Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-04-06

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 a speech-it was
a very excellent speech--on the freedom
of the individual His audience was in
terested. Suddenly there was a hush
He turned, and Mrs. Merritt stood in
the doorway. Lyford gave little gasp.
The eyes of the men were upon him,
and he Strengthened yisibly.
'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 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 1ife-s'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 nervoua
laugh from one of the men broke the
te,eioYn Of tho moment
1--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
a platter of spice cake and iumbles,
which she afterward supplemented with
loaf cake and pickles.
1t was a 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 It would
make her nervous to think of the re-
sponsibility.
At 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 shufied 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 hereturned to
the bench, sat down and ran his fingers
through his hair.
The bell rang a second time. He laid
his pipe down carefully. arose, gave his
vest a 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 moment. She looked
very pretty as she sat there-prettier
than usual, somehow. Perhaps she had
on better dress
''Was your meeting successful2 ?" she
queried, her eyes on the amber liquid
VERY, he replied as he crossed the
room to where his coat hung on the
wooden peg ''They nominated me for
school committee. .
She nodded her head refectively.
ssYou viii make good one, she said.
ssThey ought to put good men in Office. .
He stared at her back. ''I'm sorry
the parlor" = he began.
"You needn't be, 2 she broke in sharp
II. 81 CUES" She set the teapot
down, and, arising carefully, walked
around the table and set it down at her
husbands place. II guess that man
has right to do as lie wants to in his
own house. =
She glanced at him proudly. One arm
was in his coat sleeve.
''It's pretty warm, she remarked,
seating herself again. land, Lyford.
perhaps you'd d be more comfortable if
you didn't put your coat on. -
He sent keen glance in her direc-
tion. and his blue eyes twinkled. Me-
chanically be replaced the coat and took
his seat at the table opposite her.
~ think that should, he replied.
Globe Democrat.