Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1905 — A BARONET’S PILLS [ARTICLE]

A BARONET’S PILLS

“Why are we waiting?” She was a newcomer, or Bhe would have known that Ln this very genteel boarding house, secret as were ltd boarders, the baronet, who was permanent, by tacit consent took the lead, and that It was a feature of the honor accorded him that dinner was never fairly commenced, the carving and serving really entered upon, before bis arrival at the table. The baronet, to do him justice, was extremely punctual where replenishing of the inner man was concerned. But on this particular evening he was not in his accustomed place, and people shuttled and toyed with serviette rings and tried to appear not to be waiting till the newcomer, a vivacious, fresh tinted little lady, a little turned forty, inquired of her near neighbor the cause of delay. But at that moment the baronet appeared, walking slowly, a heavy cloud on his brow. He took his seat by the side of Miss ('live, the lady of the establishment, presiding at the head of the table. He stooped nnd 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 his hand, "a spoonful. Just a spoonful of the soup. No more, not a drop more,” as in obedience to his request the soup ladle descended to his plate. “I have not missed taking them for fifteen years, and I dare not attempt anything like a full meal without their aid. Until the post arrives tomorrow morning I am a starving man." And mournfully he applied himself to the soup placed before him. That dispatched, he rose and with a muttered apology left the apartment for the drawing room. At his departure Miss Clive gave explanation. The baronet could eat no dinner because his digestive pills, the last two he possessed till the morning post brought a fresh supply, had disappeared from the box. The pillbox was still standing on the mantelpiece, but the pills, so the servant reported who had been sent to fetch them, were gone. “Does he think the servant swallowed them ?” “I don’t know” answered Miss Clive absently, too anxious for the effect upon her permanent boarder to Join i:i the general titter around the table, “but he says he shall dismiss him at once for his carelessness.” “What is the number of the baronet’s room r The newcomer asked the question with sharp abruptness. “No. 15." “Then it Is next to mine.” The lady looked for a moment attentively at her plate and then, after the baronet's example, rising, with murmured apologies, quitted the table and the room. ▲ minute later found her by the bar-

”Are you quite sure? Perhaps there Is some mistake. Your servant might have overlooked them. May he just give one more look?” Divided between surprise at her Interference and her pertinacity, the baronet, turning, rang the bell near him and directed his servant* to look once more. The man obeyed. He returned, perplexity on his face, with the pillbox and two innocent looking pills therein. “There, I told you so!” said the little Indy, witli a clap of her small, white hands. The baronet’s first sensation was Joy. “Madam,” he said, with a studied bow, “you have the witchery of your sex.” But ills brow clouded. Glancing toward ills manservant. “1 shall dismiss you from my service.” There was a scuffling back of hot plates and dishes, and the baronet’s appetite spoke grandly as an advertisement for the pill's digestive merits. “And you are feeling quite well this morning?” It was the morning after, and the lady whose witchery had secured the haronet his dinner leaned over his chair. “Quite, madam,” he replied gallantly, “owing to your cleverness. I have not had a dinner suit me so well or enjoyed so perfect a night’s rest for a long while.” "Then you will not be so stern toward your manservant?” But the baronet shook Ills head. “Such culpable carelessness, madam!” The lady hesitated. “Could you keep a secret?” He bowed solemnly. "Then I will tell you something. My room joins yours. They are much alike. I, too. take pills before dinner, and I went by mistake into your room and took your pills. Afterward I slipped up and placed two of mine in your box.” “Madam, the effects have been too happy for resentment; also. It follows, my servant Is absolved from blame.” “I am so glad.” And. her mission aecomplisiied. she fluttered away. But the baronet’s face assumed a meditative expression. A minute later he was seating himself near the lady. They were alone in the room. “Madam. it has occurred to me, might I—the pills suited my digestion so admirably—might I inquire their name and where I could procure them?” There was a deeper tint in the lady's cheek, bnt her eyes were laughing. “Could you keep another secret?” He laid his hand on his heart. “Faithfully.” “Then,” she rose as though prepared to make quick exit after speaking, “it is nothing so very serious, only the pills you took last night were rheumatism pills, and I am so glad they suited you.”