New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-05
A Skeleton in the Closet.
BaANpoN CoYIEi ARE YoU MApfn

ures-twin sister and brotherl
She, with her slender, welrounded lissOm form with
her small fine features and clear, deadly-pale yellow
face darkened by great, deep hollow black eyes; the
whole overshadOwed by heavy, clustering auburn curs
"a subtle, wistful face.
He, somewhat taller, fuller and supple, like
other human snake, of little larger growth with
paler complexion, darker eyes and darker hair.
They the orphan niece and nephew Of Christie
pher Coyle esquire old bachelor living his ancient
patrimonal estate Of Cleveland in the North Of Eng
land.
Now they stood glarng at each other full minute in
silent menace. Then both spoke at
" Aspritsin
BrandOnw
Z" How dared You stop metz
/" How dared Bou raise your hand against your
" dare do what please" he answered sulkily
SO do I-except-except to rush from life TO death
from the known TO the unknown!" she retorted sol
emnly.
now Why did you stop me he cried, with groan OF
Because would not have you destroy yourself for
the sake of peevish girl Come, Brandon Rouse your
self do be man she exclaimed.
cannot live without Ariee " he walled.
What mooncalf YOU are, 10 be crying after grill
If you cannot live vhoU her. then why don't you live
Live with herf You know she is 10 be married TO
Vladimir Desparde tomorrow" replied the young
She is to be married omorres; hut this is to-dag;
and there's many slip twixt the cup and prov
erbs are vulgar and you know what mean"
do nOt!"
You must stop the marriage, Brandon J"
GO Stop the marriage q L wish codd Stop the
marriagel' How am TO do that pray yOui"
sofa by me- and will tell you what to do TO break OF
this marriage near as it is and to win the bride for
yourself, much as she Is now devoted 70 her afaneed
lover" whispered the girl.
The suicidal phrenzy him laid for the moment
even though IL might return.
Now attend TO me, Brandon. Before he became your
successful rival in the favor OF Lady Ariee MOnuoie
Vladimir Desparde your most intimate friend was
he not r. inquired Aspirita.
"of course he was,' exclaimed Brandon grinding his
teeth.
You were in his entire conAdencei"
you have often heard him regret deDEore the
fathonabe mystery hangs over his own and his SIS
Oh 10 be sure Haven't told you so often onoughi"
and he rather resents his guardians, Lord Beaude-
vere's, reticence on this suIjeoti"
Yes yes; but what has all this to do with the ques-
tion OF this detestaDle marriagcr exclaimed Brandon
~ has everything to do with Stopping it. But You
must be patient, my lad. Calm yourself, and collect
your thoughts for must put you through
nation and then feel my way"
"NOl Bur you will as 20 on. Tell me, first, exactly
how much Vladimir Desparde really does know OF his
ayes; but 1t is very little He knows only so much
he remembers. He has heard nothing; Lord Beaude-
refuses to speak one word on the subject"
Lord Beaudevere's reserve Is very merciful"
"Lord Beaudevefes reserve very merciful to vadi
mer Desparde and his sister"
"What do you mean, Aspritar
" / will explain presently. But 20 on and tell me all
Vladimir Desparde has told you Of his ear lfe Bran
''Let me think Oh: He remembers living with his
mother aud his little sister in poor lodgings in the
narrow street OF great city, Wn6ee has forgot
ten, even II he ever learned It."
I" VAST IN this country e.
"No, fOr be crossed water to here"
ono, for they were Englisl-speaking people who in
hsbed the city and they had black servants He thinks
IL must have been New-fork or Neworleans, or some
other American city.
"New-orleaus, probably, If they had many blacks.
Ihe name OF the city, and even OF tho country lost
TO him in tile morning mist Of ms dawn Of memory.
Vladimir Desparde whom however he does not remem-
Der 10 have But his mother held up her
head again she used 70 cry over him and his sister and
pray TO the Lord 60 take them out Of tins world and save
'Ah - easpod Aspirita she listened every word
AT length the mother took her to bed from which she
again. One day minister came and sat by
the bed and wrote letter her, which sent
After that she grew weaker Another day gentleman
arrived stranger, who afterwards proved 10 be Lord
well Brandon why don't you 20 on :" eagerly de-
manded the attentive grl, seeing that her brother
am trying to remember what Desparde told me of
THIS s.ranger On ne did not know VINO he was until
BILE house, and provided them with everything they
ers peaceful DEATH while Lord Beaudevere stood with
vivenne IN his and Vladimir by hrs side, promising
live Then followed the funeral and the black dresses
Then long long voyage in saingship, all vaguely
{" Did his sster-did yivienne recollect nothing Of
Nothing Her earliest memories date from their life
at ClOuland whittier their guardian took them their
aud we know all the rest from hearsay-how tho
bachelor, Lord Beandeyere represented these children
10 ms neigh0Os as his little cousins and wards how he
sent Vladimir TO Eon and after ward 70 Oxford where
the young distinguished himself much by deyO
ton 10 study by skill in athletic spors now the guar
dian sent him on his continental tour, and his return
celebrated his majority at ClOudland presenting him
the tenanty ne the helrj BOW the baron procured the
most accomplished ROverness and masters for Yvenne
queen All this know OF these two Individuals, whose
earliest days were passed in squalid tenementhouse
ina ftrpV cir rglld AgU IN lfV
well the fellow Is the herpresumptive Of the title
and estates Of Lord Beaudeyere! II It not So he
might never nave dared to aspire the hand OF the
Lady Arelle MOntjoe. or u he had, his aspirations
would have been treated with contempt"
Tnen he is the heir OF the BarOny Of Beaudevere he
through his father since the name Of Desparde is not TO
be found the Beaudevere geDealOgy," said Aspirita
sentenuOusly.
It is probably through his mother. whoever she was
since Beaudeyere Of those barOnes that, failing
male heirs descend TO the females. But know nothing
" DO you know that he really IS the heir r.
Yes, because 50 set down IN the Peerage Under
the tabular list OF noblemen, with their tit es, family
names, seats. and heirs. you viii ind this entry |
CiOudland. IN shire HeirPresumptive, Vladimir !
father Vladimir Despalde the elder 30 that the
Yes the exact name OF his father"
He knows that, does hep
Eyes lac knows tha,; but that is absolutely all that he
men we will try to enlighten him I" exclaimed Asp
rita with blaze OF mallgny from her Dig black eyes
starting. . ,,, |
% Yes do. know that Lord BeRudevere Is meTcfu
In leaving Vladimir Desparde In his ignorance, and that
be would have been much more merciful To have left
Sim In obscurlty" said Aspirata, sOlemnly.
Sister! !" WHAT do you mean WHAT discovery |
have you made :" exclaimed Brandon, In great excite
menL ,-,,,,-,,
uarde And when you shall have done So should ne be
fhe man of honor believe him, he will release Lady
Aree from engagement 20 him, and VIII fly TO the
neTlnost parts the earth rather than wed with her"
s.What is this discovery : Explain yonrselfP ex- |
claim Brandon COye starting up aud standing before
her. -,-. - -. 90, . |
folded Newspaper yellow and faded with age, and 80