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

Inc IbNihE VI IL
Miss Sophia Drew had risen at five, as
was customary with her on a Monday, and
had plodded through her usual weekly
washing.
She had restrained her feelings with an
iron hand until the two collars and one
pair Of cuffs. which were her weekly al
lowance. had been duly clearstarched and
rolled up in a towel for tomorrow's iron
ing.
And now" she said, pausing on her
way upstairs to take q look around her
tiny parlor. 4 don't mind owning. just
to myself, that / feels terrible middling %
Her eyes rested longingly on the solita-
~ easychair which for more than thirty
years had shiyered under its narrow strip
Of crocheted anumacassar. and stretched
out lean arms toward the cold hearth
Maybe a bit Of FIRE would take away
the musty smell" said Miss Sophia. sniff
fling here and there about the room; but
dear. dear who ever heard tell Of a fire
in the parlor and October not half QUIT
Nevertheless. before the autumn day
had darkened half dozen spOrtive flames
leaped up the narrow chimney. and Miss
Drew, with a shawl drawn closely about
her shoulders leaned back in the easy
chair and resigned herself.
For thirty wears" she snliloqulzed.
I've lived in this village. always aiming
60 be burning light in the midst OF dark
ness. I've visited them as was under the
rod and warned them OF judgment TO
come, and now. if I'm to be chastised my
self. / must look for the cause"
She INDUCED in no useless longing for
the company Of a fellOw-cresture. but, as
the night darkened about her. a vague
sense OF duty stirred within her and she
reached down the rosewood tea csddy from
the mantelpiece, and searched diligently
among its varied contents.
This she said presently as she drew
forth slip CT paper carefully preserved
since the DAYS when she had been house
keeper for old Squire POwley. will do me
more good than all the new-fangled medi-
cines put together. if only that giggling
young doctor. whose face I can't bear.
has the gumption to mix IL right IN watch
for William larry. anyway, and get him to
20 for ID before bedtime
II was no. long before remarkably
heavy footstep announced Williams APP
pnoach. and Miss Sophia attracted his at
tention by a sharp rapping al her window.
William was tail and angular. his unc0uth
features were siHgularly devoid OF ex-
preston and his slowness Of speech and
movement was proverbial in the village,
where however. he commanded a certain
amount OF respect as having been The
doctors man" ever since young Gilbert
Lvsll came home from college and the
hospitals and set up for himself
I've never trusted anybody but old
Robinson Of Wiuterby TO make up this
prescription" said Miss Sophia as she sol
EMMY handed out an unsealed envelope,
but II your master can do il ] should be
glad OF q tonight"
I've never knowed him beat returned
William with a wide grin.
Tell him" said Miss Sophia that
Squire Powley paid three guineas for that
prescription. And make it plain that he
isn't to call. don't want bills running
up for nothing"
William thrust the envelope into ca
pacious pocket aud Miss Sophia. already
suspicious Of his reliability. retreated 10
her parlor and watched until the usual
rudy CLEAN issued from his doorway. and
q trio Of youngsters seized him by the
legs.
'sufy Drews bad. be observed laconi-
eally 10 his wife. shes give me a three
guinea prescription 10 get made up
Lets see it. said Emma, suddenly IN
terested.
William. as in duty bound produced The
envelope. and Emma drew forth DE paper
and scanned IL obviously.
Its all wrote foreign" she said Il
can't make a word out"
Let me see ii. mother. oh do" cried
Lottie. the eldest girl; and the Sip OF
paper went the round OF the small eager
eyed family, while the elders discussed
Miss Sophia.
"our Lottie." said Emma presently You
set down that paper this minute. and run
20 the back door with this saucepan
What's the good wasting time over that?"
srs1is abeyed. alssl too literally. She