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
/ tered with a merry whirl, and. having
set all available draperies a-tlapping,
/ seized the Slip OF paper bore il jauntily
| TO the floor. and thence, by easy stages. to
/ the inmost corner OF the recess beneath
the bureau.
Vain Apologies.
Here you be. sir. and I 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 can't have few
away out OF sheer sggerwation.' said VIII
liam. fumbliug excitedly in his pockets
81 and it can't have shook itself out in my
other jacket pocket, sir III 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.
IN be back with IL just 10 twenty
minutes. sir" replied William, and
escaped forthwith from the surgery.
Returning swiftly to his cottage, he in-
augurated a domestic upheayal 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 ana 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 a full hour had elapsed William
propped his weary and perspiring frame
against the bureau. and launched q lorna
do Of wrath al Emma.
IN give II up" he roared. "A body
might every bit as well look for a needle
in a haystack Such place as this is,
and such a CONAN at the head ont, the
curiousest, pryingest CONAN as ever was.
a CONAN always a-wanting 10 make every
bodys business her business. This all
comes 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, therell be no
sinking OF him. AS for Miss Sufy, III
never go d 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 al the surgery he made bunder-
ing confession. and stood passive while the
storm broke numerically on his head. AZ
much as he had given to Emma, so much
and more he received unto himself for
young Gilbert Lyall had temper, and
could use his tongue TO advantage on rare
occasions.
When al last William was suffered to re-
tire into the grateful silence OF the night,
he bore with him a bottle vaguely labelled
The Mixture" the which. If It did no
good to Miss Sophia, was certainly calcu-
lated to do her 10 harm
This was presently delivered by the hand
OF Lottie. and William sat stolidly by the
fire till bedtime.
A nights rest and a brief supplementary
search in the dim light Of foggy morn
ing failed 20 relieve the situation, and VII
liam cvinced tokens Of the deepest melan-
choly as he touched his hat and asked:
The gig. sir or the horse. sir?''
The gig FOR Farrell and Henderley, in
twenty minutes" returned the doctor
shortly. Il must see Miss Drew first and
explain this wretched 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: III take my oath
ont replied William. with an upward
glancing of the ewes.
A dawning sense OF humor enlivened Gil
bert somewhat as he tapped at and open
ed the door OF Miss Sophia's cottage.
She called down from the bedroom bid |
ding whoever was there TO come up.
hope you are little better this |
brave attempt al cordislity.
Better croaked Miss Sophia. with a !
most alarming hoarseness. Likely now
amt it, And that. pointing with a shak- |
ing finger 10 the still full bottle on the |
washstand, IS no more like Squire Pow
ley's prescription than las like porter. |
You'll send back the paper directly, if you |