The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-22

am bound by deathbed oath.
Since my little Nellie is in the pro.
fession. too, this may astonish you, but
am speaking i'll accordance with her
poor fathers wish
When married my late husband, he,
like yourself. was Oh tho stage Ours
was not happy union, 1 confess 1t
frankly, yet we loved ench other at the
beginning dearly enough.
Dependent upon precarious profess
sion, wo were forced to tako what offers
wo could get-to accept separate engage
ments, to live apart, ono in the north
when the other was in tho south, one
wandering east when tho other was tray
cling west II wo encountered each other
at railway station occasionally, we
were fortunate. In that way we learned
to do without each other, and. GOODNESS
began.
Before he died we were reconciled,
but wo had both learned from export
encc bitter lesson On tho morning Of
his death he signed mo to approach and
mado me swear to protect my Nellie
from my own unhappinesS 1 swore it
i'll his own words They were that she
should never marry an actor.
You will SEQ that, bound by death
bed oath. have no alternative but re-
fuse my consent to your suit But, with
sincere regards, am always your friend,
MATILDA ST. EvREMoND.
Charles Copthall. Esq, 900 Thrognor-
ton Street, to Miss Ncllio St Eyre
mond, Folly Theater. Strand, July /,
1892:
My DARLING MILL SOC your mis-.
giving had foundation. for this morn
ing's post brought no polite note
from your worthy parent signifying
that sho can never consent to our mar
riage-
Now, my sweetest girl, this seems to
me awfully hard lines The fact that
your poor father was q broker and went
smash is. SO far as can see, no earthly
reason why you should not make me
happy or why should not make you u
good husband Moreover, from whit
you say, your mother appears to have
objected to every offer you have ever
had. can't say am sorry she did so
if she hadn't, you wouldn't be FREQ
but the fact remains that she refuses
yOu w SNNi Oil(, .tlltl tllC lulcIGIlCS Is us
clear us the monday sun-out of Lou
don.
You draw IS week. and you admit
to being 20. Vet she treats you like
child, pockets your salary and allows
you out of it beggarly 10 shillings for
chiifons and bus f;rcs How long will
you permit such rascally state of
things to continue: You say you are
sure she will never give you to me- l
dare say not. She finds you much too
valuable to part with! Be courageous
and defy her! l love you with my whole
heart, and l will not soc your life vast
ed i'll this fashion. If you wear tho 90
companying flowers in tho second act
tonight, shall understand that Mrs
St Evremond is not coming to fetch
You, and | shall be at the stage door
when you leave. Ever your devoted
CHARLIE.
Miss Lydia Copthall, 49a Pembridge
Square, W.. to Miss Augusta Gusher,
The Grove, kensingtol July Is,
1902:
My DEAREST GUSSIE-I am writing
to you i'll despair. 1t will BIO the veriest
line. but should hate for you to learn
the awful intelligence from any one but
me Charley is married. You know
what have always hoped-my brother
aud my bosom friend! But the dream
is over. Indeed he has shown that he
was never worthy of you
He has married Nellie St Evrenlond,
the actress. Mamma is distracted. and
well. you may picture me! He ran
away with her (not mamma, the actress
and now he's actually the effronte1y to
say he is happy.
Do come and have tea tomorrow and
let us mingle our tears Yours, quite
brokenly, LYDIA.
p. S-The character of tho bride
may BIO imagined from the fact that her
own mother cuts her in tho street.
Black and White