Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-02-16


watching the half-dozen busy clerlksl
Not seldom he had blessed his staAa
that he was not clerk: at this momelt
he would have changed places gladly
with the very junior, who was copying
letters, and solacing himself meantime
with surreptitious acid drop He had
at least future.
Suddenly the door opened, and the
merchant came forward.
Very sorry, Sgd" he remarked,
THE fact is, I've got three or four men
in my room wrangling over some syn
dictate business, and they may be ever
so long"
ut doesn't matter in the least" ex-
claimed Sydney, much relieved. II
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.
II 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 a faint smile
Nothing is decided. But you needn't
be surprised II you hear I'm gone. l
may have to go all in minute at last.
Remember me at home, will you?
There's sovereign I've been going to
give to little Sydney for the last two
months - do you mind taking it2
Good-by."
He rushed away, feeling he had made
an ass of himself. Butsoon they would
know the reason of his altered de-
meanor, and make allowances for him.
He returned to his chambers. Ellis"
chambers He had inst taken them on
for another year. A month would
probably have been quite long enough
He heaved sigh, and looked me-
chanica.ly in the box for letters. There
was the brown envelope Of telegram.
and his heart beat wildly, dangerous
ly. ominously. He, must really cultivate
calmness
/
| ments Come at once to Sylvia"
The room swan round him, and the
windows waltzed madly for few
seconds Then, instead of dying, as
he expected, he found himself pretty
WELL
What had happened to change every
thing? Was Sylvia's father dead? Had
he relented? Had she met with an &C
cident? The thought of this last pos
sihility had made his heart beat dan
gerously again. In half a minute
quite forgetful of heart disease, he wa.
driving as fast as hanson could take
him towards Mr.. Bnlpett's house in
Hampstead
There, all was commotion; the very
footman who opened the door was il
tears, "Old Bulpett's not dead, then,
was Sydney's immediate deduction.
"Who is dead?' asked Sydney of 1
blubbering maid servant Neither o
them, yet, sir!' replied she. and SC
hardened was Sydney to mortuary re
Elections that her remark seemed quit,
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 yol
injustice, sobbed the old gentleman
SIT was all pride-all internal pride
I'm dying man, and beg you to for
give me-"
"Where is Sylvia? Is she well?" ex
claimed Sydney.
4 Bulpett burst into tears. "She's yer,
ill-very ill-dying, too, we are afraid,
he exclaimed, land that's why wan
you to forgive me. never really dis
liked you. I'd rather have seen he
marry you than any body else. But yo,
were too ndependent,-and | meant tx
have you on your knees before I-bu
there, what does it all matter now?"
snip" gasped Sydney, 'since when
What has happened?"
Mr.. Bulpett drew himself into re
ception room, and then, mastering hi
grief somewhat, poured out his tale.
"She went to see great doctor thi
morning, for what she thought IA mer
nervous ailment, and l allowed mysel
to be examined too as was there NJ
boy, have not yet a year to live!"
And Sylvia?" cried Sydney, impa
tiently.
"Sylvial oh, Sylvia is in the las
stages of consumption, and cannot las;
six months-half lung. You hav
come to house of mourning, indeed!
, 1t was as well that old Bulpett shout
mourn for himself-nobody else would
but Sylvia the bright-the beautiful
Sydney sank upon sofa and bure
: his face in his hands; he was incapabl
of thought, and he felt nothing but
burning desire to see her again---to b
with her if only for moment.
> May lean will she-?" he be
gan, confusedly, but he was interrupt
ed by an imperious peal at the bell. y
"Here he is at last, "cried the agonize
father. II sent for our little local doc
tor-Dr. Eiiot--directly we got HON,
but he was out have been expectin
! him these two hours"
The little local doctor at this me
ment stepped briskly into the room.
Your message was urgent" he sal
, to Mr.. Bulpett, ii am sorry have bee
/, delayed so long, but was called ava
to most extraordinary case. My dis
tinguished confrere DIR. Keith -Je
| ferries was brought home from Harle
street a couple of hours ago, having at
TEMPTED to commit suicide in n sndde
access of mania He has been yer
odd for some time. 1t appears that h
has been sentencing all his patients t,
death for days!"
"Keith-J efferies?" exclaimed Nj
Bulpett, to the doctors boundless aston
ishment, why, that's the very maj
Mad2 Why, that explains everything