The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-29

wouldn't. She's a good wife, a very good
wife to me, and I'm thankful I've got such
a good wife. and l hope l make her a
good husbarld."
He paused and slowly laid two more
sticks onto his burden and walked to-
wards the wood house.
And rye been thinking that perhaps II
amt good for her to have me always Civ
ing in to her" he continued as he returned
for a second load. II read somewhere the
other day that women was like horses.
They like to have their own way long $
they can, but when you make EN- mind
they go all the better. Not that / should
ever try to make Caroline mind" He
paused aghast-"but perhaps If l wouldn'
mind my doing more things, could do
EN- and she'd like il.
II going to try anyway"
II was undeniable that Lyford Merritts
heart beat somewhat faster than usual as
it neared o'clock on the following after
noon The town committee had ordained
to have an extra meeting. 1t was usually
held at the Perkins, but Mrs. Perkins was
sick and so Lyford had generously asked
them to come there.
A few had already gathered and were
sitting in the shade of the big elm. Others
could be seen coming down the road.
81 suppose we might as well go in, see
ing there are so many Of us already" Ly-
ford remarked.
1t was an unWritten law that the meet
ings of the committee should always be
held in some parlor or the church Vestry
IL was not compatible with the dignity OF
the committee to meet In barns or shops,
as did other organizations.
The men sprang up, and Lyford led the
way TO the front of the house, where they
greeted the others. They stood a moment
and chatted, while a few struggled up,
then Lyford put his hand on the door.
1t refused 10 open. He made several al
tcmpts. but it would not stir. He grew
red in the face with the exertion.
cts unlocked all right" he declared,
because / saw 20 II this morning. You
see we don't use it very often and that S
the reason why. III go inside and see II
/ can start It,"
He peft the men and skirted the house,
avoiding the kitchen windows and steal
ing ina the back way where he removed
his shoes and quietly passed through the
upper rooms and down the front stairs,
wherl he put on his shoes again.
He managed TO open the door. II stuck,
but ne had forgotten that II opened IN. In
fact he never remembered having opened
1t at all before.
J.he men filed into the stuffy parlor.
Some one suggested that the WINDOWS De
opened. Lyford stared for moment.
There were no screens IN the windows.
a'Oh, yesl" he replied, with deal OF
energy. "Of course. / meant to have
them open and forgot. Mrs Merritt has
been very busy or she would have at
to nded TO It for me.
His blue eyes twitched and he drew
deep breath as he pushed up the windows
ard flung back the blinds. He saw doz-
en-. flies dart in, and he gave quiet
chuckle. His emancipation had begun.
The meeting opened with its usual solem-
nity. but soon 1t grew exciting and there
was a busy hum of voices. The men had
removed their coats and they swung like
draperies from chair backs, the family BIZ
be on the marble center "a bic made an ex-
cellent desk for the presiding officer, and
ballots and papers were literally distrib-
uted over the floor; some of the men were
smoking.
I,yford was making a speech. IL was
very excellent speech, on the freedom Of
the Individual. His audience was inter-
ested Suddenly there was a hush. He
turned and Mrs Merritt stood in the door
way. Lyford gave little gasp. The eyes
of the men were upon him, and ne
Strengthened visibiy.
'"rhe meeting Of the committee, you
known, my dear" he explained, with tho