National Republican., 1878-08-06


replied Brandon, testify.
DO you know that he really u the heir p
Yes, because IL Is so set down in the Peer
age, Under the tabular list Of noblemen, with
their titles, family names, seats, and heirs, you
will find this entry-Beau evere-Baro +; fam
lily name, Beaue scat Cloudland, In shire
hcir.presumptivc,V Vladimir Dcsparde, ESQ.,"
An Just now you alluded 10 this young
mans father rs Vladimir Despardc the elder.
SO that the son bears the exact name Of his
father ~
"Yo,, the exact name of his father"
"Hc knows that, does her
Yes. he knows that but that is absolutely
all that he does know Of his father"
Then we will try TO enlighten him !" ex-
claimed Aspirita, with q blaze Of malignity
from her big black eyes.
"You DO know something, thenf" cried
Brandon, starting. Tf
"Yes, l do. ] know that Lord Beaudeyore
Is merciful In leaving Vladimir Dcspsrle In
his ignorance, and that he would have been
much more merciful to have left him In OBJ
scurity," said Aspirita, solemnly.
sister! WHAT do you mean! WHAT dis
covery have you made :" exclaimed Brandon,
In great excitement. rs- .
"One that intend you TO reveal to Nalidi-
mir Dcspardc Aud when you shall have done
SO, should he be the man Of honor we believe
him, he will release Lady Arielle from her en-
gagement to him, aud he will fly to the utter
most Parts of the earth rather than wed with
her"
What Is this discovery Explain your
selfr' exclaimed Brandon Coylc, starting up
and standing before her"
Asprita put her hand In her pocket and
drew forth folded newspaper yellow aud
faded with age, and so worn all around Its
Crcascs that II threatened to fall TO pieces on
being opened.
"What 1t that ?" demanded Brandon reach
ing forth hrs hand.
Don't touch II yet. II Is the New Orleans
Courier Of sixteen years ago. Uncle sent me
up with his keys TO open his secretary and
fetch him some documents, which he described
10 me. That was this morning, while the bailif
was here. Well went up to his secretary, Ia
the library, and unlocked the upper drawer,
but had hard work to pull it out. When did
so, by main strength, at last, pulled 1t too
far, and II fell with crash"
For Heavens sake, get on" impatiently
exclaimed Brandon.
"And the jar or something touched or
started the spring OF a secret space at the hack
Of the drawer that 1rw open and let this
paper tumble out. There was nothing else In
the hiding-p place but this paper. Oh you
will call II iate-its falling into my Possession
in this way"
The young man eagerly seized the paper.
lie looked at the lines sue had Indicated
until his gaze dilated into n stare, his checks
EiNN IaiSt anu CLlu AShdSN WIN
horror!
"Oh. this is tcr1ibiel terrible. terrible ~ he
exclaimed, when at last he could speak for
emotion.
If II be so terrible in your eyes, what must
II be iu his?' Whispered Aspirita.
What, indeed! Oh, this is worse than the
worst that could be imagined" y" he muttered.
Hc-Naldimir Dcsparle-ought not to be
permitted to marry Lady Aricle Monuoie,"
whispered Aspirita.
"OGdht not lie must not and shall not
oh, that Lord Bcaudevcrc could have known
this and kept it concealed ~ bitterly exclaimed
Brandon.
lie did 1t in mercy to Vladimir and vivi.
enne.'
Bat what sort Of mercy, or even Justice, has
he shown in his dealings with Lord aud Lady
Altoiarc aud Lady Arielle MonGOcy'
Perhaps he thought this secret would never
come out to iujurc them"
And yet an old paper fortunately comes to
light just IN time to save the young lady from
ruin aud her family frOm dishOnOr. will take
this paper to the Earl Ui Altoisirc this morn.
ing aud lay the case before him"
NO no. DO not So"
"Whv moi: -
Because, il you do, the earl will stop the
marriage for Lady Arielic's sake aud then all
Lady .tricllc's symlathies will be with her
bctrothed lover, ard she will remain faithful
to him, and, perhap even ciUpC with him :"
THAT is true! What, then, would you ad-
vi.e me to do with this paper"
Take 1t to Vladimir Dcsparle! Remind
him Of his uft-cXpressed desire to penetrate
the mystery of his own early life, aud OF his
constant wonder at his guardians reserve on
the subject. Then tell him that you have nc.
ridcmtally discovered the scCret--that YOU feel
ii h' nor bound to reveal il to him. Then
show him the paper"
'OlI, Asp, Asp, what n serpent you are!'
exclaimed Brandon Coyle halt IN admiration,
half in dread.
STAY" she murmured. 81 hope that Val.
dimir does not suspect that you ever aspirod
to the hand Of ArielleY"
NO. He has not tdt matter Of triumph
over me. 1t was while he was Oh his grand
tour that l-Inade II foo Of myself, aud have
not seen her since her rejection of my suit"
Aud she has never told her betrotlied of
your offer, you presume
who IririLey Arcllc boast Of her con.
quest Of one man to another mant l have
heard Of women who do such things but
Aricllc-ncvcr"
$50 much the better. Then your way Is
clear. Go 10 him As his old friend, OH the
strength OF your old mutual affection, aud tell
him, with as much seeming hesitation aud
delicate sympathy us you eau assume, of the
discovery you have just made, and Of the un-
compromising sense of duty that cOnstrains
you to communicate il to him. He will fly
tIt country ! hHOH lc VIII. llul nc VIII COlNb
to bid me good by first know hat too. And
then If do not commence treatment OF con-
ISOLATION and cure, my name is mol Aspirita
Cuyer
"Oh, Asp! Asp! So that Is your game, sitT
That ID my game, rs you call Il, Brand.
You thought ! had yoWr happiness only in
view Pooh, pooh, brother. we are csotists
all. You love the bride elect. like the bride
groom exPcctant. We work together for our
mutual interests. Behold all ,'
but, Aspirita, would VoH marry man who
did not think himself good enough for Lady
Ariollo Montjoie? 4 man in his exceptional
inquired Brandon Coylo, iu
surprise
Yes, | would. am not Lady Ariclle Mont
iOie. am Aspirita CUyle, the orphan depend
ynt on my bachelor uncle, whose estates will
Nil 90 to gOa. Besides, ! love him, added the
bold beauty, without moments hesitation.
"liumph! A mau with Mrh a rcprOach at
tnched to his uamo! You must love him for
him'elf diOHf, them
mo- for myself alone! ] o,ipht be capable Of
killing him to prevent another woman having
him !"
Bravo, Asp! But oh ! the facts forbid that
ever your sting should strike me-"
go now and execute your mission 10 Cloud.
land 1t Is time, unless you would prefer u