The Natchitoches enterprise., 1899-05-04

Caroline for anything in tie world. OF
course wouldn't. She's a good wife
a very good wife 70 me, and m thank
ful I've got such u Gooi Eife and
hope ] make her u good hush0nd "
Ee PAUSED and slowly laid two more
sticks on to his burden and walked to-
ward the wcCdhCEse.
land I've been thinking that perhaps
it amt good for her to have he always
giving in TO her" he continued as he
returned for a second load. Il read
somewhere the ether day that women
was like h0rses-thoy Iise to have their
own way longs they can but when
you make EN- Elind the7ge all the bet
ter. Not that | should kFer try and
make Caroline nlss = paused
/ agbast-"brt perhaps II I kisiaer took
things for granted that she woaldn' t
mind my doing moro things l c0uld
do EN-. and she'd like it, I'm a-going
to try anyway.
1t was undeniahle that Lyford Mer-
| ritt's heart beat somewhat faster than
usual as it neared 0 clock on the fell
lowing afternoon. The town committee
had ordained to have an extra meeting.
1t was usually held at the Perkins,
but Mrs. Perkins was sick, and so Ly-
ford had generously asked them to
come there
A few had already gathered and were
sitting in the shade OF the big gelm. 9th
ers could be seen coming down the road.
Il suppose we might as well 60 in,
seeing there are so many Of usalready.
Lyford remarked.
1t was an unwritten law that the
meetings Of the committee should al
ways be held in some pa1lor or the
church vestry. 1t was not compatible
with the dignity Of the committee to
meet in barns or shops. as did other or
CARNATIONS.
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 few strag-
gled up, then Lfyord put his hand on
the door.
1t refused to open. He made several
attempts, but it would not stir He
grew red in the face with exertion.
''It S unlocked all right, hedeclared,
because | saw to that this morning
You see. we don't use it very often,
and that the reason why. I'll go in
side and see if can start it.
He left the men and skirted the house,
avoiding the kitchen windows and steal
ing in the back way. where heremoved
his shoes and quietly passed throu11
the upper rooms arai down lhe frcn,
stairs, when he put IN his shots again
He managed to open the door II
stuck. but he had forgotten that it Open
ed in. In fact, he- neyer= remembered
having opened it at al belcre
The men filed into the stuffy rarlor |
Some one suggested that the windows
be opened. Lyford stared fora moment
There were no screens in the windows
"Oh, yes, he replied, with deal Of
energy. "Of course. meant to have
them open and forgot. Mrs. Merri It has
been very busy or she would have at
tended to it for me.
His blue eyes twitched and he drew
deep breath as he pushed up the win
1ows and flung back the blinds. He
saw dozen flies dart in, and he gave
quiet chuckle. His emancipation had
begun.
The meeting opened with its usual
'olemnity. but soon it grew exciting,
and there was a busy hum of voices.
The men had removed their coats, and
hey swung Ike draperies from chair
packs the family BibE on the marble
'enter table made an excellent desk for
he presiding officer, and ballots and
,apers were liberally distributed over
he floor. Some of the men were smok-
ng.
Lyford was making speech-it was
very excellent speech-on the freedom
# the individual. His audience was in
crested. Suddenly there was hush.
1e turned, and Mrs. Merritt stood in
be doorway. Lyford gave a little gasp.
he eyes of the men were upon him.
nd he Strengthened visibly.
''The meeting of the committee, you
now, my dear, be explained, with
he faintest tremor in his voice. 81
rust we have not disturbed you" His
yes were bit beseeching.
Several of the men were on their feet.
me was struggling into a coat. Mrs.
lerritt did not reply. Her keen brown
yes swept the room. and a peculiar
nile settled on her face.
81 was going to suggest ''-Lyford
lade the great effort of his life-"I
as going to suggest seeing it was so
cry warm. that we prepare some sort
refeshInent for the gentlemen, Caro-
ne. :
There was a note of inquiry in his
lice. His wife turned. and with
1rried excuse he followed A nervou1
ugh from one of the men broke the
nsion CT the moment.
''We shall have to give him an
ice. T" some one suggested.
He was gone some tin, and then his
ife returned with him. He carried :
g pitcher of iced tea, while she bore
PLATTER of spice cake and iumbles,
hich she afterward supplemented with
af cake and pickles. l
1t was a very social inl mission that q
llowed. Mrs. Merritt nadc herself
ry charming. and Ly d = in the .
CHEST spirits. Then E ret d, and !.
g meeting went on L. I'd IS rom u
ated for school conn tee Ie ac-
pied, of course. His ife i ever 0
owed him to run hoj re. ould y
Ike her nervous 10 tn ko ! re- T.
onsibility.
At 6 the meeting bro ur ford J
'orted them to the gato an ched
EN- as they passed frol sig Then p
slowly returned to the on ave a
~ look at the disorder ro,,. .losed O