The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04

Ages. said lilly. wisely avoiding dis
| cussion of Sankey's" at is the Que hymn
| would like to have sung to me when i
am passing from earth"
There's no accounting for tastes" OBJ
served Miss Sophia.
quick rap at the dor announced an
other visitor. and Miss Drew. surmising
that 1t was the doctor caught her breath
in amaze at The impotence OF the man
who wouldn't be dismissed.
Tilly greeted him cordially. and stole
noiselessly from the bedchamber.
For nearly ten minutes the doctor and
Miss Sophia waged lively warfare, and 1t
could not be said that either got the upper
hand. The doctor. however. tired first,
and descended abruptly to the kitchen.
where he found Tilly stirring arrowroot
over the low fire.
Who's to take that up" he asked.
II. OF course" returned Tilly sert nelly
Il cant imagine why you do it." he ex-
claimed. Il have warned you repeatedly
about climbing such stairs as these. Why
should you risk your life. lilly, in I'M
necessary service? Your life. which is a
thousand times more valuable than hers"
'She is good woman, according to her
lights, said lilly.
she has no lights returned the doctor
holly. She is willfully and wickedly
blind
This. said Tilly. referring to the
arruwroot. lis done Will you take it up"
Il take it up?" repeated Gilbert.
1T would save me the stairs, you know"
observed lilly, her eyes twinkling.
For PHYS sake. then, give me the
saucepan" said the doctor There's no;h-
ing like being practical"
You don't really mean TO take it," said
Tilly, when she had poured out the arrow
root and set 1t neatly on a tray.
Il do, though You sit down for a min
ute and then get on your things. I'll see
you home round the lane. Ii isn't fit for
you TO be incoming about alone these dark
evenings"
lilly looked up with smile in her eyes
and her answer was writ large in the smile.
Was she not a little plain-featured old
maid, prematurely gray headed, and with
no compensations in the way of figure?
Who would modest her?
The doctor read her answer and altered
1t TO his liking, knowing what wealth and
beauty lay hidden beneath her plain exte-
rior. and knowing too. in what esteem she
was held in Norton Wick. Not FOSTERING
youth in the village but would hush his
ribald jest as he saw her approach in the
gimmering starlight. Not a man. how
ever uncouth and clumsy. but would step
aside to give her the cleanest bit of the
path
Il found Miss Wise making arrow.oot."
he exp aimed, as he again faced his can
tankerous patient. land | bought it up to
save her the stairs"
"Arrowroot Almost always turns sour on
my stomach" observed Miss Sophia.
rs there anything on earth that would
not?' thought the doctor
1t is the best thing possible for you,"
he said aloud
The best thing possible for me would
be that prescription you've gone and lost"
snapped Miss Sophia.
Perhaps a kind Providence intervened
to keep you from poisoning yourself with
unsuitable drugs retorted the doctor Il
dare say Miss Wise stirred up q prayer or
two with the arrowToot, so it is bound not
to disagree this time.
Young man." said Miss Sophia harshly.
ARE you aware that a day is coming when
you'll have to give account OF every idle
word ~
Bad job for some of u.s." replied colbert
wickedly. "But-don't you read your Bible
with one eye Miss Drew, seeing you will
have to give account OF the use OF two
That is the best advice | can give you to-
day. Good evening.
"Good~by," said Miss Sophia significant
ly. You needn't come again. If so be I
should want TO hear you making light of
sacred things in my bedroom-which amt
likely-I'll send
we have been going it hammer and
tongs," said the doctor to Tilly. as he drew
her arm within his and shut the door.
She has hidden me farewell for all time,
and she hadn't the common courtesy TO ask
me TO send in my bill"
He saw her safely home, and was re-
turning TO his own domain with a good ap-
petite for dinner, when he encountered
William, who inspired by laudable desire
to make his peace with Emma and the
children, had filled his pockets with free
will offerings, and was hurrying from his
duties half an hour before his appointed
time
said the doctor.