The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-06-16
HIS BIRTHDAY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY DOROTHY KNIGHT

HNcl5diyt anu nc Huu just IeCclNcu
substantial Increase in salary. He
could hardly wait to tell Mary the good
news.
He hurried home only to find the
apartment deserted. The tiny kitchen
cite, however, showed that everything
was in readiness for hurried assem-
bling Of the dinner on her return.
He wandered aimlessly and forlornly
around. He looked about for the note
he had so often found, explaining her
delay, but there was none. There was,
however, a note half concealed under
some bills, which he took out and read
mechanically, until the full import Of 1t
reached him like sharp stab. His
eager happiness was changed to acute
suffering. He read:
Dearest Jim-Your letter arriy ed
this morning and has made me glori-
ously happy. II has lain next to my
herrt all day aud through the mOnot-
onous dishwashlng, sweeping and
busting Of my life has run the wonder
full melody OF your love. 1t has made
me very happy, and 1t 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 I have, for l can never have
the reality. We must renounce-"
He read TO the end and then with q
heart as heavy as lead he paced the
! floor.
"Why John, what's the matterl You
look as II the bottom had dropped out
OF the universe
He was startled at her unexpected
presence. He had not heard her come
| In.
"Why, l guess / have a slight head
ache. Been working rather hard to-
day"
"You poor dear, and l bet you are
half starved, too. But will have din.
ner ready In jIffy."
She was as good as her word.
"You poor dear. you're too tired
even TO eat. / 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 dc
wish could help you. But do try tc
be economical"
You're wonder, Mary. You're the
best manager in the world"
He tried to speak naturally. II,
must not let Mary suspect he knew hel
secret until he had decided what t
do.
Somehow the dinner was ~ ishet
John. strangely silent, but his wife Il,
merry and laxative as ever. II sh,
noticed his silence, she attributed 4
to his being tired.
When they were comfortably settled
In the living room he Immediately tool
up his evening paper.
swell, what day is III"
The question cut deep.
~ don't know" he muttered, from
the depths Of his paper.
"Why, John Patterson, aren't 20
ashamed OF yourself?"
No answer.
"And after I've worked so hard I
get you present that earned all my
self"
No answer
III that's al the interest you TAX
I'm glad I'm no Eleanor Hallowe
Abbot and couldn't afford to buy
sedan for q present"
Still no answer.
swell, don't you want to know whG
I got your"
"why. Of course. What is iif' In
lackadalslcal tone.
swell, it's on the table beside you
He reached out for much beri
boned package, with trembling hand
and started to open 1t.
"Dear, I'm really afraid you're golr
to be sick, You look so pale"
Nonsense. I'm all right. Well. tn
Is just fine. That's my favorite ciga
bnt can't afford to smoke them ever
day, Oh have package for 20
COO"
He went out to his coat pocket ar
returned with box OF chocolate
Then while he smoked, she MUNICH,
: chocolates.
"Don't Won wnnt IN know how
earned the money!"
BY supreme effort he managed
act naturally.
"Yes, OF course, and what was II "
said about Eleanor Hallowell Abbot
q "why, she's the author Of "Mol
y Make Believe" that you enjoyed
much"
"And what, may ask, has she
10 with my clgars2"
"well, one day was telling Ruth
wished could earn some money all 1
own to buy you a birthday prese
q, with, and she suggested that shor
try writing stories, finally got a
dollars from the Western TRIBUNE
- "well, that's fine. What for2 G
- ting Subscriptions"
n mo, for writing love letter"
Mary may have been somewhat 8,
prIsed at the strange effect OF Il
news on John and at his great Joy o,
har allternry guccegsn hut no never