The Baronet's Surprise.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13608, 30 May 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Baronet's Surprise.

"Why are we waiting?" She was a new-comer, or she would have known that in this very genteel boardingbouse, select as were the 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 really commenced, before his arrival at the table. The baronet, to do him justice, was extremely punctual when replenishing the. inner man was concerned. But on this particular evening he was not in his accustomed place, and people shuffled and toyed with serviette-rings, and tried not to be waiting till the new-comer, a vivacious, fresh-tinted little lady a little turned forty, inquired of her near neighbour the cause of the 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 Clive, the lady of the establishment, presiding at the head of the table. He stooped and whispered to her in portentous toins.

" Can eat no dinner!" she answered alond, in alarmed accents. "Nothing, nothing!" said the baronet, "'unless," with a melancholy wave of the 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 misled taking them for fifteen years, and I dare not attempt anything like a full meal without their aid. Until the post arrives to-morrow morning I am a starving man." And mournfully he applied himself to the Soup before him. That despatched, he rose, and with a muttered apology, left the apartment for the drawing-room. On his departure Miss Clive gave the explanation. The baronet could not eat his dinner because his digestive pills—the last- two he possessed till the morning post brought a fresh supply—had disappeared from the box. The pill-box was still standing on the mantlepiece, 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 the permanent boarder to join 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?" 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 then, after the baronet's example. rising, with murmured apologies, quitted the table and the room. A minute later found her by the baronet's chair. "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 lii» face, and the pi 11-box and two innocent-looking pills therein. '"Then>. I told yon so!" «aid the little lady, with a slap of her small, white hands. The baronet's first sensation was joy. "Madam," he said with a studied bow. •yon haVf- the witchery of your sex." But hit brow clouded. Glancing towards his rnanservant. "I shall dismiss you from my service. Yoa might liavc cost nu- the W-< of "* He refit' hastily, aud. roiivtesy reminding him. offered his arm to; his bene fact iv.». The two returned to the dining-room. "Forgive- the poor man." said the lady, as they went. "No. madam. Such enivl-ss'ih-i-: is too culpable." There was a shuffling back of hot plates and dishes, and the baronet"* appetite spoke gTandly as an advert tor the | pills* digestive merits;. i "And yti are feeling quite v.ri l this l morning?" j Ic was the morning aft»r. and tlu- lady whose witchery had .k-c.ui-,1 the baronet his dinner lean-'d over •■li.iir. • Quite, madam," he replied gallantly, "owing to your cleverness. f hare not had a dinner stilt me so well, or enjoyed so perfect a night's rrst. for a long while." "Then you will not be so stern towards your manservant?" But the baronet shook his head.

" Such culpable carelessness, madam!" The lady hesitated. "Gould you keep a secret?" He bowed solemly. "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. Afterwards I slipped up and placed two of mine in your box. I ieared to tell you, lest they should not suit you. But, you see they have acted admirably. Tray say you forgive me." The baronet's politeness Was taxed. He had been hoodwinked, but she had saved his dinner. " Madam," he said, "the effects have been too happy for resentment; also if follows, my servant is absolved from blame." " I am so glad." And, her mission accomplished, 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 1 the pills suited 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, and her eyes were laughing. " Could you keep another secret?" H© laid his hand on his heart. ( " Faithfully." \. "Then"—she rose as though prepared to make a quick exit after speaking—"it is nothing so very serious, only the pills you took last night were headache pills, and I am glad they suited you."