Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-12-04
Bertrand's Discovery.

I'LL oaANNN ANNt OAAN
of the large hospitals sat Bertrand Fer
moy. Though scarcely over thirty, his
chestnut hair displayed many threads OF
gray, while his handsome face, with its
high, broad, intellectual forehead. was
haggard and pale from over study, too
small care for the body's nOurishment,
and the canker of a great trouble hidden
deep in the recesSes of his heart.
One of the walls was covered with
rows of books, ancient and modern,
CHIEFLY on the subjects of chemistry,
psychology, pathology and anatomy.
Close to another had been constructed
a small furnace, while under the win
dow was large deal table, on which
stood retorts, crucibles and the usual
paraphernalia of experimental chemis-
ty.
The only bright spot in the place was
in one corner, where stool a c.ean, low
bed, containing pale, handsome boy OF
about two years, asleep.
His golden hair Streamed in bright
curls over the pillow, and one tiny hand
was pressed to his rosebud mouth.
1t was the only child of Bertrand Fer
moy, who sat at the table pOring over
large volume, often making notes, and
occasionally watching with much anxi-
ETY. crucible in the furnace.
He was on the eve of a great discove-
~; a discovery that had been the dream
of his life; discovery that would make
him the benefactor of his race, and hon
ored among his fellow men. For the
former he toiled. He needed not the
latter.
For thirty-six hours he had not slept.
"0h heavenr he murmured, abruptly,
like the bitter moan made by mental
plin, as he passed his hand over his eyes.
What moment of delight, of unspeak-
able joy, this at one time would nave
been to mel Now l work as a creature
of habit, even as the blind mill-horse
treads his monotonous round. Ambi-
toni l no longer possess it. Wealth. it
has no charms. / toll because this has
been the dream of my life-because !
must-because a stronger power than
my own compels me onwardl Bahr' he
added, irritably; "why do L give way to
such thoughts at time when l need my
b:ain so clearf"
Rising he bent over the crucible.
Its contents appeared progressing to
his satisfaction, for he again returned
to his seat.
Hardly had he done so, than a moan.
ing cry from the child aroused him.
what is it, Berdie, my man?" he
asked kindly, though the habitual sad
ness of his tone was still apparent.
The child did not reply. He had ut
tered the sounds in his slumper; but af.
ter that one glance, Bertrand Fermoy
taking the lamp, knelt eagerly down by
the bed. 5
The little fellows cheeks were flushed
his lips crimson, his infant forehead CON
tracted with suffering, while his tiny
hands were flung restlessly over the GOV
erlet.
The practiced eye of the doctor under
stood these signs at once.
The fever which had been raging il
the neighborhood had attacked his boy.
"Ill-ill, perhaps unto deathl" he cried
rising erect and throwing up his arms
I'LL, and no mother to soothe-to nurse
himi Oh, curse"
He stopped. The fierce light faded
from his eyes. His arms fell to his side
Notwithstanding all he had to bear, he
had never cursed her. He could moi
even now.
Dropping on his knees by the child's
couch, he sObbed bitterly.
As he did so, like a vision the past
came vividly back to him.
He saw himself again the country
doctors assistant, with that discovery
dinly, but floating possibility in his
brain. He saw it the one purpose OF
his life; his sole ambition to be the dis.
coverer.
Again he saw himself at the risk OF
life, staying the runaway horse of Alice
Kendall, the squire's daughter; rescuing
her from certain injury, perhaps death
For this the squire, wringing his hand
had called him friend. giving him praise
and thanks. But Alice had been more
generous; she had bestowed her love
upon the gOOd-looking, studious doctor
though all the world had said it was
Captain Lascelles's.
He saw once more in that mental Wis
ion their clandestine meetings, and be-
held the loving pride in her eyes as she
heard and entered into his hopes and
ambition.
Once more he saw her standing with
him under the elms one midnight; he
confessing how dear she was to him, yet
for her sake bidding her reflect before
she cast her lot with his; that she was
renouncing family, luxury, and comfort
perhaps for penury. He still felt the
pressure of her hand, as placing it in his
she said, 81 would suffer that and more
for you, Bertrand" Then, with smile
"Come, love, am to elOpe with you, OF
you with me?"
He recalled their home, at first so hap
py; then the birth of their boy; then
the change.
Alice irritable-somewhat in her fret
full moods, mocking his discovery say
ing money and ease were better thar
wasting ones days chasing a will-O-the
wisp.
Her repining for the comforts she hat
renounced-the appearance of Captain
Lascelles once or twice in the neighbor
hood-then Alice's flight. Whittier?
Bertrand Fermoy had made no effort
10 discover, much less to bring her back
Why, when she hated his presence?
Why, when her love had gone to an
other?"
Only out of his own life all sunshine
had departed forever.
Ambition was dead. The feeling mere
ly remained that he must perform hi:
destiny He must make that discovery
Thank heaven" he had thought, ssht
has left me my boy"
Fearful, however, that his unfaithfu
wife might after while seek to Obtain
her child, he had sold. his practice, and
with BERTHE, had hidden away in this
poor neighborhOod, where he had tOile(
ON, until success and fever had entered
L a11 ha nh
PASSED rapidly through his brain. The1
the child's necessity occurred to him
cooling medicines were required.
He rose, and after careful examina
tion of the crucible, taking his hat, raI
down stairs.
In the next street was druggist, ant
to that he directed his steps.
The night was dark, rain was falling
But Bertrand Fermoy was too engross
ed by his new sorrow to heed it, or thai
he was heinp followed by woman Wb(