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

laid the envelope upon the old bureau.
placed the paper above it, and made a
sudden rush for the back door. through
| which. as 1t opened, the autumn wind en-
tered with a merry whirl. and. having
set all available draperies a-fapping,
seized the slip OF paper. bore it jauDtily
| to the floor. and thence, by easy stages to
the inmost corner of the recess benes tn
the bureau.
Vain Apologies.
Here you be, sir, and / hope as how
, you'll be able to tackle it," said william,
with the freedom born of long service.
You've brought the wrong one," said
the doctor. as he ran his fingers from end
to end Of the envelope. This is empty"
BLESS my soul. sir, it cant have flew
away out of sheer aggerwation." said Will
liam. fumbling excitediy in his pockets,
% and it can't have shook itself out in my
other jacket pocket. sir. I'll go home and
see. however"
The subterfuge was transparent for the
jacket had not been changed since noon.
1T must certainly be found at once"
said the doctor. with severity.
''Ill be back with IL just in twenty
minutes, SIR" replied William, and
escaped forthwith from the surgery.
Returning swiftly to his cottage, he in-
augurated domestic upheaval such as had
never before shaken the foundations of his
family circle. High and low. on hands and
knees, on chairs and table tops. in every
drawer and corner of the bureau In tins
and boxes which had not been opened for
weeks, and in the case of the American
clock. he and his wife and all the children
searched for the prescription with des-
peration worthy of the cause
When d full hour had elapsed William
propped his weary and perspiring frame
against the bureau. and launched lorna
do of wrath at Emma.
I'll give It up" he roared. "A body
might every bit as well look for a needle
in a haystack. Such place as this is,
and such CONAN at the head ont, the
curiousest, pryingest CONAN as ever was;
q CONAN always a-wanting to make every
bodys business her business This all
comes o being married this does. What
did you want to see IL at all for?' he re-
sumed in a slightly cooler tone, the sound
of a broken sob having penetrated his
dulled ears. Here's I've got TO go and
tell the doctor all about it, there'n be no
Sinking of him. AS for Miss Suffy, I'll
never go a near her again. You'll go right
along and tell her yourself first thing in
the morning"
Having thus exhausted his vocabulary.
he banged the door behind him. and went
forth unwillingly to meet his masters So
dreaded wrath.
Arrived at the surgery, be made blunder-
ing confession, and stood passive while the
storm broke numerically on his head AS
much as he had given to Emma, SO much
and more he received unto himself for
young Gilbert Lyall had a temper, and
could use his tongue to advantage on rare
occasions.
When at last William was suffered TO re-
tire into the grateful silence OF the night
he bore with him bottle vaguely labelled
THE Mixture" the which If II did no
good to Miss Sophia, was certainly calcu-
lated TO do her TO harm.
This was presently delivered by the hand
of Lottie, and William sat stolidly by the
fire till bedtime.
A nights rest and brief supplementary
search in the dim light Of a foggy morn
ing failed to relieve the situation. and VIII
liam evinced tokens Of the deepest mel an
choly as he touched his hat and askeG
The gig, sir, or the horse, sir?'
The gig. for Farrell and Henderiey, in
twenty minutes" returned the doctor
shortly. Il must see Miss Drew first. and
explain this wretchsd business Remem-
Der, sir. It's more than your place is worth
to allow anything approaching this to hap
pen again.
1T never DOL. sir; I'll take my oath
ont" replied William. with an upward
glancing OF the eyes.
dawning sense OF humor enliyened GIL
bert somewhat, as he tapped at and open
ed the door OF Miss Sophias cottage.
She called down from the bedroom. bid
ding whoever was there TO come up.
Il hope you are a little better This
morning, Miss Drew" he observed. with a
brave attempt at cordiality.
Better" croaked Miss Sophia, with a
most alarming hoarseness Likely now.
amt it! And that" pointing with shak
ing finger 10 the still full bottle on the
washstand, rs no more like Squire Pow
ley's prescription than it's like porter.
You'll send back the paper directly, If you