Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-07-01

Lyford was making speech il was
a very excellent speech on the freedom
of the individual His audience was in
tercstcd suddenly there was hush
He turned. and Mrs Merritt stood in
the doorway. Lyfurd gave a little gasp.
The eyes of the men were upon him.
and ne Strengthened visibly.
1.-The meeting of the committee. you
know, my dear. he explained with
the faintest tremor in his voice II
trust We have not disturbed you. His
eyes were hit hcsncching.
Several of the men were on their feet.
One was struggling into Il coat Mrs.
Merritt did not reply Her keen brown
eyes swept the room. and a peculiar
smile settled ON her face
II was going To suggest Lyford
made the great effort of his life-"I
WAS going To suggest seeing il was 50
very warm. that We prepare some sort
of refcshncnt for the gentlemen, Caro-
line
There was note of inquiry i'll his
vcicr. His wife turned. and with a
hurried excuse he followed a ncrvoua
laugh from one Of the men broke the
tension of the ,nonent.
I'VE shall have to give him an
office. some one suggested
He was gone some time, and then his
wife returned with him He carried
big pitcher of iced tea. while she bore
platter Of spice cake and iumbles,
which she aftcrward supplemented with
loaf cake and pickles.
Ii 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 I.yford was nom
mated for school committee He ac-
ccptcd of course His wife had never
allowed him To run before II would
make her nervous To think of the re-
spunSibility
Al 4 the me, ting broke MP. Lyford
escorted them Ia the gate and watched
them as they passed from sight Then
h. slowly returned 10 the house. gave a
long look at the diSordered room closed
the door and Shufiied off to the shed
There he sat for several moments and
drew hard at his old pipe
The supper hell rang Al 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 hell rang "a second time. He laid
his pip" down carefully. arose, gave his
vest Il pull settled his hat firmly on his
head and stcadfastly walked into the
kitchen
His wife was sitting by the table.
pouring the tea.
He heSitatcd a moment. She looked
very pretty as She sat there prettier
than usual somehow. Perhaps she had
on better dress.
"Was your meeting successful she
qucricd. her eyes on the amber liquid
"Ncry, he replied as he crossed the
room Ia where his coat hung on the
wooden peg They nominated me for
school committee.
She nodded her head refiectively
''You will make good one. She said
They ought to put good men in office -
He stared at her back. Il IN sorry
the lmrlur he began.
"You nccdn b.. 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 place. a guess that man
has right to do aS hc wants To in his
own house.
She glanced ut him proudly. one arm
was in his coat sleeve
Its pretty warm. She remarked.
seating herself again. 'and. Iyford.
perhaps You Il be more comfortable if
You didn { put your coat on
He sent a keen glance in her dircc-
ton ami his blue eyes twinkled. Me-
chanically he replaced the coat and took
his seat at the table opposite her.
II think that .,hould, he replied.
Gluh- Democrat.