Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-02-12

| AL rlght-iH see MN. Ii any ono
calls. show them into my study-here's
the key-and call me directly"
In entering the sick room, Noel saw at
glance that no change for the better had
occurred during his absence.
The sick woman, with close-shut eyes,
and convulsed face, was lying on the bed
in mortal agony. One might have thought
her dead, were it not for the sudden
movements Of the pale hands, and the
raising of the counterpane from time to
time, as she moved her limbs in pain.
He bent his head and whispered in
trembling voice, "Well-how is shef"
The doctor shook his head with thor
oughly disheartened look.
II understand your silence, Harvey"
murmured Noel. "Theres no hope-is il
not sol"
"None from science. Still don't des-
pair."
"What makes my heart ache is to see
her SO utterly unconscious of all that is
taking place around her. Will she die
without recovering her reasoni Won't
| she recognise me, nor speak to mel"
II can't say. This malady, my poor
fellow, is one of those that may, at any
moment, utterly upset the rules laid down
for it. The symptoms are always varying,
and the patient that we pronounce nearly
out of danger to-day, may be something
more than at deaths door tomorrow"
"She may speak thenf"
every probably"
"And"-Noel hesitated-"with tho full
possession of her sensesl"
"Perhaps; but why do you ask mel"
And, for the first time, the doctor looked
his friend curiously in the face.
"Because one word-but one, pro-
nounced by her lips-would be invaluable
to me-"
"Oh, you mean about your casei Well,
as regards that, can promise nothing.
You have as many chances in your favor
as against you. Only on no account quit
the house; keep close at hand. If her
reason returns, and it will be as the light
ming flash, profit by it whilst you have
time; tbs the advice Of friend and doc
tor. And now goodbye, for the present"
And, without waiting for reply, he seized
his hat and was gone.
But there was no peace for Noel that
day.
He was just returning to the sick-room,
when the servant announced that gen.
tleman-"a queer sort of gentleman, who
wouldn't give his name, was waiting for
him in the study"
With half-muttered curse, and a
| gloomy air, the barrister turned on his
heel, and proceeded to his private room."
The "queer sort of gentleman" des-
cribed by the maid, met him at the door.
"At last you have come, Monsieur Du-
croe. You've been SO long about it, that I
gave you up altogether"
"Ha, ha! Better late than never--better
late than never"' said his visitor, placing
his hat on chair. "Thats my motto,
sir; that's my motor
Noel muttered something that didn't
sound complimentary.
ave called at the desire of lady. a
dear friend of yours; and, may say,
dear friend of mine-Miss Nellie Nichol-
SON.
| Noel smiled, forced smile, and point
ed to n chair.
his visitor was q person well-known in
the money-lending world. He had no
| occasion to advertise, he was known every
where. He was quite celebrated for his
amlable and urbane character, and, hav-
ing great deal of money to spare, he
had no objection to lend it to his friends.
In recompense Of which small services, he
kindly consented to take an interest from
twenty to fifty per cent.
Worthy man! he had a real affection
for his clients. He was never known to
have imprisoned debtor-he preferred
Puahuih6 hAiis utHl GOWN 1Of
ten to fifteen years; and after he had oh
tanned his money piecemeal by piecemcul.
generally left him with broken heart,
or comfortably settled in the workhouse.
The people he preferred principally to
deal with were ladies of doubtful reputa-
ton; theatrical people who had fallen into
difficulties, either from the failure of some
speculation, or through ill-health; also
those audacious beings whose existence
depends solely on those who require their
aid and assistance, such as authors, bar.
risters, and doctors.
TO ladies, he lent upon their beauty
while it lasted.
TO men, striving men, upon their talent
while it lasted.
A deadly old man to call "patron" and
friend was Monsieur Ducroe He was like
the awful "sea-devil" described by Victor
Hugo something soft and pulpy; a
thing of suckers, who embraced you
every way, drawing tho life blood from you
with its caressing but deadly touch. And
this was the man Nelli. Nicholson had
sent to the man she hoped to be her fu-
ture husband. A brain of feather and
heart of lead, like the Lamia of the old
Greek fable; woman and serpent COM
bined.
Old Ducros had trusted great deal 10
Nellie's beauty.
"a jewel of price, sir" he woull say
"a jewel of price! Flawcd, as they all are;
but, where fools are plentiful-and where
are they notl-a safe investment in the
market Look at this hard-headed law
yer to wit: why, sir, that man would bot
anize on his mothers grave as the say
ing is, if he could only pluck flower to
place upon his mistress's resplendent
bosom. A great man sir, is Noel Gerdy-
great man, full of small sins! You've
heard of the tiny but ever active worm.
that eats into the stately ship; till one day,
suddenly, with sails full set for fortune
and colors flying, do,on it goes-down-
down-into the unfathomable depths Of
the sea! In that ship you have picture
of this energetic, all-seeking barrister; in
that worm you see the woman, one Of
ten thousand, who slowly dra.Ss him down
TO certain ruin and death!'
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE MoNEY LENDERS CONSCIENCE.
The barristsr-who knew the man he