Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-04-10

dows and flung back the blinds. He
saw dozen flies dart in, and he gave Il
quiet chuckle His emancipation had
begun.
The meeting opened with its usual
solemnity, but soon it grew exciting,
and there was busy hum Of voices
The men had removed their coats, and
they swung like draperies from chair
backs the family Bible on the marble
center table made an excellent desk for
the presiding officer. and ballots and
papers were literally distributed over
the floor. Some of the men were smok-
ing.
Lyford was making speech--it was
a very excellent speech-on the freedom
Of the individual. His audience was in
terested Suddenly there was hush.
He turned. and Mrs. Merritt stood in
the doorway. Lyford gave little gasp.
The eyes of the men We're upon him,
and he Strengthened visibly.
''The meeting of the committee, You
know, my dear" he explained, with
the faintest tremor in his voice. 81
trust we have not disturbed you" His
eyes were a bit beseeching.
Several of the men were on their feet.
One was struggling into coat. Mrs.
Merritt did not reply. Her keen brown
eyes swept the room, and peculiar
smile settled on her face
81 was going to suggest" -Lyford
made the great effort of his life-"I
was going to suggest, seeing it was SO
very warm, that we prepare some sort
of refeshment for the gentlemen. Caro-
line"
There was a note Of inquiry in his
voice. His wife turned, and with a
hurried excuse he followed A nervou1
laugh from one of the men broke the
tension of the moment.
"We shall have to give him an
office some one suggested
He was gone some time. and then his
wife returned with him. He carried a
big pitcher of iced tea. while she bore
platter of spice cake and jumbles,
which she afterward supplemented with
loaf cake and pickles.
1t was very social intermission that
; followed. Mrs. Merritt made herself
very charming. and Lyford was in the
highest spirits. Then she retired, and
the meeting went on. Lyford was nom
mated for school committee. He ac-
cepted, of course. His wife had never
allowed him to run before. 1t would
make her nervous to think of the re-
sponsibility
AT 6 the meeting broke up. Lyford
escorted them to the gate and watched
them as they passed from sight. Then
he slowly returned to the house. gave a
long look at the disordered room, closed
the door and shu11led off to the she'd
There he sat for several moments and
drew hard at his old pipe.
The supper bell rang. AT the sound
he hastily started for the door. His
hand was on the latch; then he hesitat-
ed, his hand dropped, and he returned to
the bench, sat down and ran his fingers
through his hair.
The bell rang second time. He laid
his pipe down carefully, arose, gave his
vest pull, settled his hat firmly on his
head and steadfastly walked into the
kitchen.
His wife was sitting by the table,
pouring the tea.
He hesitated a moment. She looked
!, " pretty as she sat there-prettiel
than usual somehow. Perhaps she haC
on better dress.
"Was your meeting successful:' she
queried, her eyes on the amber liquid.
every" he replied as he crossed the
room to where his coat hung on the
wooden peg. "They nominated me fol
school committee.
She nodded her head retlectively.
"You will make good one, y she said
"They ought to put good men in Office
He stared at her back. "lm sorry
the parlor he began.
You ncetln be, she broke in sharp
ly. 81 guess s. She set the teapo
down, and. arising carefully, walked
around the table and set it down at hel
husband place. 81 guess that maj
has right to do as he wants to in hi
own house.
She glanced at him proudly. One arm
was in his coat sleeve.
"Its pretty warm," she remarked
seating herself again, land, Lyford
perhaps you'd be more comfortable i
you didn't put your coat on. -
He sent Il keen glance in her direc
ton, and his blue eyes twinkled. Me
chanically he replaced the coat and tool
his seat at the table opposite her
81 think that should he replied