Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-11-13

apartment. On every side plain
shelves, filled with books, reached
from the ceiling to the floor; the
furniture was of the barest and
simplest kind; a couple Of tables piled
with books and papers, two or three
step-ladders for reaching the books,
and six library chairs.
Here" said Lord Kildonan, look
ing around him in the gloom with a
loving smile L spend nearly all my
time now Very often l sit up half
the night with my work, which, by the
bye, l must show you, if you are inter
ested in philology."
Very MUCH" murmered the young
man, politely.
4 have a theory on the origin of
language which | believe to be entirely
new, and | am most anxious to bring
it before the attention Of phiIolOgistS
through the medium of little ook on
which I am now engaged-of which,
in fact, more than four volumes are
already finished. My theory is that
all languages have for their starting
point the vowel o, which is, you will
have observed the first sound emit
ted by the human infant, and the first
cry of adult nature in pain, anger, or
surprise, three sensations which throw
the man back by their acuteness into
his primitive state, in which, there
fore, we may Judge him as being I'M
| der the influence Of instinct alone.
Starting from this fact But | will
give you my first treatise on this sub
ject; it is only a pamphlet, and will
not take you long to run through, and
it will prepare you thoroughly for my
longer and more important works, if
ever you care to read them"
Il shall be delighted said Arma-
thwaite, remembering something
about joke, a surgical operation and
a Scotchman's head. But he felt the
pathos of the old students next
speech.
Il have worked harder than ever
lately That is the great advantage
OF a love of study; it is such a re-
source if things go at all wrong in
the world outside"
81 suppose it u.s." answered the
young man gravely. But I've never
myself had the kind of trouble one
can get away from like that Not
that I've had a particularly large
share Of troubles of any sort, except
| the struggles of a man to get a fair
start in life"
Il am certain" said Lord Kildonan.
looking at him with much interest in
the gloom, that you are the young
fellow DR.. Peele once spoke to me
about, as showing a perfect genius
for investigation, so that when any
malady was brought under your notice
you never rested until you had found
out not only cause for it, but the
right cause. He described your ap-
pearance to me though he did not
mention your name"
Il wonder DR.. PeeIe spoke so strong
ly as that said the young doctor
modestly, 'for it is years since l was
a student under him at Guys. 1t is
nothing to do with genius, but simply
the most common place and plodding
care, which all doctors are bound to
take, not to pronounce an opinion
until one has gathered as many of
the facts of the case as one can pos
sibly get hold Of
Yes. Well. that is just what I
want doctor to do, but it is lust
what | can't get DR.. Peele to do. [
wish you were staying in this neigh
borhood; l should consult you, and
put your talents to the test
About yourself, Lord Kildonan?"
No, about my wife,
Armathwaite felt a shock. and held
his breath; not indeed that he had
the least idea of what the facts might
be upon which Lord Kildonan wished
to consult him, but he knew that the
case would be a difficult and delicate
one,
''0n two occasions lately" Lord
ildonan continued gravely, Il have
been taken suddenly i'll from too
close application to my studies, which
often pursue until far into the night.
On each of these occasions Lady Kill
donan has been entirely Frustrated for
a couple of days by her anxiety on
my account, Frustrated both in body
and mind, and rendered so nervous
and lifeless that I have felt the gray
est apprehensions for her. You. who
know what high spirits she generally
has, can understand how great the
change must be. Now it seems to
me, although [ am touched by it. that
there is something gravely wrong
when a bright young creature like
that, who seems full of health and
life, can be suddenly reduced to the
inanimation Of statue by what most
wives would only consider a tri1ing
matter-the temporary indisposition
of a not very lively husband"
Armathwaite assented. There was
something gravely wrong, certainly.
Now upon inquiry | find" Lord
kildonan's voice began to trembIe,
that there have been cases in her
family, remote, certainly, but none the
less real, of a malady which seems to
me to correspond terribly we'll with
the symptoms l have noticed in her:
1t is heart disease" His voice broke
on the last word; the peril it suggest
ed was too horrible for calm consider
alton. After a pause he cleared his
throat and went on again. Now if
this is so, the system l go upon with
her-of allowing her every innocent
excitement she loves-is not only