Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-26
LOVE or MONEY;
A PERILOUS SECRET.
BIZ CHAKLEs READE,
Author of Put Yourself in Els Place"
ETC., ETC., etc.
"A lie, Johnl" said Walter.

a DOCTOR"
Walter grasped John Bakers hand.
God bless you, old man." said he, "fOr
taxing that on your cOnsciencel Well,
you sham have yourself to reproach
Tor my fault. | know first-class govt
doctor IN London; he has cured it more
than once. III wire him down this
minute; you'll despatch the message,
and III go to my father"
The message was sent, and when the
Colonel awoke from an uneasy slumber
he saw his son at the foot of the bed,
gazing piteously at him.
MY dear boy" said he, family, and
held out wasted hand. Walter was
pricked to the heart at this greeting;
not a remonstrance at his absence.
L fear you missed me, father" said
he, sadly.
"That have" said the old man; "but
dare say you didn't forget me, though
you weren't by my side"
The high-minded old soldier said no
more, and put no questions, but conf
ded in his sons affection, and awaited
the result of it. From that hour Wal
ter Clifford nursed his father day and
night. DR.. Garner arrived next day.
He examined the patient, and put
great many questions as to the history
and progress of the disorder up to that
date, and inquired in particular what
was the length Of time the fits general
ly endured. Here he found them all
rather hazy. "Ah," said he, patients
are seldom able to assist their medical
adviser with precise information on this
point, yet it's very important. Well,
can you tell me how long this attack
has lasted?"
They told him that within day or
two"
"Then now" said he, "the most i'm
portant question of all: What day did
the pain Ieave his extremities"
The patient and John Baker had to
compare notes to answer this question,
and they made it out to beabout twenty
days.
"Then he ought to beas dead as her
ring" whispered the doctor.
After this he began to walk the room
and mediate, with his hands behind
him.
open those top windows" said he.
Nov draw the screen, and give his
lungs a chance; no draughts must blow
upon him, you know" Then he drew
Walter aside. do you want to know
the truth? Well, then, his life hangs
on thread. The govt is creeping up
ward, and will inevitably kill him if we
can't get it down. Nothing but heroic
remedies will do that. and it's three to
five against them. What do you say?"
Il dare mott dare not. Pray put the
question to HIM"
Il will" said the doctor; and accord
ingly he did put it to him with a good
deal of feeling and gentleness, and the
answer rather surprised him.
Weak as he was, Colonel Clifford's
dull eye flashed, and he half raised HIM
self on his elbow. what question to
put to a soldierl" said he. why, let us
fight, to be sure. l thought it was
twenty to one-fve to three? [ have
often won the rubber with five to three
against me-"
"Ah!" said DR. Garner, these are the
patients that give the doctor chance"
Then he turned to Baker. 'Have you
any good champagne in the house-not
sweet, and not too dry, and full of fire?"
"Irroy's Carte dor" suggested the
patient, entering into the business with
certain feeble alacrity that showed his
govt had not always been unconnected
with imprudence in diet.
Baker was sent for the champagne. 1t
was brought and opened, and the pa
tient drank some of it fixing. When
he had drank what he could, his eyes
That's a hair of dog that has often
bitten me-"
The wine soon got into his weakened
head, and he dropped asleep.
another draught when he wakes"
said the doctor, "but from fresh bot
tie"
"Wen finish this one to your health
in the servants hail." said honest John
Baker.
DR.. Garner stayed there all night,
keeping up the patients strength with
eggs and brandy, and everything, in
short, except medicine; and he also adj
ministered champagne, but at much
longer intervals.
At one o'clock the next day the pa
tient gave dismal grOan; Walter and
the others started up in alarm.
"Goodl" said the doctor, calmly; NOW
I'll go to bed. Call me if there's any
fresh symptom"
At six o'clock old Baker burst in the
room: "Sir, sir, he have swOre at me
twice. The Lord be praised!"
Excellent" said the doctor, Nov
tell me what disagrees with him most
after champagne"
"Why, Green Chartreuse, to be sure,
said old Baker.
"Then give him a tablespoonful"
said the doctor. Get me some hot
water"
(Which frst?" inquired Baker.
"The patient, to be sure" said DR..
Garner.
Soon after this the doctor stood by
his patients side, and found him with
ing, and, to tell the truth, he was using
bad language occasionally, though he
evidently tried not to.
DIR. Garner looked at his watch. u
think there's time to catch the evening
train"
"Why," said Walter. surely you
would not desert US; this is the crisis
is it not?"
Its something more than that" said
the doctor; "the disease knows its old
place: it has gone back to the foot like
a shot; and if you can keep it there, the
patient will live, he's not the sortOf pa
tient that strikes his colOrs While there's
q baStion left to defend"
These words pleased the old Colone
so that he waved feeble hand above
his head. then groaned most dismally
and ground his teeth to avoid profanity
The doctor. with exquisite gentleneSs
drew the clothes Off his feet, and sent
for a lot of fieecy cotton or wool, anC
warned them all not to touch the bed
nor even to approach the lower part Of
it, and then he once more proposed tC
leave, and gave his reasons.
"Now, look here, you know, / have
done my part, and if give you Specia
instructions to the nurses, they can Ok
the rest. I'm rather dear, and why
should you waste your money!"
"DeaT!" said Walter, warmly; "yOu'rt
as cheap as dirt, and as good as gold
and the very sight of You is a cOmfor
to us. There's a fast train at ten; II
drive YOU to the station after breakfas
myself. Your fees-they are nothing
- IIrn lnrro him aud rrn ore thI