Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1891 — Dr. Elfenstein's Mission [ARTICLE]

Dr. Elfenstein's Mission

1 Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

CHAPTER XVlH—Continued. Then a violently storm was raging. The storm was, strange to say, the first that had occurred in the evening since his night view of the haunted (bowser, and its dancing demon, just five weeks before. Not wishing to 'he seen by any of the inmates, he did not venture out until after nine o’clock. Then the wild wind and drenching rain served to retard his progress so much that it was fall quarter to ten before he felt the warn pathway. and 'crept behind the clump of thick, wet bushes, where, once concealed from view, he paused to light ;a small dark lantern !he had wisely brought with him. By the aid >af this he proceeded to examine what seemed only a dull, blank wall. Close inspection, however, revealed a a large stone that was loose, which he easily drew forth, making a clean, unobstructed passageway, through which a, man could creep, and without hesitation, in he went, landing directly upon an old but still [passable floor. Towering his light, he paused to examine this floor, and “found, to his surprise, wet tracks upon it, that told plainly that very recent footsteps had passed that way. Followingithese, the young man walked in a direct line across the building, until he reached ,a (door, which, upon trying, he 'found, !to his chagrin, securely fastened. Even while he paused -to reflect upon his next movement distant footsteps fell upon ihis ear, just beyond the door, and hurriedly he darted hack, extinguishing his light as he did so. Just in ttime was this movement made, for a hand unhooked the fastening, •opened the door, and there, to his unmitigated surprise, stood Ethel Nerver:gail, the girl so much the object df his thoughts since that narrow escape of hers a day or two before, with a lighted ■candle in her hand, peering into the darkness beyond. Had she seen him? he asked himself; •creeping like a thief toward this unfortunate house, and, hearing ihis steps, had she come to warn him away? No; the thought was absurd, and he soon saw that she came seeking merely a, covered basket, not observed until then, standing j.ust beyond the door. How pale she looked, as he viewed for •one moment her sad face, and—yes, sorely those were .tears '.that Jell from her beautiful hazel eyes upon her cheek! The sight <of those tears caused him to •take one step toward her, but she for’tunately did mot see him, but drew to the •door, after securing the basket, and he then heard her little feet start down the ■corridor. Eesolved not to be balked in his efforts to (unravel, this night, one mystery at least, Dr. Eisenstein pushed again toward the door, and to his joy it this time yielded to bis touch. Poor Ethel!! this night for the first time had been required by (Sir Reginald Glemdenriing, to visit the tower, and follow out directions he gave heriim full, for producing the illusions that were to terrify the unsuspecting public. In great agitation then, and still weeping, she had proceeded to the fulfillment of her loathsome duty, and in her grief and excitement, for the first time forgot to fasten the door, after possessing herself of the food. This forgetfulness accounts for the entrance of the Doctor into the corridor, and enabled him to follow her advancing figure, softly in the distance. CHAPTER XIX A TERRIBLE FRIGHT. Wiping away her tears, poor Ethel placed the basket of food and knife upon the floor, by the entrance of the tower, as Sir Reginald had told her to attend to the business in that quarter before administering to the wants of the concealed quadruped. ■ The wind raged furiously without; the thunder rolled, and lurid lightning flashes entered the windows of the tower as she crept up the stairs, on and on, up and up, ever up, while her heart beat faster and faster, as she thought of the loathsome task before her. At last the weary steps were climbed, and she stood panting on the broad landing, just below the upper windows of the place. It was standing on this landing that her part of the ghostly work was to be performed. Taking then a long-handled torch, with which the colored lights above were to be touched in order to light them, she applied the candle to it, and reaching up soon had every one illuminated and flaming away in the usual unearthly looking glare. In doing so she never observed the tall, silent figure of the man who had crept after her and now stood in the shade below, intently watching her every njoKon.

Thu stuffed form before her was Mat to bo attended to. Taking, therefore, the lamp from within the head she lighted it, and putting it back almost exclaimed at the effect the colored light gave the eyes. Winding the crank slowly, she saw that it worked as she supposed it would, and soon the impish figure was swung aloft, and stood dancing to and fro, to the terror and dismay of all outward beholders. With tears still falling over her pale cheeks, Ethel stood with her eyes fastened above upon the swaying motions of that frightful-looking image, when her heart almost stopped within her, and a wild cry burst from her lips as these words fell upon her ears: “Is it possible that this is the occupation of Miss Ethel Nevergail this stormy night?” Turning, she saw advancing toward her, and fully revealed bv the lights above, the form of Dr. Eisenstein. “Oh, Doctor,” she wailed, as she buried her face in her hands, and burst into low sobs of pain and dismay, “how came you here to witness my disgraceful work?” Then suddenly remembering her charge, and true to the interests of her employer, she again seized the crank and, lowering the image, extinguished that head lamp, as well as the others, leaving everything in darkness but for the feeble flare of one little candle she had placed upon the floor. Then turning she faced her accuser. * “I came, no matter how; suffice it that I was determined to unmask this daring fraud, and so allay the fears of timid women and children. Certainly, in doing this, I never expected to discover that Miss Nevergail was the prime mover in this outrageous piece of work!” Ethel listened to the cold, hard words in utter despair, then fluttering like a wounded bird to the side of the indignant man, she laid one small, white hand’on his arm, which was shaken off in disdain before she could utter one of the following words: “It is the first time I ever did this thing. Oh, believe me; surely you must remember that I was in Liverpool when you saw that sight, the time when it last appeared?” “Yes, that is true; I had forgotten. But that does not absolve you from tonight’s ghastly deception,” was the still cold reply. “But Sir Reginald compelled me to do it. I begged and entreated him to excuse me; I told him it was sinful, but he flew into a passion, and bade me disobey him on the peril of his everlasting displeasure. Sir, I was homeless, and he was sick! What was Ito do?” “Forgive me! You poor little girl, I was harsh andcrudl in my judgment. You were, indeed, obliged to execute the vile plans of the baronet. There,” added he, tenderly, as he drew her hands from her face, and with his handkerchief wiped away her tears, “weep no more;' you were not to blame. Child, give me your hand in token of forgiveness.” Laying her trembling hand in his, she murmured: t “Then you do not despise me?” ’ “Despise you? No! no! I only,” he stopped; he was about to say “love you,” Unit remembering his vow, he added softly, “pity you!” “Yes, you may pity me! Oh, auntie, auntie! why did I ever promise you to •come to this wretched place?” was her wailing cry. Still holding her hand in his, and also taking from her the candle, he turned (and led her down the long, steep stairs. Only once did Ethel speak, then she merely said: “Sir Reginald will be very angry, if he hears of your entrance herel Must he be told?” “I will think it over, and let you know to-morrow. You must sleep to-night, and so recover from this nervousness.” They soon reached the bottom stair, and entered the eorrldor. Then Ethel remembered that her work was but half done, and the rest could not be accomplished until Dr. Eisenstein had left ner. Turning to him, she said: “Will you kindly tell me how you entered this place? You must leave mo now, going silently as you came.” “I will. I came through the ruins. I saw you open a door, and reach for a ■basket, then I instantly entered.” “But surely, I fastened it again?” “You were so .agitated you. forgot to do it. I certainly opened it, without difficulty, and crept after you, eager to solve the mystery of the haunted tower, which I then, for the first time, began.to connect with your movements. But you ■are weary now, so I will legve you, and return as I came.” Giving back the candle, he took her hand and was just saying, “Good-night, Miss Nevergail,” when suddenly both stopped short in their walk; both turned deadly pale, as .a short, strange, loud report, close by their ears, startled and confounded them. Then, to their horror, something darted toward them, a huge form swooped past, dashing the candle to the ground, thus extinguishing it, leaving them in total darkness and gloom. “Oh,.what is it, what as it?” cried the terrified girl, as she nestled close to her companion, while be, scarcely realizing what he did, threw his arms around her form, to protect her from he knew not what. Suddenly, a wild, unearthly laugh or yell floated to them from the other end of the corridor, and as it passed, Dr. Eisenstein pressed the girl he held closer to his heart, and laid his cheek against her frightened face. “What can it be? Is it imp or ” “Devil, I guess,” interrupted the Doctor. Then, gently raising her, he said: “But this will not do; I must strike a light and see what this can be. ” Stooping to find the candle, another eldritch-like wail came, this time as if from the ruins, and with the first sound Ethel darted toward the man beside her, crying: “Oh, do not leave me! I shall die, I shall die!” Gathering her once more in his arms, the Doctor whispered: “I will not. You are not so afraid now, and thus, close to me, are you, dear?” “No; not so fearfully afraid as I was. ” Gently stroking her hair, the young man felt, even in the terror inspired by their dreadful position, a feeling almost of rapture steal over him as he held her thus close in his arms, with hers clinging to his waist. But, suddenly, calmer reflections came; he felt this thing must be seen to; whatever presence had been near him must be discovered, and that he ought to follow up the sound. “Child!” he whispered, “whatever has been near us, I know by that last cry, has escaped into the ruins, through the door by which I entered. That being so. I must in duty carry jrou to a place

of safety, then search around to see what it could have been. ” Instantly, then, it flashed over Ethers mind that the ape, Sir Reginald's choice concealed treasure, had escaped, and that the knife she had so carelessly given him had done the deed. He had cut his way out. Oh, the terror this thought thrust into her heart was almost unbearable! At once she became, as it were* a dead weight again in the Doctor’s arms. Then another thought came that imparted new life. Her oath had been taken never to reveal the existence of that animal, nor of the concealed room. * In order to keep this vow Dr. Eisenstein must not examine the premises. She knew well now the meaning of that first report. The beast had knocked down the iron shelves burst open the panels, arid in consequence a light would show the Doctor that opening and the room beyond. No. He must never examine this corridor. Nerving herself for a now task, she said: “Doctor, I cannot consent to left a moment here alone! Nor will I consent to your exposing yourself further to-night. Take me, then, to my room, and we will lock up this place, and you can steal softly from the house another way. ” “But, Miss Nevergail, surely this ought to be investigated. ” “Oh, no, please do not investigate! I cannot allow it—cannot endure it!” As she spoke, a long, deep shudder passed over her frame, and the Doctor, noticing it, knew at once that her nervous system could stand no more, and therefore felt it was best to yield. “Shall I not, at least, light the candle?” “No, no! I cannot bear it!” murmured the poor girl, horrified at the thought of what a light might reveal. “Tell me, then, which way your room lies, and I shall carry you thither at once!” “Straight! Just beyond the door by which you entered, through a passageway; my room lies opposite its door,’’she returned. “But, indeed, Doctor, I can walk, if you will only let mo hold your arm. I would rather. ” “Well, be it so!” returned the man, releasing her, yet still retaining her hand, which he drew under his arm. When they neared the door of the ruin, however, Ethel felt a strong current of air upon her cheek, which revealed the fact that it stood wide open, and Instantly a deadly fear of the horrible creature that had escaped, being still near, seized her, and again she shrank closer to her friend, while her faltering steps told of departing strength. Without a word, Earle Eisenstein once more lifted her in his arms, and so passed into the passageway. Remembering that his presence there must be kept a secret, the young girl whispered: “Step softly; let no one hear.” “I will,” he breathed back, and, guided by the dim light uuder the door indicated, he passed through, emerging from the open wardrobe into the bedroom beyond. Placing her in a large easy chair, he stepped back, closed and fastened both doors, then returned to her side. “Please, Doctor,” she murmured, “examine every part of this room, before you go, to be sure the dreadful —the dreadful ” she hesitated. “Yes, I know,” he interrupted, “and you will soon see that you are perfectly safe.” Obeying her wish, he then made a thorough search of room and closet. But, as he supposed, nothing was to be seen. “Now, how will you you leave the house?” she murmured, anxiously. A sly look back toward the porridor caused her to exclaim, in a whisper, as she laid her hand entreatingly on his arm: “Not there, Doctor; promise me you will not return to that place this night, but will go directly home. ” Again Earle yielded to the pleading of the sweet girl beside him, and again answered: “Then I must either drop from your window or go through the hall. Stay! I see a strong strap around your trunk. It is the very thing! I will fasten it to balcony, and so. slip down by its aid to the ground. Are you willing?” “Perfectly, Doctor,” she whispered; “do you know I should have died from fright had you not been there?” “Yes, I know; and now, before I say good-night, I shall mix you a composing •draught, and then you must promise me to go instantly to your bed as soon as you take in the strap and close the window, and the last thing, swallow the preparation I shall leave. Will you do this, in return for my not investigating further what I see you do not wish explained?” Ethel hesitated, then, remembering that she could not see Sir Reginald that night, she gave the promise. A moment more passed, and then the strap had been fastened, the JHoctor had whispered, “Good-night, and God bless you,” and she watched him disappear amid the darkness and storm. Darting out, she secured the strap without trouble, fastened down the window, and soon slept under the effects of the anodyne he had so thoughtfully left for her use. Well indeed was it for her that she could sleep, for without some rest she could never have borne the terrible excitement that awaited her in the nearing hours of the coming day. But why anticipate new troubles? Ah, tirhy, when the words of inspiration say, so pointedly. “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. ” [to be continued.]