Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10

F, undertook that he should know what
news she received from Paris as soon as
she knew it herself On that understand
lag they par, ed, for the time being.
CHAPTER XXv.-THE DOCTOR IN DIFFICULT
TIES.
| Slowly the weeks passed. Strictly Mrs,
| Vimpany kept her promise.
| When she heard from Iris the letter was
! always sent to Hugh, to be returned after
| he had read it. Events in the lives of the
| newly -married pair MANY of which Doint-
ed to the end that Mrs Vimpany saw and
| dreaded, were lightly, sometimes testing
| IL, related by the young wife. Her blind
| belief in her husband. sincerely asserted
| in the earlier part of the correspondence,
| began TO betray. in her later letters signs
| of self-delusion. 1t was sad, indeed. 10
see that bright intelligence rendered in
| capable of conceiving suspicious which
might have occurred to the mind of a
child
When the latest news from Paris follow
ed, in due course, MouGtjoy was informed
of it by note from Mrs. Vimpany, ex-
pressed in these terms:
my last letter from Iris is really no let
ter at all. 1t simply incloses a circular,
with her love, and asks me to send it on to
you. If it is in your power to make in
quiries in the right quarter. 1 am sure
YOU will not hesitate to take the trouble.
There can be little doubt, as think that
Lord Harry is engaged in a hazardous
speculation, more deeply than his wife is
willing to acknowledge"
! The circular announced the contemplate
ed publication of a weekly newspaper,
printed partly in English, and partly in
| French. having its chief office in Paris
and being intended to dispute the advant-
ages of a European circulation with the
well-knOWn Continental journal called
Claimants Messenger. a first list of
contributors included names of some no.
toriety in the literature of England and
the literature of France Spectators who
wished to know, in the first place, on
what security they might reckon, were re-
ferred to the managing committee, repre-
sented by persons of Importance in the
financial worlds of London and Paris
Being in position to make the inquiries
which Mrs Vimpany had suggested, Hugh
received information which verified the
statements contained in the circular. aud
vouched for the good faith of those per-
sons who were concerned in directing the
speculation. So far, so good.
But. when the question of success was
next discussed the authorities consulted
shook their wise heads. 1t was impossible
to say what losses might not be suffered
and what sums of money might not be re-
quired before the circulation of the new
journal would Justify the hope of success.
This opinion Hugh communicated to Mrs.
Vimpany: Iris was informed of it by that
days post.
\ longer time than usual elapsed before
anv further news of Lord Harry and his
wife was received by Mountjoy. When
he did at last hear again from Mrs. Vimp
any, she forwarded letter from Iris dated
from a new address, ia the suburb of
Paris, called Passy.
From motives of economy Urls wrote)
her husband had decided on change of
residence. They were just established in
their new abode, with the advantages of
l
cultivate aud purer air to breathe than
the air Of Paris. There the letter ended,
without the slightest allusion to the forth
coming newspaper, or to the opinion that
had been pronounced on the prospects OF
success.
In forwarding this letter Mrs. Vimpany
wrote on the blank page as follows: Il am
sorry to add that some disquieting news
of my husband has reached me. For the
present | will say no more. 1t is at least
possible that the report may not be worthy
of belief"
A few days later the report was con-
trmed, under circumstances which had
certainly not been foreseen. Mr.. Vimpany
himself arrived at the hotel Oh Visit to
Mountjoy.
Always more OF less superior to the
amiable weakness of modesty, the doctor
seemed to have risen higher than ever in
his own estimation since Hugh had last
seen him. He strutted he stared conf
IDENTIFY at persons and things; authority
was in his voice when he spoke. and lofty
indulgence distinguished his manner when
he listened.
"How are your" he cried, with a grand
gaiety, as he entered the room. Fine
weather, isn't it, for the time of year?
You don't look well. l wonder whether
you notice any change in me?''
You seem to be in good Spirits" Hugh
replied. not very cordially.
do [ carry my head high?" Mr.. Vimp-
any went on. when calamity strikes at
a man, don't let him cringe and cry for
pity-let him hit back again! Those are
my principles. Look at me. Now do look
at me. Here | am, cultivated person, a
member of an honorable profession, man
of art and accOmplishment-stri of
every blessed thing belonging to me but
the clothes [ stand up in. Give me your
hand Mountjoy It's the hand, sir, of
bankrupt"
You don't seem to mind it much,"
MOuntjOy replied.
why should l mind it?" asked the doc
tor. 'There isn't medical man in En-
gland who has less reason to reproach
himself than l have. Have l wasted
money in rash speculations? Not far
thing. Have | been fool enough to bet at
horse races? My worst enemy daren't say
it of me. What have | done, then? Ihave
toiled after virtue-that's what I have
done. Oh, there's nothing to laugh at!
When doctor tries to be the medical
friend of humanity; when he only asks
leave to cure disease, to soothe pain, to
preserve life-isn't that virtue? And what
is my reward? 1 sit at home, waiting for
my suffering fellow-creatures: and the
only feollw-creatures who come to me are
too poor to pay. have gone my rounds,
calling on the rich patients whom | bought
when | bought the practice. Not one of
them wanted me. Men, women and chill
dren were all inexcusably healthy-devil
take them! Is it wonderful if man be-
comes bankrupt in such situation as
mine? By Jupiter, l go farther than thatI
l say, man owes it to himself (as a pro-
test against undeserved neglect)t to become
a bankrupt. If you will allow me, FL
take chair"
ITO ha continual \