The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-19
SENTENCE OF DEATH.


your name In the most innocent way. He ac-
tually wanted me to promise never to see you
again When refused. his rage was simply
awful. 1 am sure he is going mad. have not
peen allowed 10 leave my bedroom oil day.
Isn't 1t too absurd? But cannot endure this
tyranny any longer. have quito made up my
mind to leave him. 1 shall go and live with
Aunt Mary, who has often promised me q
nome. l must see you first, however, and
this Ia my plan. All the fearful strain and
worry about you with father has made me SO
irritable and uncertain tempered lately that
he Is sure there is something wrong with me,
and am to go tomorrow morning at IL O'Clock
to see Dr. keith-J efferies, the great nerve doc
tor. Father says he shall drive mo there him
self and call for again In about nm hour.
This Is to make sure that hold no communi-
cation with you. Did you over hear anything
30 childish2 1t serves him right to hoist him
with his own petard, so you must DO in tho
doctors waiting room at little before IL, and
then wo cnn have three quarters of an hours
quiet conversation. My maid, who is very
good girl and who is 90 accompany ME to my
Aunt Mary's, is to post this. Yours ever,
SYLVIA BULPETT.
p. S.-Keith-Jefferles address Is No = Kar-
ley street. Don't be late.
This was Sydney 9 first glimpse Of the
tragedy of life in tho shape Of parental
barbarism. 1t overcame him for mo-
mcnt. "My poor Sylvia" no muir
INJURED. Then he pulled out his watch.
Nine twenty seven. Ho swallowed
cup of scalding Coffee without milk and
sugar, and looked at his watch again.
Nine twenty eight. "The old brutep'
he muttered, walking up and down tho
room. 81 always said it would como to
this should like to- Out camo tho
watch once more. Nine twenty -nino.
He seized his hat and rushed from tho
room.
The hat was Il concession to custom,
but tho morning was warm. 1t was
much too soon to go to her, so no ran
three times to and from the park to
quiet his nerves. Then he slackencd his
pace and fell to reviewing the position
more calmly.
after all, it's perhaps the best thing
that could happen, " was his conclusion.
"Aunt Mary is not friendly with the
old wretch. Aunt Mary will help me.
Wo will be married from Aunt Mary's.
/ suppose 1 shall have to arrange the
running away, and it will be good fun,
for old Bulpett would show fight If we
came across him. He would crafty his
bloodthirsty instincts and shoot me like
a dog. What should do? 1 could not
strike her father.
In various ways and succeeded i'll Great
ing for himself a very fine role indeed in
which he should be tho maiden savior
from brutal parents rage and at tho
same time spare the old mans gray
hairs. AT 1920 he fastened to the great
Doctors and rang the bell. A man serv-
ant, presenting the usual combination
of butler and undertaken. opened the
door.
Have you an appointment, sir?"
"No, I must take my chance
81 am afraid you will have to wait
some time, sir. There arc already
good many here. "
ut doesn't matter. 1 am in no
hurry" replied Sydney incohorcntly
He was shown into tho waiting room,
where a dozen or so follow creatures
were collected. Most of them were
young ladies, for DR.. Keith .Jefferies was
favorite with the sex. and they all had
that air of drcary solf absorption pecul-
lar to the self conferred invalid. They
turned cold, listless chances upon the
newcomer and then resumed their reflec-
lions upon their own real or fancied all
ments, masked by an unread Punch or
Nineteenth Century held before their
faces.
"Oh, it is so annoying" said one
vlvacious lady, obviously a malado i'm
aginaire, land it always happens. 1 for
get all the most serious symptoms the
moment get into the DOCTORS consult
ing room. This time I have written
them all out on sheet of paper. Dear.
DEAR Which pocket did l. Oh, how
very unfortunate! have left it on my
dressing table. 1 thought must SEQ it
there. How extremely irritating"
The door opened, and the undertaken
crooked ghostly finger i'll her direction.
6he arose and rustlod out giddily muir
muring that it was really too provok-
Ing. And the others smiled bitterly a
smile which plainly said, "There's
nothing the matter with that old goose.
but she will keep DR.. Jefferies terrible
time.''
But in less than five minutes she ro.
appeared, pale and fearful, with one
hand pressed against her side, bleating
to her astonished friend: ooh, take me
away, dear, take me away Oh, it is
dreadful, though have always suspect
ed it from the firstr' A deeper gloom
settled upon the remaining patients, and
Sydney could not repress glow of sat
isfaction as he reflected upon his own
excellent health
Presently Sylvia glided In, looking
the picture of health and spirits She
was very young, almost too young to
be q martyr to tho sorrows she described
to Sydney as they took possession of a
remote window embrasurc She told