The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-12
The Skeleton in His Closet
BY STACY e. BAKER.

BY STACY E. BAKER.
Copyright. 1910, by Associated Literary Pressl
Ethel Murray eoua result ee ony IN one thing missvs
promptly penned to the progate Emery LAWS h
released from the engagement
II know of the skeleton in your closet wrote
streaming eyes ordinarily sunshny and blue aa
the sky Of June morning.. Il am surprised at you!
could have forgiven you--but now that and
the truth through other people l return herewith
The rest of the was a rambling plant
two must be considered past history plain.
For more than a year the daughter Of Burgess Muir.
ray the biggest man politically In the community. and
Emery Jarvis, clerk drug had been
making plans for future that would embrace them
both. Jarvis ambtou4 young fellow, we'll lik-
ed by every one, and seemingly having the best OF
Ethel had believed him thoroughly until the
gossipping tongue of old Mrs PoIlet had disclosed
her aance. Therefore return soli-
tare that she had SO proudly and the letter to
her betrothsd asking for her release
Jarvis read the lines in the seclusion Of the little
prescription room in the of the drug shop and
his dark clouded he vainly strove solve the
calse OF the maiden's anger.
he ruminated. Il wonder how she found Ii out
way7"
That evening Jarvis called up the girl She was not
ome. During the ensuing week he made several
other 1e fru atss attempts ate to see her
significant proportions.
My dear Ethel" Jarvis 81 called
eral times. you know, and have not been at
home. Patience has ceased to be the proverbia vir-
tue and shall not try to see you again am done
release you from the engagement, you ask /
also acknowledge the skeleton in my closet. but why
normal-mnded maid should take this amiss IL be-
yond me. If anything, my dear, am rather proud
of it."
Ethel positively stormsd read this
munication She ciinched her fists until the nails bit
cruelty into the tender flesh and angrily tossed her
little blonde head.
Il shall never. never have anything to do with
men," she complained bitterly The very hrazen-
minded girl shouldn't take such things amiss- I'm
sure no girl with common sense would allow her nance
4 a ma m lad
it's all over" To prove this Ethel burst into
sulsve sobs and hid flushed and tear wet face in
Weeks passed. but the two erstwhile seemed
helplessly estranged Ethel made attempt salve
the wound caused by letter nor Jarvis try to
explain away the misunderstanding.
were many-grew accustomed the order of
things and everybody ceased nteres. themselves
1t a month that old Polt Che was a
portly butcher owning the meat shop the drug
emporium) ventured to incorporate something In
remark that caught tho youths pushed interest.
really a.cock. Just repeat tina. last sentence"
i said. came from the butcher. "tnat that there
reminds mo Of your doings" He poked a pudsy fors-
finger ge pay ~ into the ribs Of the youth
clerk. i can't understand. What driving
Cant understand. eh ?" commented the other sour
~. He was angry at the tone OF the lad Well
tried to play double just like that Hyde teller
did Every evening after you called on the gri you
old Doe Blyly his daughter. My wife she
you do 1t time and again. she did
The dull red stained the face OF the angry butcher
/ Shes the one that put crimp In you. too. Ethel
Murray Ia to fine girl to be galavantng around
young fellow that she thinks heap OF her, and
the while he don't but is making her a fool by
sneaking away from her house to call another
girl"
so it your wife that caused this trouble be-
tween Ethel and me, it, Pity she can't learn
to attend affairs, isn't t?"
/ The butcher. his mind relieved, stamped heavily
out of the drug store, but he left knowing youth
behind him. Mrs Pollit gossip monger or
some notoriety in the community. She resided JUST
opposite the Byiy home, and that the irate meat
man had given him his Jarvis could understand
many things
! That evening his heavy jaws firmly and his
broad shoulders thrown defantiy back, drug
clerk mounted the the Murray home ana
rang the bell.
/ Ethel answered the summons An angry flush dot
ted her cheeks when she who her visitor was, bur
Emory ignored these trouble signs, pushed by her
and into the familiar parlor.
/ II am here to explain" began Jarvis Mrs Pol
Its loquacious husband has just told things and
think understand"
II Il don't for explanation" interrupted little
Miss Murray formally
Nevertheless persisted Jarvis patiently. you are
about TO receive them. Listen dear. / have never
called on Mile Blyy in my fe-let alone after
left here. When referred to the skeleton in my
closet, took the phrase literally. There a skele-
ton In my closet--a sx-foot skeleton OF a that
DIR. Blyy loaned aid me In my studies, because
4 we'll. I'm studying medicine with him. you see. I
don't want to be drug clerk all my life. T.
But here his late finance, face a-smie INTERRUPTED
his sentence in very pleasing way.