The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-11-29
Bertrand's S Discovery.

In room in an humble street near one
Of the large hospitals sat Bertrand Fermoy.
Though scarcely over thirty, his chestnut
hair displayed many threads of gray, while
his handsome face, with its high, broad,
intellectual forehead, was haggard anti pale
from over study too small care for the
| budy's nourishment, and the canker of a
great trouble hidden deep in the recesses ot
his heart.
One of the walls was covered with rows
OF books, ancieht and modern, chiefly on
the subject of chemistry, ps chology, pa.
thology and anatomy.
Close to another had been constructed a
small furnace, while under the window was
large deal table, on which stood retorts,
crucibles and the usual paraphernalia of ex-
perimental chemistry.
The only bright spot in the place wes in
one corner, where stood clean, 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 mucth.
1t was the only child of Bertrand Fer
moy, who sat at the table porting over a
large volume, often making notes, and oc-
casionally watching with much anxiety q
crucible in the furuae
He was on the eve of q great discovery
discovery that had been the dream of hi.
life; discovery that would make him The
beneiactor Of his race, and honored among
his lellow-men. For the former he toiled
He needed not the latter
For thirty-six hours he had not slept.
ooh, Heaven !" he murmured, abruptly
like the bitter moan made 10y mental pain
as he passed his hand oyer his eyes
"What a moment of delight, OF unspeakabl
Joy, this at one iiIdc would have been {,
me! Now work as creature of habit
even as the blind mill-horse treads his mo
notonous round. Ambition | no long,
possess it. Wealth it has no charms.
toll because this has been the dream of m,
lite-becauso | must-because stronge
power than my own compels me onward
Bahl' he added, irritablyj "why do
give way to such thoughts at time when
need my Urain so cleor?"
Rising, he bent over the crucble.
Its contents appeared to be progressing t
his satisfaction, for he again returned u hi
seat.
Hardly had he done 90, than a moanin
cry from the child aroused him.
"What is it, BERTHE, my mani" he asked
kindly, though the habtual sadness of hi
tones was still apparent.
0 The child did not reply. lie had uttere
the sounds in his slumber; but after tia
!. one glance, Bertrand Fermoy, taking tn
' lamp, knelt eagerly down by the bed
S The little fellows cheeks were flushe,
his lips crimson, his lnlan. forehead col
! tracted with suffering, while his tiny hand
:, were flung restlessly over the coverlet.
i The practised eye Of the doctor undeIstoo
those signs at once.
The fever which had been raging in ii
+ nelghborhood had attacked his Toy.
j. "lll-ill, perhaps unto death !" he erie,
rising erect and throwing up his arm
I, an, and no mother To soothe-to nun
i him On, curse"
He stopped. The fierce light faded lroi
his eyes. His arms fell to his side.
NJ al L., l,l 4, l,,. H., l. I'D,
never cursed her. lie could not even no,
Dropping on his hnees by the child
couch, he sobbed bitterly.
AS he did so, like vision TIE pas, can
vividlY back IN him.
He saw himself again the country doctor
assistant, with that discovery diidlyj but
floating possibility in his brain. He saw
the purpose of his life his sole ambition
be the discoverer.
Again he saw himself at the fisk of Iii
n staying the runaway horse of Alice Kendt
the Squires Daughter rescung her fro
Certain injtry, perhaps desth' For this Il
, Squire, wringing his hand had called hi
friend, giving him praise and thauks. b
. Alice had been more generous. She h;
a, bestowed her love upon the good-lookiu
r studious doctor though all the world h'
said it wss Captain Lascelles's.
He saw once more in that mental visi,
their clandestine meetings, and beheld Il
loving pride in her eyes as she heard aud e
D. tered into his hopes and ambitions.
Sc Once more he saw her standing with HI
,t under the elms one midnight he conle:
ing how dear she was to him, yet fpr her sd
>, bidding her reflect before she cast her
with hisi that she was renouncing iamil
= luxury and comfort, perhaps for penur
He still felt the pressure Of her hand 1
placing it in his, she had said, W 'uld 81
fer that and more for you, bertrand" The
with a smile, Come, love, am to elo
with you, or you with me?"
,s lie recalled their home, at first so happ.
le then the birth ofther boy then the chang
- Alice irritable-somewhat in her lretl
moods, rnocking his isdiseoveryi saying mon
and ease We're better than wasting ones da
p chasing a will-o'-the-wisp.
Her repining for the comforts she had /
nounced-the appearance Of Captain Il
n celles once or twice in the neighborhood
e then Alices fight. Whittier?
as Bertrand Fermoy had made no effort
discover, much less To bring her back.
Why, whsu sbo hated bis IEessncef