The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-08-07
A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET.

She had stolen up behind him noiselessly,
she had snatched the loaded pistol from his
desperate hand and hurled 1t through the
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 de-
fance.
How like, yet unlike, were these fierce,
beautiful creatures-twin sister and brother!
She. with her slender. well rounded, lissom
form. with her small, hne features and clear
deadly pale yellow face. darkened 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 a paler complexion,
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
Caveland in the north of England.
Now they stood glaring at each other full
minute in silent menace. Then both spoke
at once:
"Aspirital"
"Brandon!"
'How dared you stop me?"
"How dared you raise your hand against
your own llfe?'
Il dare do what please" he answered,
suIkily.
so do I-except-except to rush from life
to death-from the known to the unknown"
she retorted, solemnly.
There can be no more perfect perdition
than suffer nowl Why did you stop me?'
he cried with a groan of anguish.
Because 1 would not have you destroy
yourself for the sake of peevish girl.
Come, Brandon. Rouse YOURSELF Do be q
man" she exclaimed.
81 can not live without ArelleI' he
walled.
after girl If you can not live without her,
then why don't you live with herT' scorn-
fully demanded the girl
"'Live with her? You know she is to be
married to Vladimir Desparde tomorrow" ("
replied the young man.
''She is to be married tomorrow; but this
is to-day; and there's many a slip 'twixt the
cup and'-but proverbs are vulgar, and you
know what mean"
II do notr'
"You must stop the marriage, Brandoni''
"'Stop the marriageP l wish / could
Stop the marriage? How am l to do that,
pray your"
"Hush, Brandonl Come and sit down
here on the sofa by me, and will tell you
what to do to break off this marriage, near
as it is, and to win the bride for yourself,
much as she is now devoted to her affianced
lover" whispered the girl.
The suicidal phreBzy in MIN was laid for
the moment, even though it might return.
Now attend to me, Brandon. Before he
became your successful rival in the favor of
Lady Arielle Montjoie, Vladimir Desparde
was your most intimate friend, was he not?'
inquired Aspirita-
'Of course he was" exclaimed Brandon,
grinding his teeth.
You were in his entire confidencer'
eyes"
"You have often heard him regret, deplore
the unfathomable mystery that hangs over
his own and his sisters childhood?'
sob, to be sure. Haven't l told you so
often enough3'
And he rather resents his GUARDIANS,
Lord Beaudevere's, reucence on this sub
ject?'
Eyes. yes; but what has all this to do with
the question of this detestable marriage?"
exclaimed Brandon, impatiently.
''It 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 a cross-examinatlon,
and then feel my way"
81 don't understand you."
mo? But you will as / go. Tell me,
first exactly how much Vladimir Desparde
really does know of his early history. He
has told you, supposeT
sfYes; but 1t is very little. He knows only
, 30 much as he remembers. He has heard
nothing. Lord Beaudevere, the only per-
son In possession Oh tne Iacts, nrmly
refuses to speak one word on the subject"
Lord Beaudevere's reserve is very merci-
full"
what do you say?'
ssLord Beaudevere's reserve is very merci-
full to Vladimir Desparde and his sister"
s'What do you mean, Aspiritar'
81 will explain presently. But go on and
tell me all Vladimir Desparde has told you
of his early life, Brandon"
fsLet me think. OH He remembers liY-
ing with his mother and his little sister, in
very poor lodgings. in the narrow street CT a
great city, whose name be has forgotten,
even if he ever learned it"
'sWas it In this country2"
mo, for he crossed water to come here"
'sIn France. thenf
mo. for they were English speaking peo-
pie who inhabited the city, and they had
black servants. He thinks 1t must have