The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-07-29
THE BRIDAL
MARTIN
OF SUSSACH
"a by d. ]. Walsh.l

- figures ON her little desk calen
dar, her eyes sparkling with
happiness. Today was the third
anniversary of her marriage. Bob
was sure to remember it with an ap.
propriate gift. She had limited for a
bracelet-one of those which seem to
draw line of fire about snowy arm.
The bracelet was the one thing she
wanted and Bob always needed her
wishes.
Tomorrow her brothers wife gave
a luncheon for distinguished guest
and Peggy was invited. She intended
to wear her peach-colored frock which
so enhanced her dark, vivid beauty.
The bracelet should be her only or
nament. She trusted that it would be
the same one that she had pointed
out to her husband as they were
walking down Main street the other
evening. How lovely it was sparkling
on its white velvet bed! Or course
Bob had understood.
What happy affairs anniversaries
were, especially third anniversaries.
The first year was not the most diff
ficult of married life, let who would
say to the contrary, nor the second,
but rather the third, when the rap
ture of love had steadied down into
pleasant routine which nothing
seemed likely to disturb. Peggy, look
ing forward eagerly to Bob's home
coming at $50. made careful prepare
tons for an elaborate dinner. Chicken
salad-one of the fine desserts he
loved-a cup of rich coffee. All, three
years had changed her from a care
less, petted girl into worthy house
wife.
Her brother looked in at lunch time
bringing her a gift of t1owers-rosy
carnations and fern.
$50 it's your third anniversary, Peg
That's so. I'd forgotten. Wonder If
Eloise and I will be as happy after
three years as you and old Bob are y
At last it was time for Bob. She
had dressed carefully and looked more
like joyous sweetheart than three
year wife in her blue cotton frock
embroidered by herself with black
baskets full of gayly tinted flowers
Dinner was ready to serve. Dicks
flowers bloomed in the center of her
best dolly, cheer, love, welcome radi-
ated everywhere.
Bob's step-and Bob bursting in
scarcely tired by his long day. AS he
kissed Peggy large parcel fell from
under his arm to the floor.
whats that?" Peggy asked.
"Open it and see."
She undid the parcel, wondering
what she should find Meanwhile Bob
hung up coat and hat on the tree
and watched her. Very carefully
wrapped indeed, was the article, but
at last it was revealed.
"a rug"
"a little gift, dear, to commence
rate this third anniversary of a JOY
full event"
Peggy stared at the rug. 1t was
small, dull, to her quite ordinary look
ing. She knew nothing about rugs
except that they were made to be
trod upon and either did or did not
harmonic with the rest of rooms
furnishing. She had chosen her rugs
carefully and she had all she needed.
This little patch was ugly and I'M
necessary. Her disappointment was so
great that tears started to her eyes.
Bob saw and understood.
"You wanted something else!" he
exclaimed and ended in deep tone :
"Of all the enigmas, women are the
worst"
"And of all the blunderers men"
But Peggy got no further. Something
was burning in the kitchen.
The dinner was spoiled, so was
Bob's peace of mind and Peggy's
happy expectation. She had wanted
the bracelet keenly. Bob must have
known that. She perceived that she
had hurt his feelings and that made
matters worse. Bob grew glum and
silent; he uttered no word Of ex-
PLANTATION and Peggy realized that she
could not undo what she had done.
Next day Dicks wife asked her II
she received the bracelet she desired.
Peggy shook her head.
':What did Bob give your" Eloise
persisted.
"a rug"
another rug"
Peggy laughed.
She was now confronted by a
hitherto unsupported fact. Bob once
hurt did not heal readily. He cher
ished crouch. She might have known
that by his long upper lip, but she
did not. There was a barrier to their
happiness which seemed not likely to
remove itself soon. Peggy felt uncom-
fOrtably that she had been in the
wrong, but would not own it. She was
stubborn, too. Yet as time passed on
she saw that she must make the first
overture. She thought long, then she
placed the little rug before the thres-
hold where Bob must see it when he
entered. But he walked over, it with