The Halifax Comet. — 1893-06-10 (Halifax, West Yorkshire, England)

THE COMET.  me that this private entranoe, for a long time ImA, was never used, and had therefore been forgotten. The widow made me observe that the bolt of the garden-door was still fastened on the inside, but, on examination, I found that it was very easily moved backwards and forwards, which did not correspond well with the servant's assertion of its being never used. I Observed, too, a small, perhaps accidental, rent in the wood, by means of which it might be very possible to draw the bolt from the outside, but I made no remark on this to the by-standers. "One consequence of this accidental discovery is that the imputation of suede, which had been so prevalent in town, begins gradually to be withdrawn, while the superstitious insist that the dead man had moved in his coffin, and by this means directly led to the discovery of most important proofs. I am not sorry that this conclusion has been deduced, for everyone who knew the deceased must be perfectly aware that he who enjoyed so much the luxuries of this world, and who had it in his power to gratify every wish, must be among the last persons in the world to think of committing self-murder." I was precisely of the judge's opinion, though on very different grounds; and had begun to console myself with the reflection that time, which clears up all such mysteries, would here also exert Its usual influence, when a second letter arrived from the same hand. This dispatch informed me that, among the papers of the deceased, there had been found a will made several years ago (and dated from the time at which I held my situation as clergyman at D—) wherein he had especially named me as an executor. There was, besides, merely a codicil, added after his second marriage, making provision for his wife. The president begged that I would reflect on the duties involved in this nomination, and that I should, if possible, obtain some weeks leave of absence, as my presence at D— was in many respects important and desirable. He added that the widow had fallen into a state of mind by which all her friends were exceedingly perplexed and alarmed. Her grief was increased by scandalous reports as to the terms on which she had lived with her late husband, by means of which the rumour of his having committed suicide once more began to gain ground, especially among the higher classes of society. People now insisted that the deceased, after his second marriage, had been incited to vehement paroxysms of jealousy, which seemed not without reason, on account of the frequent visits of the Crown Prince Gustave Benno at his house; consequently, he had many violent altercations with his wife, which had produced bitterness and rancour on both sides. Now this prince was by no means young or amiable; in his person, moreover, he was somewhat deformed, so that one could not suppose him likely to gain the affections of a young and handsome woman who in her own domestic sphere had so much reason to be contented. It was, however, a considerable bribe to female vanity, that through the whole of the preceding winter, the prince had, contrary to all established custom, given up his brother's court, and chosen for his abode the summerpalace at D--. This flattery might have induced her to show some indulgence towards his highness, which, perhaps, in the estimation of an irritable husband, had appeared in a light improper and inexcusable.