The Silent House

y, engendered by his short acquaintance with the unfortunate Berwin, he was most anxious to learn why the man had secluded himself from the world in Geneva Square; who we

ould be able to answer these questions in full; therefore, he

in claimed to be his wife, Denzil had quite expected to meet with an elderly woman. Instead of doing so, however, he beheld a pretty young lady of not more than twenty-five, whose raiment of widow's weeds set off her beauty to the greatest advantage. She was a charming blonde, with golden hair and blue

he affected. Indeed, Lucian considered that such weeds were rather premature, as Mrs. Vrain could not yet be certain that the murdered man was her husband; but she loo

to Mrs. Vrain-for he had the same blue eyes and pink-and-white complexion-Lucian guessed that he was her father, and such, indeed, proved to be the case. Link, o

Mrs. Vrain and her amiable parent hailed from the States. The little lady seemed to pride herself on this, and indicated her republican

on Lucian's face, "I'm right down glad to see you. Mr.

in-Mark Berwin," replie

his real name was Mark Vrain. Well, I guess he won't need no name now, poor man," and the widow touched her br

rful, chirping voice, "so it ain't no use wishing him back, as I can

ucian dryly. "But I beg your pardon,

ctive readily. "We had just beg

how," said Mrs. Vrain. "I was only

k, with gravity. "Let us continue. Are you certain

though my husband called himself after it when he changed his colours. And isn't his first name Mar

our proof?" as

duel with a German student when he was having a high time as one of the boys at Heidelberg. Then he lost

fficient, Mrs. Vrain, but may I as

ear ago, e

corrected the father. "Size it

Lucian suddenly,

in Lydia, the wi

k the house in Geneva Square six months

er, Mr. Denzil. I know

here he went on lea

l together nohow, so he kicked over the tra

ddy, by saying as 'twasn't y

" said Mrs. Vrain vigorously. "I w

n well together?"

y stars! there was no living with him. If he hadn't

Mr. Vrain left you ten months ago

across your paragraph in the papers. Then I surmised from the name and the missing finger and the scarred ch

are about being a gr

I know how to ticket myself," said the candid Lydia; "but se

rwin was your husband," said Denzil, for Mrs. Vrain's

at means I'm Mr

uld sa

led to all

cian dryly, for the light tone of t

her nose. "I saw the will made, and know exactly how I come out. The old man's daug

eg pardon, Vrain-wa

wer with a grown-up daughter when I took him to

k, "provided you can pro

Mrs. Vrain briskly.

led Berwin w

more sharpness than might have been expected fr

ove it, yet the assurance company may not be satisfied with the proof.

saw that Lucian was rather shocked by her flippancy, "that sorry as I am for the old man,

the impression made on the two men by this foolish speech, "how y

Vrain got stuck like a pig; but it wasn't my fault, and I've done my best to show respect by wearing black. But it is no good goi

bout that," said Link coldly; "my business

orted the widow. "I haven't se

ny idea who

not! How

know if he

pt, "why, he hadn't backbone enough for fo

ays thought the world was against him,

ad enemies,"

had a tiff, just like other married couples, and he clears out to lie low in an out-of-the-way shanty in Pimlico. I tell you

olent death," sai

oth Lyddy and I want to lynch the reptile as did

at I knew was civil to him; he had no one who wanted to kill him when

died," explained Link, "I ca

nals said; w

rected Lucian, "but with so

?" sugges

said Denzil slowly. "I should say

cate pink colour had faded to a chalky whit