu- man. Her eyes cluudcl wiSyul.y EFelyn was adorable and so young.
 Hearing Alfred corSin- up the front steps. she went to greet him.
 supper is ready" she said. for want of something else to say.
 Let the children eat it," he replied briefly: eve are. going ont tonight
 "Out?" she repeated. amazed
 "Yep." hp smiled uyStorjously. Hurry up, dear; get drrss",l'
 She turned and faced him.
 "Alfrcd Crawford, Whatever are you up to?" she demanded.
 He looked comicalJy sheeptSh and said;
 "why-er-I thought we'd have little dinner In town and then % to the lhcarcr Remember how we used to co, dcar?"
 "Of course l remember" she cried. But Alfred. we cant afford it."
 "Oh. hang the cyDenSe" he said cheerrully. Guess you don't rcmem- Der what day this is, dear"
 Well, she remembered that, too.
 Thoroughly mysltied. she went ID and dressed. She could hear her hus- band softly singing one of her favor ite SongS-"SHver Threads Among the Gold"
 By gracious, you're a better look ing girl than any of our daughters" he declared with conviction as he look ed at her.
 Then. trying to change the subject, she said:
 What in the world has got into you?"
 He hung his head quite boyIshly, she thought
 "Wcu." he replied, I just hap pened 10 be thinking that-wcll-that we are getting into sort of rut, you know"
 As they were about to leave she noticed long, whitc-papered box on the hall table and asked:
 "What huva you there. Alfred?"
 His S1bSput-m'udcdneSS still Clung to