The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1880-12-17

The doctors could do no more for th
Dowager Lady Derrick.
When the medical advisers OF tn
lady, who has reached seventy years O
age, recommend the mild climate O
the south of France, they mean in plai
language that they have arrived at tn
end of their resources. Her ladyshi
gave the mild climate fair trial, an,
then decided las she herself expresse,
it) to die at home." Travelling slow
ly, she had reached Paris at the dat
when last heard of her. 1t was thel
the beginning OF November. A weel
later l met with her nephew, Lewis Ro
mayne, at the club.
What brings you to London at thi
time of year?" / asked.
"The fatality that pursues me-" hi
answered, grimly. 81 am one of th'
unluckiest men living"
He was thirty years old; he was mo-
married he was the enviable possessol
of the fine old country seat called
Vange Abbey; he had no poor relations
and he was one of the handsomest men
in England. When / add that am
myself retired army officer, with a
wretched income, disagreeable wife,
four ugly children. and q burden oil
fifty years on my back, no one will be
surprised to hear that I answered Ro-
mayne, with bitter sincerity, in these
words:
ct wish to heaven l could change
places with you F"
4 wish to heaven you could !! he
burst ont, with equal sincerity on his
side. Read that"
He handed me letter addressed to
him by the travelling medical attendant
of Lady Derrick. After resting in Paris
the patient had continued her home
ward journey as far as Boulogne. In
her suffering condition she was liable
to sudden fits of caprice. An insur-
mountable horror of the Channel pas
sage had got possession of her; she
positively refused to be taken on board
the steamboat. In this difficulty the
lady who occupied the post OF her
"conpahion had ventured on a sug-
gestion. Would Lady Derrick consent
to make the Channel passage if her
nephew came to Boulogne expressly to
accompany her on the voyage? The
reply had been so Immediately favorable
that the doctor lost no time in COM
with Mr.. Lewis Romayne.
This was the substance of the letter.
1t was needless to ask any more ques-
lions. Romayne was plainly on his way
10 Boulogne. 1 gave him some useful
Information.
"Try the oysters" I said, cat the res.
taurant on the pier"
He never even thanked me. He was
thinking entirely of himself
just look at my position" he said.
II detest Boulogne cordially share
ny aunt's horror of the Channel pas
age l had looked forward to some
months Of happy retirement in the
country among my books, and what
happens to me? am brought to Lon
Ion in the season of fogs, to travel by
he tidal train at seven tomorrow morn
all for woman with whom I
AVE no sympa.hies in common. If | am
lot an unlucky man, who is p
He spoke in tone of vehement ilri-
alton which seemed to me, under the
circumstances, to be simply absurd.
But my nervous system is no. the irri-
able system-sorely tried by night
tudy and strong tea-of my friend Ro-
nayne. "It's only matter of two days."
remarked by way of reconciling him
o his situation.
How do know that ?" he retorted.
In two days the weather may be
tormy. In two days she may be too ill
D be moved. Unfortunately, am her
cir and l am told 1 must submit to
ny whim that seizes her. Tn rich
nough already; L don't want her
honey. Besides, l dislike all travelling
and especially travelling alone. You
re an idle man. If you were good
lend, you would offer to go with me-"
e added, with the delicacy which was
ne of the redeeming points in his way
ard character, "Of course, as my |
nest"
1 had known him long enough not to I
Ike offense at his reminding me, in this |
onsiderate way, that l was a poor
AN The proposed change of scene
,mpted me. What did l care for the
hannel passage? Besides, there was
le irresistible attraction of getting
way from home. The end of it was
nat accepted Romayne's invitation.