Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1891 — Dr.Elfcnstein's Mission [ARTICLE]

Dr.Elfcnstein's Mission

fi Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

CHAPTER XV.-Continued. Not a word was spoken by either, although, to her dismay, Ethel found that he kept perseveringly by her side As they emerged from the woods, Robert grasped her arm firmly with one hand, while with the other he produced from his pocket a pistol, which he instantly pointed at her. “Now, Miss Nevergail, ” he said, “you stand still and hear what I have to say, or take the consequences. ” Then, seeing that she turned deadly paR, he added, quickly: “I do not intend to harm you, if you keep perfectly quiet, but I do intend to show you that I am master of the situation at this time. You need not look round for assistance, for I assure you no soul comes this way at this hour.” “Robert Glendenning,” at la"St issued from the girl’s pale lips, “put up that pistol instantly, and allow me to pursue my way unmolested. Sir Reginald requires my presence immediately. ” “So do I, and, what is more, I intend to have it, so he must wait. Do you see that horse and phaeton behind those trees? They are there expressly to take you riding. I ask you, therefore, politely, will you favor me with your company?” “No, sir.” “Yes, sir, you mean. If you do not mean it, it makes no difference, as ride with me you will. Go forward now at once to that conveyance, and let me assist you in. I. assure you I will bring you back -to the Hall in good season. Go on; I am determined you shall obey me!” These words he enforced by planting the cold mouth of the weapon against her forehead. Now this pistol, though it looked formidable, was not loaded, and he knew It, but for the sake of carrying his point he intended to fully frighten her into complying with his strange wish But Ethel was a brave girl, and though pale, she never even shuddered. Fixing her eyes fearlessly on his, she xaid in a firm, stern voice: “If you think it manly or wise to shoot, shoot away! But I will not stir one step toward that phaeton.” Thrusting the pistol quickly in his pocket, the young man sprang toward her so suddenly that she could not defend herself, and clasping her slight form tightly in his strong arms, he lifted her at once to the waiting conveyance, placed her in it, then leaping to her side, seized the reins and drove rapidly off, while the poor girl was in almost a fainting condition from displeasure and fright. After a few moments of intense stillness, broken only by the clatter of the horse’s hoofs, as he bounded on, Robert turned to her with laughing triumph in his eyes, and exultingly exclaimed: “You see, my charming young friend, that when I say I will do a thing I intend to do it. Now I decided this afternoon to have you for a companion on a little drive, and here you are, seated cozily by my side, while we are dashing away in grand style. Confess now, is not this just splendid?” “It is not. Sir, I think your conduct nngentlemanly and cruel in the extreme!” “Not at all! I assure you, I regard you as the cruel one, when you declined to favor me with your company. Why you treat me so strangely is an enigma. You ought to feel honored to be allowed to ride with so well-known, wealthy and kind-hearted a man.” “It is no honor, sir, but a deep insult, to be thus forced to do what is disagreeable.” “I suppose it would be very disagreeable also to have me kiss you.” “Sir!” was the indignant exclamation that fell upon his ear. “Well, disagreeable or not to you, it would be extremely-agreeable to me. I tell you candidly, I would like to do it, you are so sweet and beautiful, but I will refrain and deny myself that pleasure, if you keep perfectly quiet aud just try to enjoy this ride while you have the chance. If you do not—if you make*the least fuss, I vow I will do it!” “You vow you will kiss me, sir,” queried Ethel, looking sternly in, his laughing, saucy eyes as he spoke. “Yes! And you know me well enough to believe I mean what I say. I see pistols make no impression upon your mind, so I will see what threatened kisses can do. Let us understand each other, Miss Nevergail. I will not touch you, or. make myself offensive in the least, if you keep quiet and just enjoy this ride. You may as well do so, for this horse goes like lightning, and you could not possibly escape. If you scream, as I see you are inclined to do, no one will hear you, as this road is seldom used, and there are no houses on it for miles. If you do not wish to talk, I will noteven speak, but assured, if you make the least movement, you shall instantly pay the penalty by being kissed. Do you understand?” Ethel made no reply. She realized fully that the eccentric individual beside her had her in his power, therefore acknowledging to herself that it was best

under the circumstances to make no further resistance, she sank back in her seat and .remained silent and motionless. Away they flew over the long and lonely road, passing brooks, ponds, trees, rocks—indeed, everything but houses and inhabitants. During the whole drive not one word more was spoken by either victor or vanquished. Ethel’s face was deadly pale, however, during the hour that ensued before the head of the horse was turned homeward, while Robert’s was illuminated by a glow of intense satisfaction and triumph. When at length the shades of evening began to gather, they once more neared Glendenning HalL Stopping the horse before they reached the place, in a sheltered and obscure spot, Robert jumped out, then turned to assist Ethel from the vehicle. As he did so he remarked: “I really wish You had not obeyed directions so implicitly; it would have been so sweet to have ” Springing past him to the ground, Ethel darted away before he could finish toe sentence he had teasingly begun, and with a saucy smile still upon his lips the egotistical and fun-loying young man entered once more and drove toward the stables. Breathing a prayer of fervent thanksgiving to God for her safe return when 6he had once more reached her room, the poor girl brushed away the tears that had relieved her excited feelings as soon as she had entered, and then, with a sinking dread at her heart, at once repaired to the sick man’s room. A volley of spiteful, hard words saluted her entrance from the irritable invalid, and it was some time before she could utter one word in her own defense. When at last he gave her an opportunity to speak, she informed him truthfully of the outrageous conduct of his wife’s nephew. “Robert! Do you say Robert did so insolent a thing? Was he guilty of so unpardonable an act?” exclaimed the aston ished baronet. “Do not believe her, uncle,” immediately interposed Belle, who had made it her business to be present. “What she says is utterly false. I do not doubt but that she spent the time riding with some beau; but, I assure you, it was not with my brother, for he was with me the entire afternoon. She is a wicked girl to impose such a falsehood upon so sick a man.” As Belle uttered this cruel fabrication she glanced spitefully, yet with ill-con-cealed triumph, towards the amazed Ethel, who was not at all prepared for such an artful and malicious attack. “Sir Reginald, I assure you I speak only the truth. It was Robert Glendenning who forced me into his carriage, and thus detained roe against my will.” “You lie, you good-for-nothing jade! you know better,” roared Sir Reginald 1 “I will never believe it. Leave the room instantly. Ido not wish to see your face again until morning.” With a cold, dignified bow Ethel left at hjs bidding—left, too, without another word, knowing well that contradictions would only enrage and excite the passionate and unjust person before her. After she had disappeared Belle also at once took her departure, chagrined that her uncle had not instantly dismissed her rival from his service and house.

She did not know that this his lordship would on no account do, as he had intrusted to her keeping a secret which made her services far too valuable to be easily dispensed with. He might be enraged, and so dismiss her for a night; but no fault she might be guilty of would induce him to part with her while all went well in the concealed room.

CHAPTER XVI. A NARROW ESCAPE. The next afternoon Ethel felt that she could safely start to the village to make a few purchases for herself, as at the lunch table Robert had told Lady Constance he should leave homeat two that afternoon to visit a young friend, and should remain away until noon the next day. Longing, as she did, for another hour’s freedom from the sick room, she inwardly rejoiced at the tidings, and with a lighter heart than usual, passed down the ramble and through the Dorter’s gate. As she had not ventured beyond the grounds of the Hall since her arrival, except on this afternoon before, she did not know in which direction the places of business lay; therefore, seeing Sandy Staples, the lodge-keeper’s son, just beyond the place, she stopped and inquired of him. “Oh, yes; I can fc tell you, certainly. Go straight forward, pass Dr. Elfenstein’s cottage, when you will come to a grove of willows; pass that, and then the railroad track; and about one quarter of a mile beyond you will see a row of houses; that is the commencement of the real village proper, and there you will find several stores.” Thanking the boy, Ethel opened once more her parasol, for the afternoon was warm and sultry, and followed the path pointed out. When she reached the cottage her eyes wandered over its small flowerbordered garden, its pretty vine-covered porch and open windows, with their bowed blinds, just revealing the dainty, cool-looking lace curtains within, that waved back and forth gently in the faintest of all breezes. “How differently Dr. Elfenstein impresses me, with his manly bearing, his open countenance, and kindly eyes, even though his manners are reserved and quiet, from that vain, egotistical Robert Glendenning,” she thought. “I <*annot understand exactly why I detest that person so thoroughly, nor why I admire the yo mg physician so much. One thing, perhaps, influences me; I always loved usefulness in a man; Dr. Elfenstein labors for the welfare of others; young Glendenning is an idle spendthrift, living merely to gratify the pleasures of his own handsome self. One, constantly doing good, the other—l should judge by his looks and acts—evilly disposed, and reckless in all his ways.^ While thus thinking, she passed the willow grove and the railroad track, and soon reached the stores, where the purchases were made to her entire satisfaction. Then she retraced her steps, walking slowly, in order more fully to enjoy a cooler breezy that was springing up; but as she neared the railroad she quickened her steps, for she knew that a train was nearly due. Soon the place was reached, and in stepping over it to her horror she found the heel of her shoe fastened tightly in one of the frogs. With a desperate haste ,she strove to loosen it; in vain! Every struggle only made it, as it seemed, more firmly wedged.

Hark! what was that rumbling? With pallid lips and trembling form she heaid a distant whistle tell of the swiftly coming train. In despair, she stooped to unbotton the shoe; but it was a new«pne, and therefore hard to manage, while her trembling finjggrs 'sought to undo the fastening, but she found them powerless to accomplish the task. On, on came the engine. She could feel the rails vibrate with their motion, and still her foot was fast, and she could not move. Then, one wild shriek of terror rang out upon the air, and even before it died away a man’s feet came running to the spot. “Be calm! I will save you! Do not struggle—staaid perfectly still!” said a voice in her ear. On came the qars; even then they could be seen in the distance. One moment mpre and she would be under the fearful wheels; but a strong hand caught the foot, wrenched open the buttons, then, as the hot breath of the engine was almost upon her, she was drawn from the perilous position, and knew no more. When she opened her eyes she was lying on the green grass, a short distance from the spot, while her head reclined upon some gentleman’s shoulder, and the same person was gently fanning her with a folded newspaper. Looking up, she met the earnest eyes of Dr. Elfenstein bent upon hers, and gaw that he was thus kindly supporting her. 1 “It is all right now, Miss Nevergail. You are safe, and will be yourself in one moment,” he said, in answer to the inquiring look she gave him. “Oh, but that was terrible, terrible!” she murmured, with a shudder, as her eyes closed again, at the mere rememrance. “It was, truly! While I got to you in time, thank God, there was not a second to spare!” “Oh, Doctor, I can never thank you, for I know now that it was you who saved me!” “Do not try, Miss Nevergail; I will not be thanked. My fright, I assure you, was nearly equal to your own. ” “How did you get the shoe off?” she asked, at length, as she raised herself from his arm, and glanced at her foot. “I never can tell; it was so stiff and tight it took all my strength. But now, since you are better, I will see what has become of that obstinate little boot.” In a few moments he smilingly returned with its dilapidated remains in his hand. “You will scarcely know your own property,” he remarked, “it is so crushed and torn. The action of the heavy train loosed it, and thus I came off with the spoil.” “My 1 poor, poor shoe,” said Ethel, a faint smile hovering around her pale lips. “Well, it may better be crushed than my foot; but, really, though scarcely wearable, I must put it on;” and she reached out her hand for the torn object. “Nay, allow me to restore it to its place,” said the Doctor, kneeling beside her. “My poor child, you have scarcely strength enough yet for such a task. ” With the greatest tenderness and care, he drew the boot over one of the smallest little feet he had ever seen supporting a woman, and as he finished buttoning the very few buttons that remained, he arose, and begged her to keep seated until he brought hither his horse and gig, as he told her he should insist upon carrying her home, as she was, he knew, still weak from fright. Looking around, Ethel saw, for the first time, his horse standing quietly by the roadside, a short distance from the track, where he had left him to rush to her assistance. Bringing the animal and conveyance to her side, Earle turned, and before she fairly understood his intention, gathered her in his arms from the ground, and, lifting her into the seat, sprang lightly to her side. “You must not be startled at my presumption, Miss Nevergail. Remember physicians have privileges others have not. You are my patient now, and until I see the color re-established on your lips and cheeks, I am in duty bound to care for you. You are not offended?” He bent to gaze into her eyes as he asked the question, and his earnest look brought the tell-tale blood back to her cheeks. “Oh, no, no! That would be ungrateful indeed!” was the low reply. The ride really revived her, and as the Doctor took her quite a roundabout way, in order to prolong it, assuring her it would be beneficial to do so, she was able to give a natural spring as he held out his hands-to assist her to the ground, when at length they drove up to the entrance of Glendenning Hall. There was a happy smile still upon her lips, as after thanking and bidding her kind friend adieu, and seeing him lift his hat as he drove off, she ran up the piazza steps to pass to her room. But the smile vanished instantly as Belle came forward from behind the heavy screen of vines, and with an angry look in her eyes exclaimed: “What does this mean? I wish to know if Sir Reginald pays you a salary to ride around the country with young men? I shall inform him of this ride, agaip, to-day.” “As you please, Miss Glendenning. It certainly is not my intention to keep secret the fact that I have just narrowly escaped death by being crushed by the cars. As Dr. Elfenstein risked his life to drag me from danger, and then employed his skill to bring me from a dreadful sv/oon, he certainly thought it no harm to restore me safely to your uncle’s aid, as I was too weak from fright to walk.” - So saying, Ethel passed on, leaving the angry but astonished girl to her own reflections. That these were not of a very pleasant nature the following whisper gave evidence: “It is always the way. Wish to keep one person away from another, and something is sure to happen to bring them together. One thing 1 am determined, however, he shall never marry Ethel Nevergail, if I can possible prevent it.” [TO BE CONTINUED. I