THE BARONET'S SURPRISE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 108, 25 April 1908, Page 3

THE BARONET'S SURPRISE.

">Vhy are we waiting'; She was a new comer, or she nouid have known that- in this very genteel boanlinghouse, select as were tne boarders, the luronet, who was permanent, by tacit consent, look the lead, and thai it was a feature of the honor accorded him that dinner was never really commenced, the carving and serving reallv entered upon, Iwiore his arrival at" tillable.

The baronet, to do him justice, was extremely punctual when replenishing the inner man was concerned. But on this particular evening he was not m his accustomed place, anu people shuttled and toyed with senvette-rings, and tried not to l>e wailing till the newcomer, a vivacious, freak-tinted littlelady a little turned torty, inquired ot her near neighbor the cause ot the delay. But at that moment the baronet appeared, walking slowly, a heavy cloud On his brow. He took his scat by the side of Miss (.live, tile lady of the establishment, presiding at the head ol the table. He stooped and whispered to her in portentous tones.

"Can eat no dinner!" she answered aloud, in alarmed accents.

"Nothing, nothing," said the baronet, "unless," with a melancholy wave of the hand, "a spoonful, just a-s poonful of tin; >oup. No more—not a drop more," as, | in obedience to his reiniest, the souyladle descended to his plate. "J have m/t mfased taking tliem for fifteen years, and 1 dare not attempt anything iike a full meal without their aid. Until the post arrives to-morrow morning I am a starving man." And mournfully lie applied himself to the soup before him. That de.spatclter, he rose, and, with a muttered apology, lefy tlrj apartment for the drawing-room. On his, departure Miss dive gave the explanation. The baronet could eat not eat bis dinner because his digestive pills—the last two lie possessed till the morning post brought a fresh supply—had disappeared from the box. The pill- - was still standing on the mantlepieoe. but the pills, so the servant reported who had been sent to fetch them, were gone. "Does be think the servant swallowed ihein?"

"I don't know,"' answered Mis-, Cliv, absently, too anxious for the effect upon the permanent boarder to join the general titter around the table, •'but lie says be ehall dismiss him at once for his carelessness."

"What is the number of the baronet's room!" The new-comer asked the question with sharp abruptness. "Number fifteen." "Then it is'next to mine." The lady looked for a moment attentively at her plate, and tben, after the baronet's example, rising, with murmured apologies, quitted the table -and the room. A minute later found her by th.: baronet's chair.

quite sure! Perhaps ther» is -ome mistake. Y>ur servant might have overlooked them. May he jusc give one more look?" l.'ivided between surprise at her in tenerence and her pertinacity, the liaronet. turning, rang the bell uear Uiui, and din-cted his servant to look once more.

Ihe man obeyed. He returned, perplexity on his face, and the pillbox and tw.i innocent-looking pilLs therein. •■ rhere, I told you so!" said the littl(\ ladv, with a slap of her small, white hands.

I he baronet's first sensation wa* joy. •Madam,' lie «aid, with a studied how, "you have the witchery of your sex." But his brow clouded. I j lancing towards his manservant. "1 shall dismiss yon from iny service, }on might have, eo-t ine the lo— of " lit- roso lia-tilv. aii.l. courtesy reminding him. ollcred'his arm to bis bcnenictrev. - 'IV two returned to the dining room. "FoTgiu' the poor inau.'" said the lady, as they went. "No. madam. !Siio-li carelessness is to*> culpable." There was a shuttling back of hotplates and rii'shes, and the baronet's appetite spoke grandly as an adveiltsenieut for tlie pills' digestive ineiils. "And you are teeling unite well tins morning!" It was the morning aiter, and the ladv whose witchery bad secured thebaronet his dinner leaned over his chair.

"Quite, madam." he replied gallantly, tit -•..uuk to vour cleverness. I have not I h.ol a dinner -nil me -o well. <v enjoyed n' -,. |..-rt--'-i a uigii''- re-1 I'T a Ion;; ai •■Then you will noi b -tciu lo- Ihi lint the baronet sh"«k hi- head. •Such clill«ble carleli-ssnes-, mad- >' am!" The lady hesitated. - ; • ■■Could you keep a secret;!" He bowed solemnly. :l Then I will tell you something. My I r. .on joins yours. Thev are much a!,ke. I. too. take pills liefore dinner, - aid I went bv mistake into your your e r. .mi and took vour |>ill>- Afterwards 1 I -lipped up ami placed t.vo of mine in v.,ur box. I feared to tell yon, le-t t'iev -honid not suit yon. But. you ,r. fli'-v have act.-,! admirably. Pray b -,iv you forgive me.' ' I'h'e luronet's politei \va» taxed. | < p. Imd I i hoodwinked, but she had 1' - ved hi- dinner. •■Madam." he -aid. "lb- ell'cct- have |„.|.n too happy I'T resentment; also, j. follow, my -ervaut is nli.olvcd from 1.1.i me." -I ~ui -o "lad." And. her mission .. ,-<.in,.li-h"-<"I- -he mitt.Tcl away. But the baronet'- face a—umed a i,..-dilative expn—ion. A minute later 1 h . \va- -eating bim-ell' m-.ir the lady. ' They were alone in the room. ■ Madam, i' ha- occurred to me. f nil-lit I—the pill- -uited my digestion 'j-. adininibly might I inquire their Iu i me. and where 1 could procure! ' l' "ti,,!,.. ua- a deeper tint in the lady.. | , ■■( ,„iM v.ni keep another -e. ret V ! "I 11,. '.id hi- band o„ hi- heart. •' ! ■F.ithfuliv."' i. i .-n...,," .'..,. ,-.,.,■ -.-. , '••!, menred . • , .h:.:.,. .i .prick .-vit after speaking—- .'':■■]< i- noiliin- -" ■■■'■"■ -ciion-. onlv Hie 1 „,::- vou took l,i-l night were headache '..''pill-.'and I am -.. glad they suited