Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-01-16
DR.. VandelIar's Device.

L tell you, Marx, that what you ask
is impossible! My banking account is
already overdrawn, you hold bill OF
sale over this furniture and my horses
and carriages, and | haven't a penny
in the world but this handful of
loose silver-and you don't want that,
| suppose?"
We'll, theventeen- and thixpenth
wouldn't go far TO pay off theventeen
hundred pounds would it? Ask your
theft, Mr.. Vandellar," and Moses
Marx smiled affably, rubbing his fat
yellow hands one over the other as
comfortably as though he were DR..
Vandellar's greatest friend, instead
of his most implacable creditor.
The doctor frowned inquiringly.
Seventeen hundred pounds?" he
cried, incredulously. What are you
talking about? The bill you dis
counted was drawn for fifteen hundred
only"
'Yeth, | know" returned Mr.. Marx,
calmly, but the other two hundreds
extra interest for cashing a forgery"
'Forgery!' exclaimed DR.. Vande1lar
iii well-assumed Indignation and SUR
prise. That's an ugly word, Marx
and his long, Wiry hands twitched
nervously, making Mr.. Marx think
how painfully they would prove if dug
vindictively into his fat throat.
Il know it's an ugly word, doctor;
but it isn't so ugly as the crime itself
What's the use of beating about the
bush? | knew that the names on the
back of your bill were fOrgeries when
l discounted it,
You Internal old scOundrel! But
why did you, the shrewdest, most
close-fisted money lender in London,
discount a bill you knew to be
forged?"
For the thimple reason, my friend,
that | knew you'd have TO take it up
when it fell due"
Then you've made a mistake;
can't. The bills overdue now"
oh another day or two don't mat
ter to me-, said Marx, airily.
But don't you see," explained the
doctor, impatiently, don't you see
that I'm broke-smashed altogether"
1T can't be so bad as that? No, no.
Now, Vandellar, my boy, you're jok-
ing; now, amt you?"
NO" answered Vandellar, grimly,
Il never was more serious in my life :"
Then, if that's the case" stormed
Mr.. Marx, his amiability suddenly
vanishing, you'll have to meet this
bill tomorrow or go to prison.
Very well,' said the doctor, who
grew calm as his creditor became eX-
cited If that's your decision, you
may as well send for the police at
once"
Now, Mr.. Marx knew that to send
DR.. Vandellar to prison would be to
irretrievably lose his money, which he
did not wish to do; so he instantly
Gained down. Look here, Vandel-
lar" said he, cant we come to some
arrangement? You've got a lot of pay
ing patients in the hOuse-can't you
squeeze some of them for a hundred
or two?"
I've pumped their purses dry, I'm
afraid" returned Vandellar sadly.
"Those gold shares you recommended
to me have swallowed up every penny
lately. To be sure, there's old Sir
Michael Trefusis; he's been with me
some years now and I've got consid-
cradle influence over him. He isn't
likely to last much longer, and he
shouldn't be very fond of his nephew,
if my words have had any effect. Ii
| could get him to leave me something
handsome under his will, would you
wait until his death?"
"Oh, certainly, with pleasure. But
l shall have to see the will, my boy
and | shall want to be sure it amt a
forgery, just as a matter of business,
you know!
Dr. Vandellar flushed at the allu-
sion.
I shan't put myself doubly i'll your
power, Marx" he said. will you call
tomorrow? and I'll tell you how l get
on tonight. If possible, I'll get the
matter settled before morning"
tn call at TO-" agreed Mr.. Marx,
radiant at the prospect of recovering
his money.
Then, till morning, au revoir," said
Vandellar, showing his visitor from
the room. No doubt l shall be ready
for you"
Dr.. Ohio Vandellar, fashionable ply
stefan, medical specialist and daring
speculator, was in a tight fix, but he
meant to get out of it. There was
only one way-that which he had in,
Dictated. Old, paralytic Sir Michael
at present under his tender care, lnus
be coerced into making a will in hi:
favor. That done, the old soldier:
death would be merely a matter o
time-and perhaps, opportunity.
Being a man of action, the doctor
rose from his reverie and left hi
study with the intention of visiting
his wealthy patient. AS he ascendeC
the strairs he heard the street doc
close with bang. Meeting his house
keeper, Mrs. Mallinger, on the landing
Vandeliar asked who had just gon
out.
Young Mr.. Harold Trefusis, ST
Michaers nephew" the woman replied
"He had private interview with hi
uncle, sir, and left the room in an aw
full hurry"
Left the room in a hurry! Shut tn
door after him with a bang! Tha
seemed to imply anything but a pleas
ant interview between uncle an
nepheW. and Vandellar ausured we