Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
CHAPTER XIV.

tlAthe stage the day he started for
PNtadelphia. William King read over
bis }Martha's memorandum with the be-
<wuzArsd earsfulness peculiar to good hus-
bands: Ten yards of crash. q pitcher for
sorghum, samples of yarn, an ounce of
saehet powder and so forth.
''Now.l<vbat on earth does she want
saSsex powder for2" he reflected. But
ne did not reflect long; it suddenly came
into his mind that though Mrs. Richie
had not given him any commission he
could nevsf8hsless do something for her.
He could 60, when he was in Philadel-
phia, and call on her brother. How
pleased she'll be"' he said to himself.
Naturally, with this project in mind, he
rave no more thought to sachet powders.
He dcGded that he would turn up at Mr..
Byyor's house at o'clock. and Pryor
would ask him to supper. 1t would save
time to do that, and he needed to save
time, for this one day in Philadelphia
was to be very busy. He had those err
raads for Martha, and two medical ap-
poiatments, and a visit to the tailor-for
OF late william thought good deal
was very shabby. He wished he had
asked Mrs. Richie for her brothers adj
dress; It took so long to look 1t up in the
directory! Happily. the first name was
unusual: there was only one Lloyd. or he
would have given UP the search He
could nat have called on all the Johns or
ThomaSeSi
what with matching the yarn. and get
ting his drugs. and being terribly cowed
BY the taller, William had a hurried day.
However, he managed to reach Mr.. Lloyd
Pryor's house as the clock struck 6. Just
IN good time" he said to himself, COM
placentiy Indeed. he was ahead of time.
tor It appeared that Mr.. Pryor had not
get come home.
..But Miss Alice is in. SIR the smiling
dsrky announced.
VERY we'll" said William King; tell
her DIR. King from Old Chester" He
followed the man into a parlor that
seemed to the country doctor very SPLEEN
did. and while he waited, he looked about
with artlsss curiosity, thinking that he
must tell Martha of all this grandeur
people in OLD Chester he thought. Now.
certainly Martha had never had SO dis
loyal q thought! At that moment he
heard girlish step and Lloyd Pryor's
daughter came into the room-a pretty
young creature. with blond hair parted
eyes.
'1Dr. King?" she said. smiling.
Doesn't resemble her In the least" the
doctor thought getting on his feet and
In from Old Chester" he said. and
thought I'd come and say how-do-you-do
TO your father and tell you the latest
news of Mrs Richie"
The front door banged and Lloyd Pryor
pushed aside the curtain. William had
wondered what Martha would say to a
curtain instead of a door. His blank
panic as he heard the doctors last word
turned his face white. ("Bad hearth"
William asked himself.)
DIR, King, Alice, you needn't watt
Alice. nodding pleasantly. left them,
and her father. setting his teeth. looked
out through his curling eyelashes with
deadly tntentness.
Thought I'd come In and say how-do-
you-do?" William King said. hungry anu
friendly. but little bewildered.
"Oh." said Mr.. Pryor.
william put out his hand; there was a
seconds hesitation. then Lloyd Pryor
took it--and dropped 1t quickly
'.All weii?" the doctor asked. awk-
wardiy.
Yes, yes. All well. Very well. thank
you. Yes"
II was Just passing. thought perhaps
your sister would be pleased II inquired;
she didn't know I was coming. but
you are very kind. I'm sure" the
other broke In. his face relaxing. II am