The Afro-American advance., 1899-08-26

/ NayE De sefu IN sDtHe EuEtUI Ot SatU
church vestry. II was not compatible
with the dignity of the committee 10
! meet in barns or shops. as did other or
CARNATIONS.
The men sprang up and Iyford led
the way to the front of the house, where
they greeted the others. They stood
moment and ehatted. while few
struggled up. then Lyford put his hand
on the door.
1t refused 10 cpen. He made several
attempts, but IL would not stir He
grew red in The fact with the exertion.
Its unlocked all right" he declared,
| "because I saw To that this morning.
You see. we don't use it very often, ana
that's the reason why..I'll 90 inside
and see if can start ii.
He left the men and skirted the
house. avoiding the kitchen windows
and stealing in the way back. where he
removed his shoes and quietly passed
through the upper rooms and down the
front stairs, when he put on his shoes
again.
lie managed to open the door II
opened In. In fact. he never reuem-
bered having opened il at all before.
The men He'd into the stuify parlor.
some one suggested that the windows
De opened. Lyford stared for mo-
ment. There were no screens In the
windows.
"Oh, yes!" he replied. with n deal Of
4 mt fa ha
them open and forgot. Mrs. Merritt
has been very busy or she would have
attended to IL for me-"
His blue eyes twitcbed and he drew a
deep breath ms he pushed up the win
dows and flung back the blinds. He
saw a dozen flies dart in, and he gave n
quiet chuckle. His emancipation had
begun.
The meeting opened with its usual
soIemuity, but IL soon grew exciting
and there was a 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 liberhlly distributed over
the floor; some Of the men were smok-
ing.
Lyford was making n speech. II was
n vsry excellent speech. ON the freedom
OF the individual. His audience WIS in
terCsted. Suddenly there was a 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 straightened yisibly.
"rhe meeting Of the committee. you
know. my dear" he explained. with the
fninlest trcmor In his voice. II trust
we have not disturbed you" His eyes
were bit beseechng.
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 aud peculiar
smile settled on her face.
II was going 20 suRgest"--Iyford
made the grcnt effort OF his life~-''I was
going To suggest, seeing IL is so very
warm, that We prepare some sort Of re-
| freshment for the gentlemen, Caroline" :"
There was note of inquiry in his
voice. His wife turned, aud, with n
hurried excuse, he followed A nervous
laugh from one of the men broke the
| tension of the moment.
I'VE shall have to give him an Office"
some one suggested.
lie was gone some time. and then his
wife returned with him. lie cnrricd n
big pitcher of iced tea. while she bore
q platter Of spiked cake and jumblcs,
which she afterwnrd supplemented with
loaf cake and pickles,
II was IA very social intermission that
followed. Mrs. Merritt made herself
very charming, aud Lyford was in the
highest spirits. Then she retired and
the meeting went on. Lyford was nom.
mated for school committee. lie ac.
ccpted, of course. Ills wife had never
allowed him TO run before. IL would
make her nervous 60 think of his re-
sponsibility,
At six the meeting broke up. Word
escorted them To the gate aud watched
them ms they passed from sight. Then
he slowly returned To- the house. gave
long look at the dlsordcrcd room,
closed the door and shuflled oil to the
shed. There he sat for several moments
and drew hard az his old pipe
The supper bell rang. At the sound
he hastily started for the door His
hand was ON the latch. then he hest.
iated, his hand dropped aud he returned
10 the bench. sal down aud ran his tin.
gers 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.
| lie hcSitntcd moment. She looked
very pretty as she sat there prettier
than usual, somehow. Perhaps she had
ON "a better dress.
WAS your meeting succcssfule'' she
quericd, her eyes on the amber liquid
Very" he replied, as he crossed tho
room to where his coat hung ON the
wooden peg. They nominated me for
school committee"
She nodded her head retlectivelv.
You will make good one" she said,
They ought to put good men In Office"
He stared at her back, I'm sorry the
porlor -" he began.
| "Nou needn't be. she broke In. sharp
| ~. II guess" She set the trapot
down. aud, arising carefully. walked
around the table aud set il down az her
husbands place. II guess that a man