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Show ssjsjMSSHassvSwsSBsiaMaBMMSSSiaasiiiBSiiiiiMSiBBsssssaiimiSMI The Star Boarder's Pills By P. A. BLYTH (Copyright, by Joseph O. UowUi) 1 "Why are we waiting!" She was a new-comer or she would have known that In this very genteel boarding house, select as were Its-boarders, Its-boarders, the star boarder was an Enr- ' Hah baronet, and that It w&a a feature-ot feature-ot honor accorded him that dinner was never fairly commenced before his arrival ar-rival at the table. The baronet, to do him Justice, wu extremely punctual where replenishing tho Inner man was concerned. But or thU particular evening he was not la his accustomed place, and people Bhuf-fled Bhuf-fled and toyed with rings, and tried to-appear to-appear not to be waiting, till the now-comer, now-comer, a vivacious, fresh-tinted little 'lady, a little turned 40, 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 aids ot illaa Brown, the lady ot the establishment, establish-ment, presiding at the head of the U-ble. U-ble. He stooped and whispered to her in portentlous tones. "Caa eat no dinner!" she anawre4, aloud In alarmed accents. "Nothing, nothing," said the star boarder, "unless," with a melancholy wavo 0 his hand, "a spoonful, just a-spooniul a-spooniul of tho soup. No more, not a-drop a-drop more," as in obedience to his request re-quest the soup ladle descended to hls plat. "I have not missed taking them for 16 years, and I dare not attempt anything like a full meal without their aid. Until tho mall arrives to-morrow morning I am a starving man," and mournfully he applied himself to the. soup placed before him. That dispatched, dis-patched, ho rose, and with a muttered apology left the apartment for the drawing room. At his doparture Miss Brown gave-explanation. gave-explanation. The star boarder could eat no dinner because his digestive pills the last two he possessed till the morning mall brought a fresh supply-had supply-had disappeared from the box. The pill box was still standing on the mantelpiece, mantel-piece, but the pills, bo the sorvant reported re-ported who had been sent to fetch them, were gone. "Does he think tho servant swnl- Jo wed themr" "I don't know," answered Mies Brown, absently, too anxious for the effect upon her permanent boarder to Join In the gsneral Utter around the table; "but he say he shall dismiss, him at once for his eareUsoness." "What Is the number of the baronet's baro-net's room!" The newcomer asked the question with sharp abruptness. "No. 16." "Then It Is next to mine." The lady looked for a moment attentively at her plate, then, after the baronet's example, exam-ple, ruing, with murmured apologies, quitted the table and the room. A minute later found her by the star-boarder's star-boarder's chair. "Are you quite surer Perhaps there Is some mistake. Your sorvant might havo overlooked thorn. May he Just give one more I00VT" Divided between surprise at her Interference In-terference and her pertinacity, the baronet, bar-onet, turning, rang the bell near him and directed his servant to look once more. The man obeyed. He returned, per-plexity per-plexity on his face, with the pill box and two Innocent-looking pills therein. "There, I told you sol" said the little lady, with a cXip or nor small whit hands. The star hoarder's first sensation was Joy. "Madam," ho said, with a studied bow, "you havo tho witchery of your eex." But his brow clouded. Glancing towards his man-servant, "Your carelessness care-lessness Is unpardonable I shall dismiss dis-miss you from my service. You might havo cost mo the loss of" Ho rose haatll.7 and, courtesy reminding him, offered his arm to his benefactress. The two returned to the dining room. "Forgive tho noor man." raid the lady an they went "No, madam; such carelessness Is too culpable." "And you are foellng quite well this morning?" It was the morning after, and the lady whose witchery bad secured se-cured the baronet his dinner loaned over his chair. "Quite, madam," he replied gallantly, gallant-ly, "owing to your clevorness. I hav not had a dinner suit me so woll or en-Joyed en-Joyed ro perfect a night's rest for long while." "Then you will not be so stern towards to-wards your man-servantT" But tho star boarder shook his head. "Such culpable carelessness, madam." Tho lady hesitated. "Could you koep a secret T" Ho 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 jour room and took two pills. Afterwards I slipped up and placed two of mine In your box. t feared to tell you lost they should not Btiit you; but you see they have-acted have-acted admirably. Pray, say you forgive-me." forgive-me." TL aronet's politeness was taxed. "Madam," he said, "the effects have been too happy for resentmenL Also It follows my servant Is absolved from blame.' Thoro was a deeper tint In tho lady'a cheok, tut her eyes wero laughing. "Could you keep another socretT' He laid his band on his heart. "Faithfully." Thon" she rose as though prepared to make quick exit after speaking. "It U notalnx; so very serious; only the pills jou took last night ware rheumatism rheuma-tism plIU; and I am so glad they suit |