Morris tribune., 1882-10-05
SIBYL SARTORYS'S PERIL.
The Pits That Line the Pathway Of
Lift, in London Town

One evening Il think that it was the
first night of the revival of ''Romeo and
Juliet" at the Lyceum) Jack Sartorys
and his wife occupied box there which,
after much difficulty, as he averred, Col
onelaDunkirque, of the "Heavies," had
general rule, Colonel Dunkiraue was not
in the habit of presenting irst-night
boxes to his friends unless he had some
object to gain. People suggested that it
was ruse on his part to win Jacks good
graces-especially the smiles of Jacks
wife; but then people might have lied
they frequently do in such matters-and
yet for once they were right.
DunklrQue was 4 notorious Lovetace,
as handsome man as you would see
anywhere-a man whose appearance was
hailed with inward tribulation and groan
my by poor devils who had not the pluck
to kick him out of their houses, when
his attentions grew too pronounced. 1t
was rumored, too, that his doiugs lately
had been very shady-so shady that his
friends the had many friends) all pre-
dicted that he would speedily have to
bolt from the impending clutches of
those ministering fends, Messrs. Shy
lock & Co.
Slbvl Sartorys was very handsome
woman-dangerously handsome. She
had masses of golden hair, which did
not owe its sunny tints to some vile wash,
arched red lips, sweet blue eyes, soft
white neck, and complexion of dazzl-
ing fairness. In addition to these
charms, she possessed knack of pleas
ing people when she chose to take the
trouble, and was also very popular in
her own immediate circle. Jack had
fallen in love with her in his usual head
long, impulsive manner; but. for nv
own part, l always thought her tritle
hard and unsympathetic. There was
sometimes Il look in her sweet ewes not
entirely acQuiescent when Jack had in
timated something of when she disap-
proved. Having said what he wanted,
Jack generally let her have her own
way, and so the impending storm al
ways blew Over-tor a time. She de-
manded absolute slavery from him, and
accepted his devotion as a matter of
course. Club friends, amusements. all
had to give way to this little autocrat's
imperious mandates; and poor Jack was
spoiled for us.
Yet he was very happy. In her soft
er moments, prejudi ed as | was, 1
could but admit the charm of her sweet,
low voice, and the winning eyes which
could have lured babe from its moth
ers arms. But often imagined that
her thoughtlessness would one dav bring
her to grief. She had such superb
g. Sl,N II. -.
You and I, gentle rea Ter, know better.
We bow down and worship Mrs. Grun-
dy as if we liked her; but do We? /
think not.
Dunkirque did despise the conven-
tiOnalities and decencies Of life-nay. he
outraged them persistently. He had al
bosomed himself of his troubles with
those free-lances, the monev-lenders.
Dipped as he was, he contrived to get
through as much money as of old His
horses and dinners We're the best in
town-men eagerly sought to ride the
one and to eat the other. | think Svbil
Sartorys alone knew how soon there
would be neither-how quickly the bub-
BILE must burst, and Dunkirque hide his
diminished head for the of
his days in some little
fifth rate continental town. And yet
she fanCied that she loved him. Had he
been prosperous, happy, gay, she would
not have done so; but as he was going to
the dogs it seemed to her as if she had
no alternative but to accompany him.
Who is 1t says that women always
wreck themselves with their best i'm
pulses?
In person Dunkirque was tall and we'll
hnJIt Int thnrp md of h1n
thing in his face which betrayed that he
had not long to live. All the Dunkir-
ques died of consumption before their
fortieth year, and the colonel was thirty
five. With this sword hanging over him,
it was impossible not to feel sorrv-at
least the women thought so-for his mis-
spent life. Men were inclined to be-
lieve that he made the most of the sit
uation, and posed for that effect. But
then men are such unfeeling beings;
they have none of the finer sympathies
of their wives-their mission is to pay
bills and be generally useful.
That evening things seemed to be ap-
preaching Climax deuced unpleasant
one, too, for poor Jack. When Capulet
SAID to the maskers,
'I have seen the day
That have worn visor, and could tel
Such as would please"
Mrs. Sartorys's eyes met Dunkiroue's
and dropped In a half-shamefaced bu
still tender way. 1t was not look
should have liked to see on the face O
my wife when talking with another man
though, having provided Jack with hi.
first pony, and piloted him across coun
try at the early age ofseve1I, am looked
upon as an old fogy who is not entitled
to express any direct opinion. Perhaps
my ideas are rather old-fashioned-
wholesomely so.
Jack did not notice what was going on
He loved his wife too dearly even tc
dream of such infamy. It was delight
full experience to him to listen to the
balcony scene, and to follow the naples
fortunes of the star-crossed lovers, al
though he could not help wishing tina
the Romeo would be little less in
tellectual and trife more impressive
with the lovely. Juliet. Practically, hi
wife and Dunkirque were alone-Jacl
told me all this long afterward withou
attaching any importance to it, and
I linked the fragments together
Half an hour later 1 stepped in. Jack
whispered to me not to speak, and
was greeted by Mrs. Sartorys with the
usual polite Indifference a wife.reseryes
for her husbands friends. In short, i
was not ten minutes before had seer
enough of the situation, and concluded
to step outside for a lounge in the CORR
dor. The glamour of the scene had failet
to touch my jaded senses. l could no
help seeing a grimy stage-carpenter VI
in the flies, and this naturally did away
with all illusion. What an awful bore
the man had dropped his old wide
awake upon the passionate lovers.
The door opened Il was leaning agains
the next box); out came Mrs. Sartory
and Dunkirque, she shivering lin ths
hot atmosphere-and trife pale. HeI