Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-04

full face.
''Or her money-which? ?" he asked,
with little sharp bitterness in his
voice.
Both" Doctor North answered. "Do
you consider me too ambitious?"
Doctor Jasper frowned slightly.
"My opinion might not be agreeable
Lyman, and"
North interrupted, with laugh;
GAS it evid emily was not to the fair
beggar.' How in the world had you
the courage to tell her--actually tell
her-you could not afford it?"
All the nobility in Philip Jasper's
nature looked out of his dark eyes.
Glow could you give actually
give her-money that was really not
your own to give?'
81 can't see it in that light" North re-
torted, lighting a cigar.
Then the subject was dropped, and
Doctor Jasper went away to his round
of duties that, day and day out, he con-
scientiously performed, making for his
name and skill a sure, If slow, founda-
ton that would one day be a glorious
structure to his credit
Nellie Lacy's gentle eyes were full of
womanly pity and sympathy, and she
sat patiently listening to Fannie
O'Brien's story; and Fannie was her
upstairs girl-a faithful, intelligent
creature. in whom and whose affairs
the sweet young mistress had always
taken the warmest interest.
"And it is smallpox your mother
has? Oh Fannie, that is terrible-ter-
ribe! Of course it will not be right
for you to come here among us from
her, and of course you must go to her
and take the best care you can of her.
Don't worry about your wages-they
will 60 right on; and, after the doctor
thinks it safe, you must come back.
What doctor have you, Fannie?"
A fresh burst OF sobs came from the
girls quivering lips.
"Indade and that's the sore throuble,
ma'aml It's swim or eight doctners I've
been afther, and niver a wan'n go to
my ould mother, bekase it's bad dis
ease; and I'll not have her took to the
hospital, ma'am. not if [ dies wild her
in the house !"
Nellie's brow contracted IN a sur
prised, thoughtful frown, and look of
indignation was in her eyes.
''No doctor will go? Why, [ never
heard of such thing [ thought doc
tors went wherever they were called,
auntie," and she turned impetuously
toward placid Mrs. Laurence, sewing at
window opposite. "What do you
think of such cruel, heathenish be-
haviorW
Mrs. Laurence looked up, funny
little smile on her lips.
IL simply think that Fannie has hap
pened to call the wrong physician, that
is all. Have you been for Doctor North,
Fannie?"
The girl shook her head.
''North-North, ma'am? No, ma'a m
It's a stranger he is to me-"
He'd 90 in minute" Nellie said,
dainty little flush on her cheeks. "He
is none of your cowardly physicians,
he is a generous, noble, charitable gen
tleman, friend of mine, and [ know
he'll look after your mother, smallpox
Notwithstanding"
Mrs. Laurence smiled ever so coldlv.
"And then there's young DR.. Jasper
my favorite, you know. He would
go, [ am pretty sure"
Nellie's lip curled.
''HOW strange you are auntle! Why.
he is the most distant, haughty, proud,
stingy man / ever saw! Go? He'd
quicker put his head in the fire. But
DR.. North will go. Fannie, III put on
my wraps and 60 around to his Office
with YOU"
And, to the poor creatures grateful
delight, Miss Nellie Lacy actually &C
companled her to DIR. North's office
door, when the bell being answered by
the colored boy. Fannie, with true Irish
impetuosity, blurted out her message
the message that came so straight from
her true, troubled heart.
"It's the docther | be wantin'-Dr.
North to go at onct to see me darling
ould mother, a-dyin' sick with the
smallpox, and ravin' like loonatick,
and"
The loud-spoken intense words that
Nellie could not check in their eager
flow. reached DR.. North's ears as he sat
in his cosy Office, with brilliant gas light,
and one or two choice books and box
of cigars, making IL very congenial to
his tastes.
"Put her out, Lockrey We don't
want the smallpox here! Tell her to go
to the police station for a hospital sur
geon. Shut the door, Lockrey, if you
don't want to catch it. The low, dirty
Irish Biddies are too impudent for any
thing!"
But Fannie's buxom arm kept the
terrified little darkey from obeylng his
orders, and her voice retorted, loud and
anguishful, and Nellie did not try to
quiet her:
"And would yez let me mother die
ike dog, Docther North For shwste
mercy's sake, go wild us docther, and
T'll--"
Nellie heard a quick, angry footstep
coming toward the door, and she shrank
back into the darkness just as Or. North
appeared.
"Clear out, tell you'll What do you
suppose care whether the old woman
dies or lives? ?"
The door was slammed sharp in their
faces.
For one second Nellie's eyes flashed,
then little smile crept to them.
Never mind, Fannie; am just lit
tie mistaken in Doctor North. Well
60 to auntie's choice now, and somehow
begin to think he is the one."
They met Doctor Jasper just leaving
his office, and at word from Nellie,
Fannie addressed him, telling her pit
iful little story with true Irish eloqunce.
Doctor Jasper listened patiently,
gravely.