The Florence daily tribune., 1899-04-04

his shoes and quietly passed through
tine apper rooms and down the front
stairs. when he put on his shoes again
He managed TO open the door. II
stuck bnt be had forgotten that it open
ed in In fact. be never remembered
having opened il at all before
The men filed into the stutfy Parlor
Some onu suggested shat the windows
be opened. Lyford stared for moment
There were no screens in the windows.
"0h. yes. he replied, with deal of
energy "Of course. | meant 10 have
them open and forgot. Mrs Merritt has
been very busy or she would have at
tended TO il for me.
His blue eyes twitched and he drew
deep breath us he pushed up the win
dows and hung back the blinds He
euw dozen flies dart in. and he gave a
qui,t chGckie His emancipation had
begun
The meeting opened with it's usual
solcmnity. but soon it grew exciting,
and there was busy hum of voices,
The men hud removed their coats. and
they swung like drapcries from chair
backs the family Bible on the marble
center table made an excellent desk for
the prcsiling officer and ballots and
papers w.re literally distributed ovG
the floor Some of the men We're smuk-
ing
Lyford was making a spcech-it was
very excellent specch-7-on the freedom
of the individual. His audience was in
trrestcd suddenly there was hush
lie turned aud Mrs Merritt stood in
the doorway Lyfard gave a little gasp
The eyes Of the men were upon him.
and he struightencd visibly
Tho meeting of the committed you
know my dear. he explained with
the faintcst trclnor in his voice. Il
trust we have not disturbed you. His
eyes were Il bit beseeching
Several of the men were on their feet
Ono w,,s struggling into coat Mrs
Merritt did not reply Her keen brown
oyes swept the room, and n peculiar
smile settled ON her face.
II was going to suggest "-Lyford
made the great effort of his life-"l
was going To suggest, seeing it was so
of refeshment for the gentlemen. Caro-
line
There was note of inquiry in his
voice His wife turned, and with a
hurried excuse he followed A nervous
laugh from Que of the men broke the
tension of the moment
1--WE shall have to give him an
office soino one suggested
He was gone some time. and then his
wife returned with him. He carried n
big pitcher of iced tea, while she bore
platter of spice cake and jumbles,
which she afterward supplemented with
loaf cake and pickles,
II was u 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-
sponsihility
Al 9 the meeting broke up, Lyford
escorted them to the gate and watched
them as they passed from sight Then
ne slowly returned to the house. gave u
long look at the lisordored room. closed
the door and shutlled off To the shed
There lac 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 II second time He laid
his pipe down carefully. arose, gave his
vest p"ll, 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 moment. She looked
very pretty as she sat there--prettier
than usual somehow. Perhaps she had
ON better dress.
"Was your meeting successfulg' she
queriod. 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 mo for
school committee,
She nodded her head reflectively
'Nou will make good one. she said
They ought to put good men in office.
He stared at her back. "I'm sorry
the parlor he began.
''Nou needn t be, she broke in sharp
ly II guess = She set the teapot
down, and. arising carefully, walked
around the table and set it down at her
husband 5 p,lce. Il guess that man
has a right to do as lie wants to in his
own house.
She glanced Mt 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 if
You didn put yuur coat on.