The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-05
A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET.

window into the pay DclOw. Ana not ono IN
slant too soon to save him from tho crime OF
self-desrnction.
lie whirled around upon her and they stood
facing each other with eyes flaming defiance.
How like. yet unlike. were these fierce beau
tiful creatures-twin sister and brotheri
She. with her slender well-rounded. lissom
form; with her small. fine features and clear.
deadly -pale yellow face. darkened by great.
deep. hollow black eyes the whole over
Swallowed by heavy. clustering auburn curls-
subtle. wistful face.
He, somewhat taller. fuller and moro supple.
like another human snake. of n little larger
growth with paer complexion. darker eyes
and darker hair
They were tho orphan niece and nephew Of
Christopher Coyle. Esquire. old bachelor
living on his ancient patrmonial estate Of Cave
land in the North OF England.
Now they stood garing NJ each other full
minute in silent menace. Then both spoke at
Aspirital'
How dared you stop me2"
How dare you raise your hand against your
y dare do what I please" no answered.
So do I-except-exccpt to rush from life to
death-Irom the known to the unknown she
retorted. solemnly.
There can b. no more perfect perdition than
Isuffer nowi WIZ did you stop me ?" he cried
with groan, OF anguish;
BecAuSe would not nave you destroy your
self for the sake Of peevsh girl. Come. Bran
don. Rouse yoursefl DO be a mani she ex-
cannot live without Ariellel" he walled
What mooncalf you are. to he crying after
ngirll Ifyou cannot live ,rHhou her. then why
don't YOU live Uih her" scornfully demanded
:" Live with herY You know she is to he mar
ricd to Vladimir Dcsparde Tomorrow" replied
-" She is to be married tomorrow: but this is
to-day; and there's many slip 'twiXt the cup
what | mean
- You must stop the marriage. Brandoni'
Stop the marriagep' l wish / could
Stop the marriage How am | to do that.
=" Hush. Brandoni Come and sit down here on
the sofa by me. and will tell you what to do TO
break OF this marriage. near as 1t is. and TO
win the bride for yourself, much as she is
now devoted to her afilanced lover" whispered
The suicidal phrenzy in him was laid for the
moment. even though i might return
Now attend to me. Brandon. Before he be-
came your successful rival in the favor Of Lady
Arielle Montioic. Vladimir Despnrde was your
most Intimate friend. was he not 7" inquired
OF course he was" exclaimed Brandon.
" You were in his entire conldencc?"
4" You have often heard him regret deplore
the unfathomabe mystery that hangs over his
own and his sisters chdhoodY'
Oh, to be sure. Haven't told you 80 often
= And he rather resents his guardians. Lord
Beaudeveres, reticence on this subiect?"
Yes. yes but what has all this to do with the
question of this detestablc marriage" exclaim-
cd Brandon. impatienty.
II has everything to do with stopping II. But
you must be patient my lad. Calm yourself
and collect your thoughts for must put you
through cross-examination, and then feel my
way"
II don't understand YOU"
No But you will as 20 on. Tell me- first.
exactly how much Vladimir Desparde really
does know OF his early history He has told
Yes but il is very little. He knows only so
much Ms he remembers. He has heard nothing.
Lord Beaudevcre. the only person In possess ion
OF the facts. ilrmly refuses TO speak one word on
:" Lord Beaudevercs reserve is very merci-
What do you say?"
Lord Beaudevere's reserve is very merciful
to Vladimir Desparde and his sister"
Twill explain presently. But go on and tell
me all Vladimir Desparde has told vou OF his
:. Let me think OH He remembers living
with his mother and his little sister. in very poor
lodgings. in the marrow street OF great city.
whose name he has forgotten. even II no ever
Was il in this country"
NO, for he crossed water TO come here"
No. for they we're Engsh-speaking people
who inhabited tho city. and they had black ser
wants He thinks It must have been New York
49,, New Orleans. probably. II they had many
blacks. But 90 on"
Tho name Of the city and even Of the coun-
try. is lost TO him in the morning mist Of his
dawn OF memory.
the elder Vladimir Desparde whom. however,
he does not remember ever to have seen. But
used 10 cry over him and his sister. and pray To-
the Lord TO take them out OF this world. and
save Them from fhs EVIL to comeb s,ono,
every word Of this little story.
At length the mother took 70 her bed from
which she never arose again. One day minis
ter came and sat 10y tho bed and wrote letter
Tor her. which was sent away: After that she
rived. q stranger. who afterward proved to be
eagerly demanded the attentive girl. seeing that
her brother paused.
am trying TO remember what Desparde
eold me of this stranger. Oh he did not know
who he was until long aftcrward; Lord Beau-
uevere had ms mother ana her children imme-
diatcy removed to "A more comfortable house.
and provided them with everything they could
want Desparde remembers distinctly his
we're stood. with Nivlenne in his arms and
Vladimir by his side. promising, the diving
live. Then followed the funeral and the black
dresses Then long, long voyage in a sailing
Did his ssister-did Vivlennc recollect moth
Nothing. Her earliest memories dnte from
their life ut Cloudland, whittier their guardian
took them Immediately on their arrival in Eng
And we know all tho rest from hearsav-
how the bachelor, Lord Beaudeyere. repre-
scented these children to his ,neighbors as his
TO Eton. and ,afterward TO Oxford. where the
young man distinguished himself as much by
devotion 10 study MS by skill in athletic sports
how the guardian sent him on his continental
!our and AZ his return celebrated his majority
~ Cloudland, presenting him to the tenantry as
the heir; how the baron procured the most
accomplished Roverncss and masters for
Vivicnne, and took her 10 London and had her
presented 10 the Queen. All this we know Of
these two indvduas. whose earliest days we're
passed in asqualid tenement house in IA foreign
city said Aspirta scornfully.
Well, the fellow ts the heir presumptive OF
the title and estates OF Lord Beaudeyerel II it
were not so, he might mover have dared 10 as
pire TO the hand OF the Lady Arielle Monuoie.
Or II ne had, his aspirations would have been
Then II he is the heir Of the Barony OF
beaudeNere, he must be so through his mother,
ior he cannot be so through his father. since
re name OF Desparde is not 10 be found in the
tiously.
II is probably through his mother. whoever
she was. since Beaudcverc is one Of those bar
onles That falling male heirs, descend to the
female. But know nothing about it, replied
Brandon. testify.
DO you know that he really is the herr"
because % in tIn D.or