Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-07-18

''Very sorry, Syd,'' he remarked
''The fact is I've got three or four mer
in my room wrangling over some syndi
cate business, and they may be ever sc
long"
''It doesn't matter in the least ex'
claimed Sydney, much relieved. 81 had
really nothing to say only called as
was going by to ask how you were'
The merchant stared. He was not
used to these little attentions.
81 may be going for a journey-a
longish journey-before long. l don't
know yet, " remarked Sydney.
''Rather sudden. eh?' replied his
brother. ''Where are you going?'
''That's just what isn't settled yet, -
observed Sydney, with faint smile
Nothing is decided But you needn I
be surprised if you hear-I'm gone ]
may have to go all in minute at last
Remember me at home, will youi
There's sovereign I've been going to
give to little Sydney for the last two
months Do you mind taking it? Good
by.'
He rushed away, feeling he had made
an ass Of himself. But soon they would
know the reason of his altered demeanor
and make allowances for him. He re-
turned to his chambers. "His" cham
bers! He had just taken them for an
other year. A month would probably
have been quite long enough.
He heaved sigh and looked mechan-
ically in the box for letters. There was
the brown envelope of telegram, and
his heart beat wildly, dangerously, ON
inously. He must really cultivate calm
ness.
Everything changed. Cancel all ar
rangements. Come at once to Sylvia. "
The room swan round him, and the
windows waltzed madly for few Sec
onds Then, instead Of dying, as he ex-
pected, he found himself pretty well.
What had happened to change every
thing? Was Sylvia's father dead? Had
she met with an accident? The thought
of this last possibility had made his
heart beat dangerously again. In half a
minute, quite forgetful Of heart disease,
he was driving as fast as a hanson
could take him toward Mr.. Bulpett's s
house in Hampstead.
There all was colnmotion; the very
footman who opened the door was in
tears ''Old Bulpett's not dead, then, :"
was Sydney's immediate deduction.
"Who is dead?" asked Sydney of a
blubbering maidservant.
sfNoiFbo1, Oe tho,,, :; ,.o,,ifoG
she, and SO hardened was Sydney to
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
'fForgive me, my boy; I've done you
injustice, sobbed the old gentleman.
''It was all pride-all internal pride.
I'm dying man, and beg you to for
give Inc. "
where is Sylvia? Is she well?" ex-
claimed Sydney.
Bulpett burst into tears. "She's very
i'll, very ill-dying, too, we are afraid, "
he exclaimed, "and that's why I want
you to forgive me. I never really dis
liked you. I'd rather have seen her
marry you than anybody else. But you
were too independent, and l meant to
have you on your knees before but
there what does it all matter now?"
CLIP" gasped Sydney. 'Since when?
What has happened?'
Mr.. Bulpett drew him into the re-
ception room, and then, mastering his
grief somewhat. poured out his tale.
"She went to see great doctor this
morning for what she thought a mere
nervous ailment, and 1 allowed myself
to be examined, too, as 1 was there.
My boy, have not year to ivep'
"And Sylvia?'' cried Sydney impa-
tiently.
"Sylvia! Oh, Sylvia is in the last
stages of consumption and cannot last
six months-half a lung. You have
come to a house of mourning indeed"
1t was as well that old Bulpett
should mourn for himself-nobody else
would but Sylvia, the bright, the beau
tiful--
Sydney sank back upon sofa and
buried his face III his hands He was
incapable of thought, and he felt moth
ing but a burning desire to see her again
Ito be with her, if only for moment.
''May I-can Twill she''- he be-
gan confusedly, but he was interrupted
by an imperious peal Of the bell.
''Here he is at last" cried the agon-
lied father 'I sent for our little doctor
DIR. Eliot--directly we got home, but
he was out. L have been expecting him
these two hours"
"Your message was urgent, he said
to Mr.. Bulpett. Il am sorry have been
delayed so long, but I was called away
to a most extraordinary case. My distin-
guished confrere, Dr.. Keith-J -Jetferies,
was brought home from Harley street q
couple of hours ago, having attempted
to commit suicide in sudden access
of mania He has been very odd for
some time 1t appears that he has been
sentencing his patients to death for
days"
''Keith- -JeiferiezT exclaimed 1Ir. Bull
petit to the Doctors boundless astonish-
ment. "Why, that's the very mani
Mad? Why, that explains everythingl
Doctor, that fellow has nearly fright
ened us all out of our wits. Look at
me, doctor. Do look like a man i'll the
last stages of disease? I shall live to-
''Plague every one yet subjoined
the little 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 her
self to and fro
Sydney had taken piece of paper
from his pocket and was tearing it into
minute pieces. Tt was the prescription
which has cost him couple of guineas
o few hours before.
There was d brief interval, and then
the door slowly opened, and Sylvia stole
into the room, half laughing, half cry
ing. 81 have come to tell you, darling,
that Dr. Eliot says there is nothing
whatever the matter with either NC
or papa, she cried, and then, starting
back: "Why, Sydney, you look 10 years
older than when 1 saw you this morn
ing, and, declare, your hair has turned
gray. And all Oh my account My poor
I'-H. E. Clark in Black and
White