The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-05
THE WORM THAT TURNED.
ny ELLIOT WALKER.
by ELLIOT WALKER.

SNhN -AAApAu ApAyiOW iOuuiN
If bolt from the heavens had de-
seended in the midst of the little group
seated about the breakfast table it
would hardly have created more con-
sternation.
Electa Saylow, stout and impressive,
set down her coffee cup with that de-
liberation born of shock, and eyed her
husband in open mouthed wonder.
Violet and Mignonette pushed back
their chairs as if a second outburst
would precipitate immediate flight, and
looked anxiousy at their mother.
Only Willoughby, the 9year-old scion
of the house Of Saylow, retained his
composure to any extent. He was ac-
customed to violent surprises in his
daily walk and recovered himself
quickly.
why not?" he asked, boldly.
Because you can't-that's Why" re-
turned his father, sharply. You all
hear me. don't you?"
1t was quite evident that he had
been heard, although no reply was
forthcoming. The girls picked feebly
at their plates: Electras face under
went various changes of color, which
finally settled into an aggressive red ;
and the boy broke into a long whistle
of bewilderment.
WILL you may leave the table" said
Mr.. Saylow, sternly.
Willoughby gazed thoughtfully at
him for moment then seized a slice
of toast and vanished. He had seen
that in his fathers eye which reminded
him of an almost forgotten hour of
sadness, closely associated with the
tingling recollection of a strap. So he
went.
He meant it, he ruminated as he
slipped away sure as guns. he meant
it! What's got into him?"
Fortunately breakfast was nearly
over when the surprising dictum had
been announced; while digestive pro-
cesses were undoubtedly impaired in
the case of all except Willoughby, it
was better than a disappointment on
an empty stomach.
Saylow was not an imposing figure
as he folded his napkin and rose to
depart. An undersized man and thin.
with much gray in the light brown hair
and struggling beard. He stopped
slightly from long confinement at his
desk, and there seemed an air of ply
sical weakness about him, in strong
contrast to his portly wife and bounc-
ing daughters.
But his usually kind gray eyes wrin-
kled at the corners with his perpetual
smile of conciliation, were now quite
fierce, as he stopped with his hand on
the doorknob and looked severely at
Electa. You heard me-" he said with
emphasis.
When the sound of his quick little
nervous steps was heard fading away
on the street the feminine tongues were
unloosed
, Viola spoke first. Plump, pretty and
independent, she tossed her head with
a gathering bloom in her round cheeks.
1.-THE ideal" she observed; chow entire
ly uncalled for!"
II should say SOL" cried Mignonette.
younger and even prettier than her sis
ter.
The repression of Electa now burst
forth. She was an affectionate wife, a
devoted mother, and possessed of many
virtues Alas, the rod of authority was
to her fingers as the clasp of gold to
the miser, and she had waved 1t calm
ly and unfiinchingly over the heads Of
her household for so many years that
the fact of Affords imagining ne could
uplift his voice in opposition to her
wishes seemed preposterous.
Surely he had renounced all claim to
such recognition long ago. Why, he
was only her husband!
Girls" she began rapidly, but i'm
pressively, II trust you observed that
/ controlled myself. I thought il better
TO say nothing in reply, nor to open an
argument. There will be no argument
we shall go as l have planned. vi,
You will invite Edgar: Min, you may
order the two-seater from the stable
We shall go. Tell Willoughby. We start
at eleven"
Her daughters embraced her with
pride. So that was all she cared for
the paternal explosion. How foolish
they were to have been so upset. But,
then, they had never known him to
speak so before. He was always so
meek and complacent and did Just
what was expected of him.
"Of course we will 60" cried Wi "I
knew We would all the time. Let's get
the luncheon ready"
Trips to the lake, five miles from the
town, had become weekly occurrences.
Afford had sat down to a lonesome
monday meal so frequently that he
could scarcely remember the number.
And these meals had been occasions
OF trying thought.
1t can not go on" he had said to
himself again and again. 81 do not see
what Electa is thinking of. It is too
expensive. That livery bill is some
SiiiiAs9 NhOi LIGy get DOdlS
and men to row them and hire fishing
tackle. / can't bear to say anything
they have such a good time-but Electa
should know better She is so thrifty
in some ways and so improvident in
others. ] do not understand It. I am
so our of the habit of finding fault at
home that / don't know what to say.
! shall burst out some day; know
shall"
And he had. No one bur he knew the
volcano smouldering under that erup-
tion-it was but the hiss .,f the puff 0f
steam from the safety valve OF the
boiler of a surcharged mind. anxious
and worried and shrinking hating TO
give offnse ana having 10.
Saylow attended to MS business that
morning with a certain (. cling of cx-
allied emancipation. He he'd asserted
himself. He had not intended TO be 80
cross, but his voice had sounded DIFF
ferent from what he meant It should
Still, they had said nothing, an1 II
would be all right by 1ioner time, and
he would exert himself to be very
pleasant.
For the apparently meek little man
was of fierce temper at times, and