Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1891 — Dr.Elfenstein's Mission [ARTICLE]

Dr.Elfenstein's Mission

S Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

CHAPTER XVII, ETHEL MAKES A STRANGE BLUNDER. Ethel dW not entirely recover from the effects of her fright until after the night’s sleep had served to calm her nerves, and all the evening that followed she was excited and scarcely able to control herself. When she bade the family good-night and kicked herself into her room, in order to proceed to her nightly task, it was with a dazed feeling and an aching head. Nerving herself for her duty, however, as well as she could, she proceeded to light her candle, and, taking the indispensable knife, she passed through the wardrobe and passageway into the corridor beyond. Possessing herself of the basket of food, she remembered to fasten the door with the iron hook, a precaution that the baronet had charged her always to observe, that by mo possibilitycoulddhe be surprised while accomplishing her task, then, passing 'onward, she opened the panel as usual, and placed the plate <of food upon the Shelves. As she did so, 3he heard -distinctly a movement on the other -side, which, being rather unusual, Ifor -silence alone ordinarily reigned, startled her .already excited nerves so -much that she gave the shelves the required shove, and, just as they whirled away, she saw, to her horror, when it was too late to stop them, that sho had drqpped the knife from her hand, and ilt !had gone (around with-the food. Breathlessly she'waited for the return movement, hoping that the -creature within would not observe it, and that it would come back'with the plate. As she waited, .a singular, loud, shrill ndise-or cry came from within. The next moment:the shelves had resolved, and the plate.alone appeared. Appalled with her own carelessness, and fancying she knew not-what as the result, the terrified, half frantic girl could only draw shut the panels with all the expedition possible, and then'hastily return the basket, Hasten the door, and seek the safety of her own apartment. Oh, how she blamed herself for that careless, blundering act, and :the more she blamed, theimore she could not foresee the result of her first false move. What was now her duty? Should she immediately seek the baronet, .who was probably asleep by this •time,.and, telling him the-midhap, :ask what was to:be done? Nd! she.could mat think -this course a wise one. The baronet an exceedingly passionate man. Sudh a tale, at this ihour, woulcLithrow him into,a whirl of nervous anger, thatunight cause damageito the broken hip, the bones of which, all hoped, had ibythis time commenced to unite. She saw, then, at -once, that this course'would not answer. But woulddt be well to tell him omthe morrow? What could ihe do if .acquainted with the ntturedf her disaster? He could not move -from his bed. He 2®uld not, or-,would not crave assistance of any iperson he knew. It would onKy distress,him,,and (prove of ;no avail in .the end. Perhaps, after all, the ape, or whatever the creature was, would do mo harm with the knife. He prdbafcily would handle iit a little, then drop it, and where it fell, it -would lie, unremembered and useless. Certainly this must be the result. She felt she must consider it so, and trust that Providence would direct it ail ensthis way, and so allow no harm to in ue. No sleep visited her weary eyes, until! long after midnight, she was so unhappy and so unnerved by all the events oif the last twenty-four hours, and again aaid again she prayed that all might go well, and nothing terrible result from the loss of that dreadful knife. Rising with the alarm at the usual hell that rang to awaken the household, the poor girl again commenced to review the problem that had presented itself to be worked out the night before. Once more 6he asked the question: Should she worry Sir Reginald by telling him of the accident that had befallen her, or should she not? Before deciding positively, she resolved to pay the corridor a morning visit* and by listening, study out if all was going on as usual. This resolve she instantly carried into effect. Turning once 1 more from her room, down the corridor, she placed her ear ebse to the panel, and listened intently to hear if any movement could be discovered within the concealed room. All was still. Not the faintest motion was perceptible; therefore, feeling greatly relieved, she returned, quite sure that all must be well, and firmly resolved to say nothing of what had happened, and while keeping silent endeavor to drive the entire circumstance from her own mind, and so be at peace. The day passed on as usual, and when night brought her to the shelves she •oee more found to her satisfaction siV

knee reigning, and felt that now, Indeed, all was right. Poor Ethel! She little knew the fearful consequences yet to ensue from her first blunder. The third afternoon had arrived, and nothing had transpired to lead her to apprehend the least trouble from that unfortunate occurrence. She had, therefore, regained the courage shp had lost, and was fast driving the entire pircumstance from her mind. This afternoon Sir Reginald had expressed a wish for music, therefore she had brought her guitar to his bedside, and had sung several ballads for his amusement. “I think,” at length he said, interrupting her, “that it grows cloudy. Please look out, and tell me if a shower is approaching. ” Ethel arose at his bidding, and, after examining the sky, returned, saying, as she resumed her seat: “There is, indeed. A very black cloud is lying in the wpst, which foretells a hard shower. ” “Then put aside your instrument and draw close to me, as I have some private instructions to give you in regard to a new work to be done to-night. Are we entirely alone?" “We are. Mrs. Fredon left the room to prepare you some nourishment, and your wife and niece are in the grounds, ” replied Ethel, trembling, she knew not why. “Then listen intently to my instructions. If that storm rages about half-past nine or ten o’clock to-night, you must visit the Haunted Tower and put in motion some machinery I have erected there. ” “Oh, Sir Reginald,” murmured the shrinking listener, “please do not ask that of me. ” “Shut up! You just attend to my orders, and do what I tell you to do. Never dare dispute my will.” The baronet then proceeded to give minute directions for the lighting of each light, and also for the movements of the frightful and hideous image there concealed. At its conclusion he remarked: “Ho you think you understand every particular of the work I now require to be done?” “I do,” replied Ethel; “but, sir, my soul revolts from the whole thing. I consider it a wicked deception, and I beg you to excuse me from undertaking it.” “Who cares wbat you think about it! No one asked your opinion. Do it you shall, so do not dare to utter another word against it. ” “Sir Reginald, I have faithfully performed your wishes in regard to feeding the animal, whose life you value so highly, knowing that to preserve the life of even the least of God’s creatures is a duty, tout I can see no possible necessity for striving to impose upon the credulity of the inhabitants of this quiet place. ” “That, I tell you is my business and not yours,” was the angry reply. “You are here simply to attend to my work and I havo well paid you for doing so. ” “I know that; but surely I am at liberty to point out an error in your wishes and judgment. Sir Reginald, this thing that you ask me to do is wrong, and I entreat you to carry it no further. You say you have done this yourself for twenty-five years; surely that can answer any purpose you may have to effect by it. Please, then, be satisfied, and let this thing rest!” “I tell you I will not,” replied the baronet, fairly purple from rage. “Do you not see that your obstinacy is throwing me into a terrible and injurious excitement? I command you to obey my wishes. If you dare refuse, you shall leave my house this night, even though I know you have nowhere to lay your head. Do you hear? “I do!” murmured the distressed girl. “Will you obey?” No answer came, the only reply she could make being a burst of tears. Maddened by her silence and sobs, the baronet started up, until leaning upon his elbow, a thing he had been expressly forbidden to do, as it would jar his hip, he shook his fist violently in her face, while he demanded in fury: “Will you obey?” “I will!” she at last gasped, between her sobs. Poor girl! Seeing his violent excitement, and remembering her aunt’s last charges, she dared not refuse. “Then see that you do it, ” he returned, more calmly, as he sank back with a groan upon his pillow. Mrs. Fredon having by this time reappeared, Ethel withdrew from his side, and repaired to her own apartment to weep over her unfortunate, lot, and to watch the clouds, hoping that the expected shower might pass around without reaching the spot in which she resided. But her hope was vain! As the evening came, the dreaded cloud approached nearer and nearer, and when 10 o’clock struck, thunder, lightning, wind, and rain were ridirig furiously upon, above, and around the earth. There was, therefore, no escape from the disgraceful duty that awaited her, so at her usual time she took the lighted .candle in her hand and started with teariul eyes to;attend to the task ij>efore her.

CHAPTER XVIII. DR. ELFENSTEIN MAKES A MOVE. After Dr. Elfenstein had asked permission of Sir Reginald Glendenning to search the Haunted Tower he felt exceedingly puzzled over his future course. Resolved as he was to penetrate the mystery of that place, hq could not understand hosw the thing was to be accomplished. Sometimes he thought he was foolishly interested in this ghostly visitant, blit again his promise to Mr. Rappelye to examine all the premises, penetrate to and study all the rooms, would return to his remembrance, and he felt that this must be included in that sacred charge. In all his to Sir Reginald, although reserved in manner, his every nerve had been on the alert. He had been told that the room occupied .by the present baronet was the one where Sir Arthur had met his sad fate. Knowing this, he fairly studied that room. He noted its width, height, and breadth; the height of the two wiiedows from the floor, the size of those windows, and particularly he noted the one from which the rope had dangled that had been used to lower the body to the ground. He had several tiroes walked to that window, as if meditating over his patient’s case, and looked out, surveying the ground below, and the distance, from it to the lake, which was visible through the trees. Then he scrutinized every article of furniture the room contained, from the massive black-walnut bedstead to a large, tall wardrobe, of the same material, that stood opposite the door, and which he observed was always locked. Several times he caught himself wishing

he could see its contents, but smiled at his own curious nature. From this house, which he visited daily in his professional calling, he often drove around, examining the stables and outbuildings, and sometimes slowly went around the tower to view the ruined part and to see if he could effect 5 an entrance. One day—it was the one on which Ethel started for the eventful walk, he in such a drive noticed a small, welltrodden pathway leading up to a of bushes. Instantly the thought struck him that behind those bushes, concealed from view, might be an open passage to the place, although he felt certain there was no doorway. The more he thought of this the more he was siye It must be the case. Why that well-used path through the grass if not for some such purpose? Yes; some human feet were in the habit of entering there, and he resolved to return to the place, under cover of darkness, and investigate those bushes. Full of this discovery, and full of hope that he might yet penetrate to the mysterious tower, he touched his horse with the whip and drove hastily away. But just as he emerged again into the ramble, he saw Miss Belle Glendenning gazing at him from an upper window, and felt mortified that she should have noticed his ride around the premises, as conscience whispered that it must speak to her of a prying nature. Feeling, however, that it was done, and could not now be recalled, he passed on, and proceeded to visit the homes of several sick persons who need his advice and assistance. On his return it was that he suddenly heard a wild shriek of terror, and looking around, had seen Ethel in that dangerous situation, while the nearing train told of the death awaited her. Springing to the ground, he had rushed to her assitance, and had, as we have already said, wrenched apart those stiff fastenings, and drawn her from her,, peril. Then, with her fainting form clasped in his arms, he had carried her to a place of safety, and, placing her upon the grass, had held her against his breast, while he removed her hat, and by fanning and rubbing had sought to restore animation. How lovely she looked to the young man as she thus lay so quietly in his embrace, her golden hair, which had become disheveled in his awkwardness, floating around her, with her white cheeks, upon which the long, black lashes curled, nestling sq closely against his heart. He could scarcely refrain from pressing his lips to hers, in his deep joy, that she was saved from the horrible danger that had surrounded her. But he did refrain, and after she had recovered, and the shoe had been replaced, and her hair and hat rearranged and restored, he could not overcome a feeling of longing to have her in his arms once more, before he must yield her back, and again banishing her sweet remembrance, must return to the stern duty he had so solemnly undertaken. Oh, how this spring of love resembleth the uncertain glory of an April -day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, and by and by a cloud takes all away. Too well he remembered -that he had promised, in the most sacred way, to give himself to the cause of another, to act for him, and to let nothing stand in his lawful way, in order to unravel (this mystery. No love, then, must enter his breast! No maiden must divert his mind from his life work, and his vow! But one thing he would do: he would gather her in his arms just once more, place her in his gig, and carry her safely back to the Hall, and after that work alone should be his portion. This, then, he proceeded t® accomplish, but her startled look as he caught her up had frightened him, .and the fear of her displeasure had led to the half apology he had uttered -in his own defense. After he had left her at the Hall it was hard to recall his truant thoughts to their proper sphere, but with set teeth and a finfla resolve he plunged into study and active wo'rlj murder to be at peace with himself. He then returned to the remembrance of the little pathway he had discovered to the ruins, and determined to visit the place that very night. But a writer has well said that “Man proposes, and God disposes,” for he did not go near the place that evening, as a sudden call to visit a person in great agony, several miles away, sent him into an entirely different region, and detained him there awhile. The dragon wing of night o’erspreads the earth, and not until The first, opening of the gorgeous east did he return. The great suffering of this new patient even detained him by his side until after midnight the second evening, .and a third time had night folded the earth before relief came to the weary one, and Earle Elfenstein was at liberty to pay the lonely ruin the desired call. ITO BE CONTINUED. !