The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-04

ner Douglas have thought had l been
obliged to ask him TO bring up coaIr'
Dear George would never have failed to
procure the best of meats and butter"
Until at last John Washane became ac-
custoued to the Oft repeated assertions
and actually felt that, compared with the
late George Douglas. he John Washane,
was an outcast and a villain. No longer
did he refer to Susan, Matilda, Jennie
Carrie and Mary as patterns for all future
housewives TO copy; what were they as
compared with her TO whom the sainted
Douglas had bowed in allegiance before?
His voice took on a humber cadence
when he spoke to or of his Lucia, His?
How had he ever dared to woe this piece
of perfection-how had he been so favor
cd 10 win her?
He referred to his own unworthiness
one day to a neighbor lately moved into
The town, a man who years before had
lived in Green Meadows.
'As 1 think of her former partner I
wonder what she saw in me that should
lead her 10 renounce the name of George
Douglas? II may be that she saw my
need and, as it were was willing 20 snatch
me as a brand from the burning-what
were you about to say, Lawton?"
You never knew George Douglas per-
sonally?"
John shook his head.
But you did. I dare say, by reputation,
at least"
Mr.. Lawton grinned.
II did" he said, with a silent mirthful
chuckle. And so you are the man that
married Lucia Douglas. A good woman
she, and very clever one. But George
Douglas-well, yes, 1 knew him, too-lots
of folks did-the grog shop keepers best
of all Thought that he was a kind of
sl,,8t
when he used to beat her till she was
nearly dead; and she didn't when he stole
Parson Grants colt; nor she didn't when
he used to swear blue streaks at her;
nor when she used 10 have TO keep her
self and him from starving by taking in
washington, she didn't think him a saint
tin he up and died in the gutter, reliev-
ing her of a nuisance. / mind how she
broke down when we told her he was
dead, and said He's done one good thing
that I hope the Lord will give him credit
for, he's died
John Washane walked home in a dazed
condition.
Lucia" his voice was still somewhat
awed as he addressed her, in spite of
what he had heard. Lucia, did-did-
did"
"Oh, john why don't you say what You
start to without repeating? Dear George
used to speak so differently"
Did he ever cuss you?" John had found
his tongue al last.
why John?'
And strike you? Get Misunderstanding
lect-come, Lucia, tell me, want to know
the truth"
Mrs Washanes dimples became APP
parent.
Some one has been talking" she said,
a twinkle i'm her brown eyes, 80 1 may
as wei admit il. He was-oh, John. dear,
he did make my life so miserable, so I'M
bearable"
why did you deceive me SOP" John de-
manded. pulling upon his knee the wife
whom hitherto he had hardly dared to
kiss You made me think he was an
angel, au-but."
ITS too bad" Mrs. Washane gave a
playful tweak to the grizzled moustache so
near her face, but john dear | did 1t
in self defense. I'd heard how you told
your second wife of the virtues of Susan.
And ia heard how she came at last TO
the conclusion that you didn't think she
was worthy to unite your shoestrings ana
so died. And then you told your third
wife that she had been treasure, that
Matilda was not TO be mentioned lightly,
that she was worker, a help-mate.
woman of thousand and you could never
forget her worth; and then Jennie died
ana you put on her tombstone
what you never told her you thought
about her; and then Carrie heard of Jen-
MES goodness, and how you could trust
her, and Carrie tried to be like her. bur
died not knowing that you trusted her.
TOO; and then Mary-the sweetest woman
thar ever lived, l admit for l knew her,
she was my own cousin-Mary became
your wife, and you never told her that
she made your home as happy as heaven.
and she died-and John, dear, I didn't
want to hear what all the others had
heard, and so I gave you the chance 10
hear the kind talk your wives had heard
and-John, dear. you're not angry. dear.
are you-because-well it has been lovely
here. and I'm so glad you married me ana
gave me chance TO forget George Doug
las. You're not angry, John, dear?"
And John Washane kissed his pretty
coaNing young wife, and said IF youu
never mention your dear departed to me
again, III tell you what ! think-Ive got
wife now who is the best and brightest
loveliest sweetest, cleverest, dearest wo-
man-there. there, puss,, don't smother