The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-10

"Old Bulpetrs not dead. them" was Sgd
ney's immediate deduction.
''Who is dead ?" asked Sydney of a
| blubbering maid servant Neither of
them vet, sir - replied she, and so hardened
was Sydney 10 mortuary reflections that
her remark seemed quite natural. Here
comes poor master"
Sydney's heart Jumped, as it always did
at sight Of his tyrant.
Forgive me, my boy. I've done you
injustice" sobbed the old gentleman. cit
was al! pride-all Internal pride. Pm a
dying man and beg YOU to forgive me-"
Where is Sylvia? Is she well?" ex-
claimed SydHey.
Bulpett burst into tears. Shes verv i'll
very ill-dying, too, we are afraid" he
exclaimed, "aud that's why | want you to
forgive me. L never really disliked you.
I'd rather have seen her marry you than
anybody else. But you we're too independ-
emf, and meant to have you Cd your knees
| before but there, what does it all matter
now"
IMP" gasped Sydney. "Since whenP
! What has happened ?"
| Mr.. Bulpett drew him into reception
| room, and then. mastering his grief some
! what, poured out his tale.
''She went to see great doctor this
morning for what she thought mere ner-
vous aiImeDt, and | allowed myself to be
examined. too as l was there. My boy. L
| have not a year 10 liver
tiently.
sylvia! Oh. Sylvia is in the last stages
| OF consumption and cannot last six
mOnths-half lung. You have come to IA
house of mourning. indeed"
1t was as we'll that old Bulpett should
mourn for himself-nobo body else would.
but Sylvia. the bright. the beautiful
Sydney sank back upon sUfa and buried
his face in his hands; he was incapable of
thought, and he felt nothing but a burning
desire 10 see ner again-tO be with her, if
/ only for a moment.
May I-can will She" he began,
confusedly, but he was interrupted by an
imperious ring at the bell.
"AeIe he is at last" cried the agonized
father. II sent for our little 10 al doctor
DR.. EIiot-diIectly we got home, but he
was out. have been expecting him these
two hours"
The little local doctor at this moment
stepped briskly into the room.
~ our message was urgent" he said to
Mr.. Bulpett; Il am sorry l have been de-
layed so long, but l was called away 10 a
most extraordinary case. NV distin-
guished eontrere, DR.. Keith efftries. was
brought home from Harley street a couple
of hours ago, having attempted TO commit
has been very odd for some time; it APP
pears that he has been sentencing all his
patients to death for days"
Keith JetferiesY exclaimed NJ. Bull
peu TO the DOCTORS DonndleSS astoniSh-
ment. why, that's the very mani Mad?
Why. that explains everything! Doctor,
that fellow has nearly frightened us all
out of our wits. Look al me. doctor; do
: | look man In the last stages of disease ?
shall live to"
} Plague every one yet" subjoned the
little local doctor, who knew him of old,
; as he was led to see Sylvia up stairs, where
she was sitting crying, her pretty head
, buried in her knees, rocking herself to aud
} fro.
! Syaney had taken piece of paper from
D his pocket and was tearing it into minute
pieces. 1t was the prescription which had
} cost him couple of guineas a few hours
before.
d There was brief interval. and then the
f door slowly opened, and Sylvia stole into
the. room, half laughing, half crying. II
/, have come to tell you, darling, that DR..
:: | Eliot says there is nothing whatever the
2 matter with either me-or pa pa" she cried,
n aDd then, starting back: why, Sydney.
a You look ten years older than when / saw
g you this morning. and declare your hair
: has turned gray. And all on my accountl
i My poor darling !'-H. E. Clarke in Black
: and White.