Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-08-03
CHAPTER u.


les OF chairs. ar the drab-Dainted
paueIIed walls, made cheerful by a set
OF engravings in furnished gilt, fly
specked frames of the princes OF the
blood royal: II. r. II. the prince
recent. with his brothers the Dukes
OF York. Clarence, Kent, Cumberland.
Sussex. and Cambridge, each with a
little square tasselled pillow at the top
OF the frame and, repOsing, thereon,
a very shabby corOlet; while the two
windows. with their faded curtains,
looked across a row Of rusty spikes
at a prospect composed Of a gaunt old
house, evidently let in lodgings.
Richmond Charley, looked as
charming as a handsome girl win look,
in spite Of a line OF care upon her
forehead and a witch OF anxiety upon
the corner OF her lips, as distributing
coffee, and alternating the task by
cutting observation-disclosures
for her brother HendOn, who was read
ing q sporting paper. and thin-thin for
DR.. Charley, who was gazing in an
distracted manner at a paper before
him. and making notes from time TO
time with a gilt pencil-case.
He was a bIOnd-lOoking. handsome
man. with stir white cravat, and that
suave. sOftly-smiling aspect peculiar
90 fashionable physicians; but the
fashion had gone. though the smile
remained. 10 be shed upon his two
children instead Of upon the patients
who came no more.
The breakfast progressed, with Hen
don eagerly taking in the details Of
the last Australian bOat-race. and the
doctor making a calculation for the
variation of the compound that was
the dream OF his life, till, as II was
finally ended. he bent forward, and
said softly,
Truly thankful, amen,"
Heudou Charley rustIed his paper.
AMI doubled Il up, and thrust Il into
his pocket.
but no fried bacon" he said
bitterly.
DR.. Charley turned his beams upon
his son. and shook his head slowly.
~Indigesuble. Hendon. But never
mind Work as I DO. Get to the top
of the tree, and then you can keep
your carriage. and destroy your liver
with Strasburg pig"
"Ba1." said Hendon; but his
fathers cCuntenance did not change.
Going TO the hospital, my bOy?"
yes. the old dismal round"
But TO allay suffering. A great
urCfession."
Wish Il had less profession and
more solid satisfaction" said the
young man "GO0dby, Rich"
HE hurried out OF the room, and the
next minute the door was heard %
bang.
An ornament to the profession
some Jay. Richmond"
Yes, dear, but"
Wei. my lover" said the doctor,
beamiEg upon her softly.
Don't think me unkind. dear, now
you are so deep in your study; but ]
do really want a little help"
Certainly. my darling, certainly.
Now. that's what I like; frank con-
hdence en- your part. You are the best
OF housekeepeTs. my child: but I don't
want you to take all the burden on
your shoulders"
Richmond Charley sighed. and the
line On her broad handsome forehead
took to itself so many Fuckers, which,
however. did not detract from her
beauty.
Wen. my dear; speak out You
want scmething2"
Yes. father: money"
All" said DR.. Charley softly, as
he tapped the table with the top OF his
worn rencil-case. Money; you want
money"
Eyes father. I am horribly pressed.
Poor HendOn has really not enough TO
pay for his lznCh, and"
YES. nay dear: but HendOn win
soon be in a position to provide com
f0rtab.y for himself" said the doctor
blandly.
The old proveTb about the growing
grass and the starving steei occurred
To Richmond. but she only sighed.
4 don't think you need trouble
yourself about HendOn, ms dear"
But there is the rent, father" said
tent OF their position flashed upon
her; and she felt impelled 10 speak.
'Ah, yes; the rent. had forgotten
the rent" said the doctor dreamily.
Final and threatening notices have
teen left about the rates and taxes"
YES" said the doctor musingly.
'The idea Is UtOpian, but have often
thought how pleasant life would be
were there no rents or rates or taxes"
Dear father, must tell you all my
troubles now / have begun" said
Richmond. leaving her chair to kneeI
down before the handsome elderly
man. and lay her hand upon his breast.
Certainly, my darling. certainly"
he said. bending down TO kiss her
brow I'm the most gentlemaniy man.
ner, and then caress her luxuriant
hair.
They have threatened TO cut OF