The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-02-15
SIBYL SAKTOMYs' EKIL.


One evening Il think that it was the
first night OF the revival of 'Romeo
and Juliet" at the Lyccum) Jack Sar-
torys and his wife occupied q box there,
which, after much difficulty, as lie
averred, Col. Dunkirque, of the
''Heavies," had been fortunate enough
to secure. AS general rule, Col.
Dunkirque was not in the habit Of pre-
senting tirst-mght boxes to his friends
unless he had some object to gain. Peo-
pie suggested that it was ruse on his
part to win Jacks good graces--especi-
ally the smiles Of Juck's wife but then
people might have lied-they frequent
ly do in such matters-and yet for once
they were right.
Dunkirque was a notorious Loveldce,
as handsome man as you would see
anywhere---a man whose appearance
was hailed with inward tribulation and
grooming 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 doings
lately had been very shady-so shady
that his friends Che had many friends
all predicted that lie would speedily
have to bolt from the heimpending clutches
OF those ministering tiends, Mcssrs
Shylock & Go.
Slbyl Sartorys was very handsome
woman-.dungerously handsome. She
had masses Of golden hair, which did
not OWE its sunny tints to some vile
wash, arched red lips, sweet blue eyes,
n soft white neck, and a complexion OF
dazzling 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 lis usual i'm
pulslve, headlong manner but, for my
own part, 1 always thought her trihe
hard and unsympathetic. There was
sometimes look i'll her sweet eyes not
entirely acquiescent when Jack had In
tlmated something of which 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-for u time. She de-
manded absolute slavery hom him. and
accepted his devotion rs Il matter of
course. C!35 friends, ainusements, iii
had to give way to this little autoclat's 8
imperious mandates and poor Jack
was spoiled for us.
Yet ne was very happy. In her sof-
ter moments, prejudiced as was, l
could but admit the charm OF her sweet,
low voice, and the winning eyes which
could have lured babe from Its mo- other' 8
arms. But often imagined that her
thoughtlessness would orc day bring
her to grief. She had such superb
contempt for the conventionalities. You
and |, gentle rYader, know better. We
bow down aud worship Mrs. Grundy,
rs if we liked her but do we? l think
not.
Dunkirque did despise the conven-
tionalitles md decencIes of life--nay
he outraged them persistently. He
had always some confidante to whom he
unbosomed himself OF his troubles with
those freelances, the money lenders.
Dipped as he was, he contrived to get
through as much monty rs Of old. His
horses and dinners were the best in
town--mcn eagerly sought to ride the
one and to eat the other. think Slbyl
Sartorys alone knew now soon there
would be neither-how quickly the
bubble must burst and Dunkirque hide
his diminished head for the rest of his
days in some little tiith-rate continental
town. Aud yet she fancied that she
loved him. Had he been prosperous,
happy, gay, she would not have done
80 but as he was going to the dogs it
seemed to her rs If she bad no alterna-
tive but to accompany him.
Who is it says that women always
wreck themselves with their best i'm
pulses
In person Dunkirque was tall and
wellbuilt, but there was an indetiuable
something in his face which betrayed
that he had not long to live, ALI the
Dunklrques had died of consumption
before their fortieth year, and the colo
mel was thirty.tive With this sword
hanging oyer him, 1t was impossible
not 10 teel sorrS-at least the women
thought so--for his misspent life. Men
were inclined to believe that he made
the most OF the situation, and posed
for that effect. But then men are such
unfeeIing belngp they have none OF
the finer sympatbles of their wives
their mission is to pay bills and be
generally useful.
That evening things seemed to be
approaching climax--a deuced I'm.
pleasant, one too, for poor Jack. Whom
Capulet said to the maskers,
III have seen the day
That have worn vlsOr and could tell
whispering tale In q fair ady's ear,
Such as would Please"
Mrs. Sartorys' eyes met Dunkirque's,
Z dropped in q Lalf-shamefaced but still
tender way. 1t was not a look should
Ike to see on the face Of my wife, when