The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-02
Ber(rand's Discovery


the large hospitals sat Bertrand Fcrmoy.
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
great trouble hidden deep in the rcccsses
of his heart.
One OF the walls was covered with rows
of books, ancient and modern, chiefly ON
the subjects of chemistry, psychology, path
ology and anatomy.
Close to another had been constructed a
small furnace, while under the window was
Il large deal table, on which stood retorts,
crucibles and the usual paraphcrnalia of
experimental chemistry.
The only bright spot in the place was in
one corner, where stood a clean, low bed,
containing Il pale handsome boy of about
two years, asleep.
His golden hair strcamcd 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 a
large volume, often making notes, and oc-
casionally watching with much anxiety Il
crucible in the furnace.
,
a discovery that had been the dream of his
life; discovery that would make him the
bcncfactor Of his race, and honorcd among
his fcllow-men. For the former he toilcd
He needed not the latter.
For thirty-siX hours he had not slept.
"Oh hcaven!" he murmurcd, abruptly,
like the bitter moan made by mental pain,
as he passed his hand over his eyes. "What
moment of delight, of unspeallable joy,
this at one time would have been to me! /!
Now work us creature of habits, even
rs the blind mill-horsc trr ads his monoton-
Gus round Ambition! I no longer pos
scss it. Wealth it has no charms. l toll
because this has been the dream of my life
because must-bccause a stronger power
than my own compcls me onward. Bah /"
he added, irritably; "why do give way
IT, such thoughts at a time when l need my
brain so clcar?"
Rising he bent over the cruciblc.
It's contents appeared progressing to his
satisfaction, for he again returned to his
scat.
Hardly had he done so, when moaning
cry from the child aroused mm.
"What is it, Berthe, my man2' ho asked,
kindly, though the habitual sadness of his
tones was still apparent.
HO Siilt 'iiN hOt lCpiS' liz Iuu uliCICtl
the sounds in his slumbcr; but after that
one glance, Bertrand Fcrmoy, taking the
lamp, knelt eagerly down by the bed
The little fellows cheeks were flushed,
his lips crimson, his infant forehead CON
tracted with suffering, while his tiny
hands were flung rcstlcssy over the cover
lct
The practice& eye of the doctor under
stood those signs at once.
The fever which had been raging III the
neighborhood had attacked his boy.
"Ill-ill. perhaps unto deathl" he cried,
rising erect and throwing up his arms, "Ill,
and no mother to sOothe-to nurse him! On,
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. lie could not even
now.
Dropping on his knees by the child's
couch, he sobDed bitterly.
AS he did so like vision tho past came
yividly back to him.
Ho saw himself again the country doc
tors assistant, with that discovery dimly,
but floating possibility in his brain. He
saw 1t the one purpose of his life; his sole
ambition to be the discovcrcr.
Again he saw himself at the risk of life,
staying the runaway horse of Alice Ken
dal, the squire's daughter; rescuing her
from certain injury, perhaps death. For
This the squire, wringing his hand, had call
ca him friend, giving him praise and thanks
But Alice had been more generous; she
had bestowed her love upon the good-look-
ing, stndious doctor, though all the world
had said 1t was Captain Lascclles's.
IIn IN W in ,+oi ,,;o
their clandestinc meetings, and behcld the
loving pride in her eyes as she heard and
entered into his hopes and ambitions.
Once more lie saw her standing with him
under the elms one mitlnight lie confess
ing how dear she was to him, yet for her
sake bidding her reflect before she cast her
lot with his; that she was renounCing fam
lily, luxury, and comfort, perhaps for pen
ury. He still felt the pressure of her hand,
as, placing II In his she had said, 81 would
suffer that and more for you, Bertrand"
Then, with smile, "Comc, love, am to
elopc with you, or you with mo2"
lie recalled their home, ut first so hap
py; then the birth of their boy; then the
change
Alice irritable sometimes in her frettul
moods, mocking his discovery; saying
money and case were better than wasting
ones days chasing q will.o'- '-the-wisp.
Her repining for the comforts she had
renounced-the appearance OF Captain las
cclles once or twice in the ncighborhood-
then Alice's flight. Whither9
Bertrand Fcrmoy had made no effort to
discover, much less to bring her back
Why, when she hated his prcsencc2
Why, when her love had gone to anotl,-
er?
Only ont of his own life all sunshine had
departed forever.
Ambition was dead rllc feeling merely
remained that he must perform his destiny
lie must make that discovery.
"rhank Heaven" he Ind thought 'sht
has left me my boy"
Fearful, however, that bis unfaithfu
wife might after while seek to obtain llel
child, ne had sold his practice, and, will
isertie, had hidden away in this poor neigh