The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-08
A Skeleton in the Closet.


A Skeleton in the Closet.
BRANDON CoYLEl ARE YOU MADp'
She had stolen up behind him noiseless-
", she had snatched the loaded pistol from
MS desperate hand and hurled it through
he open window into the bay below. And
not one instant too soon to save him from
the crime of self-destruction.
He whirled around upon her, and they
stood facing each other with eyes flaming
defiance.
How like, yet unlike, were these fierce,
beautiful creatures-twin sister and broth
erl
She, with her slender, well-rounded,
lissom form: with her small, fine features
and clear, deadly pale yellow face, darken-
ed by great, deep, hollow black eyes; the
whole over-shadowed by heavy, clustering
auburn curls--a subtle, wistful face.
He somewhat taller, fuller, and more
supple, like another human snake, of
little larger growth, with paler complex
ion, darker eyes and darker hair.
They were the orphan niece and nephew
of Christopher Coyle, Esquire, an old
bachelor living on his ancient patrimonial
estate of Cleveland in the North OF England.
Now they stood glaring at each other a
full minute in silent menance. Then both
spoke at once:
"Aspirita!"
"Brandon!"
"How dared you stop me?"
How dared you raise your hand against
your own life?'
II dare do what | please" he answer
ed, sulkily:
$50 do -except-except to rush from
life to death-from the known to the IN
knownl' she retorted, solemnly.
There can be no more perfect perdition
than suffer now! Why did you stop me ?"
he cried, with groad of anguish.
Because / would not have you destroy
Yourself for the sake of peevish grill DO
be mani" she exclaimed.
II cannot live without Arieller' he
walled
What mooncalt your are to be crying
after girl! IF you cannot live
soithout her, then why don't you live 1oith
her2" scornfuly demanded the girl.
Live with her?" You know she is tc
be married to Vladimir Desparde to.mor.
row, replied the young man.
"She is to be married Tomorrow; but
this is to-day; and there's many sliI
'twixt the cup and'-but proverbs are
vulgar, and you know what l mean"
IL do notP'
"You must stop the marriage, Bran
donl,'
Stop the marriage? l wish l could
Stop the marriagep How am to dc
that, pray you2"
| ga
here on the sofa by me, and will tell yor
what to do to break off this marriage
near as it is, aud to win the bride fol
yourself, much as she is DOW devoted tC
her affianced lover" whispered the girl.
The suicidal phrenzy in him was laid fol-
the moment, even though it might return.
Now attend to me, Brandon. Before he
became your successful rival in the favor o.
Lady ArielIe Mondoie. Vladimir Despardt
was your most intimate friend, was hi
not2" inquired Aspirita.
''Of course he was, exclaimed Brandon
grinding his teeth.
You were in his entire confdence?"
"Yes"
| You have often heard him regret, dep
lore the unfathomable mystery that hang
over his own and his sister childhood p
Oh, to be sure. Haven't l told you s,
often enough?"
And he rather resents his guardian =
Lord Beaudevere's, reticence on this sub
Iject?n
Yes, yes; but what has all this to d.
with the question of this detestable mar
riage2" exclaimed Brandon, impatiently
1t has everything to do with stopping it
But you must be patient, my lad. Cain
yourself, and collect your thoughts; for
must put you through, a cross-examina
ton, and then feel my way"
g don't understand you"
mop But you will as / go on, Tel
me, first, exactly how much VaIdimi
Despsrde really does know of his early his
tory2 He has told yoW, | suppose?
Yes; but il is very little. He know
only so much as he remembers. He ha
heard nothing. Lord Beandevere, tn
only person ia possession OF the facts
firmly refuses to speak one word Oh tn
subject"
4 Lord Beaudevere's reserve is very mer
ciful"
What do you say ?"
Lord Berudevare's reserve is very mel
full to Vladimir Desparde and his sister.
What do you mean. Aspirita?"
L will explain presently, But go on an
tell me all Vladimir Desparde has told no
of his early life Brandon"
Let me think. Oh! He remember
living with his mother and his little sister
in very poor lodgings, in the narrow stree
of great city, whose name BIS has forgot
ten, even if he ever learned it,"
, Was it in this country"
mo, for he crossed water to come here.
In France, them"
mo, for they were English. speakin
people who inhabited the city, and the
had black servants He thinks il mus
I have been New York or New Orleans, q
some other American city,"
New Orleans, probably If they had man
: blacks. But go on"
l THE name of the city, and even of th
D country, is lost to him in the morning mic
OF his dawn OF memory.
There was something concerning b
) father, the elder Vladimir Desparde, whom
: however, he does notremember ever to hay
!. seen. But bis mother never held up hs
head gain. She used to cry over hi
and his sister, and pray to the Lord to tai
: them out of this world, and save the
& from the evil to come"