The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-05-31

INOuncN was n ANUNCA BpS
sessed Of wealth, he only dreamed Of its
attainment as the means of enabling him
to cali into execution a scheme for found
ing medical library. Now, that the
words Of his companion presented the
thou Eht to his mind that he might become
an heir, while he deplored the approaching
dissolution of his wifes father, Mr.. Vim
cent, he felt that whatever heritage might
descend to him through the occurrence Of
that event, would be used JudlciOusly and
prohtably for the advancement Of science
and the best interests of society. 50
unused the doctor, earnest, honest soul, lit
tie suspecting that the thought had been
suggested to awaken his cupldity and to en-
able the furtherance Of his newl ly-made ac-
qualntance's project.
- Can | have all interview with MIR.
Vincent, asked Mr. Vivian
. Yes; there can be no harm III allow
ing you that. If it does not excite HIM too
much He is IN a very delicate condition,
and cannot permit him to be awakened
nov. However, when he awakens, if lucid,
viii call YOU and administer him strong Sc
datIve If his business requires immediate
attention tins must be done can quiet
HIM down. and | think he Will be sutfi-
have the strongest doubts as to his ulti-
mate recovery He has all the symptoms
Of brain fever Even If he is delirious,
can sufficiently control his sensibilities with
medicine
Mr. Vivian bowed, and, soon after DIR.
Rodney withdrew to his PATIENTS room.
MIR Vincent slumhered restlessly, and
from his occasion mutterings it was evi-
D., 5+t1l 1t.r.lI
the subject nearest his heart his lost
adopted son Occasionally he would open
his eyes and look at the doctor unmean-
ngly, only to clcse them in slumber again.
DR. Rodney was, unfortunately for his
own good addicted to the temperate use of
alcoholic stimulants His ideas were that
liquor, once Or twice day, was not III the
least injurious, and he kept in his own
room a small sideboard stocked with the
liquors which when wearied he used 10 par
take Of. Upon this day the depression Of
spirits incident upon the bad news which
had afflicted the entire household, and
sense of loneliness produced by the seclu-
SION of his daughter Bella IN her own room,
caused hIm to indulge more freely than
was his wont in his accustomed draught
Almost lmperceptIbly he found himself to-
wards evening considerably affected by
what he had drank, and with an unsteady
vision was about to leave the sick room for
a breath Of fresh air, when his patient
aWuhr.
Ia moment, despite tile fact that his
senses we're. III manner, beclouded, the
doctors keen professional skill was on the
alert He discerned that Mr. Vincent was
partially delIrlous, and that sudden and
uneA pected change had taken place III him
H. opened ms medIcIne-case, but found
that the medicines he usually administered
when a case similar to the one under treat
nleut assumed the phase II now had reach
-i. was not there Tie called the house
keeper. Mrs Leonard, and represented the
-NIgeucy ~ her, and Tom Gray's services
were Immediately called into requisition to
: 10 the village apothecary e. hll Pre-
sDuption
In the heated, close room the doctor felt
everything swim before his eyes, yet he
had sufficient command over himself to
control his unsteady motion from the
hou~rkeeper's eve. lie slowly wrote out
a common prescription IL contained the
uncture Of csrdtim trid, and Uudaitc,
pow rrful combination. which, If taken III
excess produces death in a very short pc
Rod He wrote the prescription, as he
thought, as was usual with hun, II consist
ny 0f one drachm of cerdtSmy cirtde and
one ounce of d,rdHttc. Then he despatched
Tom with the prescription.
The boy took it from DR. Rodney hands.
and after being eXhorted to make haste,
left the room. As he passed alongthe cor
ridor he stopped near the end. for Mr..
Vincent stood there.
Where are you going was that gen
tlemans query as he stopped young Gray
"To the apothecarys, was Toms re-
ply.
(" All, indeed Is Mr.. Vincent worse"
e. Yes SIT.
" Let me see the prescription.
Tom Gray hesltated, and then handed it
to Mr. Vivian, wondering strangely at the
bequest.
Mr. Vivian opened the folded prescrip
ton. and as his eyes fell upon the written
words his eyes flashed with a sudden glow
Of dangerous thought He turned from the
boy, took lead pencil from his pocket, and
placed 1t on the paper.
Quick as was the movement, whether II
was an erasure or an addition whether
with fair or foul design, the lad saw the ac-
ton II vas suspicious move, but he
took the prescription from Mr.. Nivlans
hands again without word, and started
hurredly towards the front door.
Mr.. Nivians eyes sparkled with new
/ light as the boy disappeared, and his face
I became demonlac IN its expression Of utter
\ and absolute triumph
\ Then he turned towards the light, when
suddenly figure stepped from the alcove
near blythe figure Of man, tall, gaunt
and attenuated. Its wicked eyes were
Y fixed on those Of the Mortified Mr.. Nivians
\ for moment, and then it flew down the
corridor, and disappeared through the
1 door which led to the entrance.
4 Sidney Nivian's lips gave utterance to
one short cry of horror and startled alarm
as he fell rather than leaned against the
wall for support Then his pale face was
hidden in his hands, and he murmured :
" Conrad Markham 1t cannot be-lt
was some vision Of my fancy
He staggered forward and reeled into
the alcove 1t was quite large enough to
contain human being, and it was in deep
shadow Yet he muttered to himself
"No, no 1t cannot be Conrad
Markham is dead, and he could not be
here were he living. It is some fancy OF
my mind-it was not him.
CHAPTER III.
IN THE FoILs.