The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-10
HIS BIRTHDAY PRESENT.
Ry Dorothy knight.
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)

Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.D
The world looked bright and rosy
to John Patterson 1t was his 30th
birthday and his second wedding
anniversary. and he had just receiv-
ed a substantial increase in sal
airy He could hardly wait to tell
Mary the good news.
He hurried home only to find the
apartment deserted. The tiny
kitchenet. however. showed that
everything was in readiness for 4
hurried assembling of the dinner
on her return.
He wandered aimlessly and for
lornly around. He looked about
for the note he had so often found
explaining her delay, but there was
none There was, however, note
half concealed under some bills,
which he took out and read mechan-
ically, until the full import of 1t
reached him like a sharp stab. His
eager happiness was changed 20
acute suffering He read:
Dearest Jim-Iour letter arriv-
ed this morning and has made me
gloriously happy. 1t has lain next
to my heart all day and through
the monotonous diShwashing
sweeping and busting of my life has
run the wonderful melody of your
love. 1t has made me very happy,
and it will make me very happy all
through the years to come TO know
that you love ME. even though the
knowledge of your love is all | have,
for l can never have the reality. We
must renOunce-
He read to the end and then with
a heart as heavy as lead he paced
the floor. 1t all seemed like some
horrible joke. How had it happen
ed? They had seemed so happy He
had never suspected All, that was
it. Mary had hidden it from him
and would continue to do so. She
was too good a sport to admit their
marriage was failure. She would
still do her best and remain the
dutiful wife to the end. But could
he permit her sacrifice?
Why. John, what's the matter?
You look as if the bottom had drop
ped out of the universe"
He was startled at her unexpect-
ed presence. He had not heard
her come in.
why, 1 guess 1 have a slight
headache Been working rather
hard today"
you poor dear, and l bet you are
half starved. too. But l will have
dinner ready in jiffy."
She was as good as her word.
She fitted back and forth from
kitchenet to dining room. sayly
chattering all the time, and before
John could pull himself together
dinner was ready.
You poor dear. you're too tired
even to eat. 1 wish you didn't have
to work so hard / hate to have
you slave away at the office every
day just to earn money for me to
spend. l do wish | could help you
But do try to be economical"
You're wonder, Mary. You're
the best manager in the world
He tried to speak naturally. He
must not let Mary suspect he knew
her secret until he had decided what
to do.
Somehow the dinner was finished.
John, strangely silent, but his wife
as merry and laxative as ever. If
she noticed his silence, she attri-
buted it to his being tired
When they were comfortably set
tied in the living room he inmedi-
ately took up his evening paper.
partly from habit. for he could not
collect his mind enough to read. AMI
partly as shield against her ques-
tionings and attentions.
We'll. what day is it,"
The question cut deem, He re-