Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1891 — Dr. Elfenstein's Mission [ARTICLE]

Dr. Elfenstein's Mission

fi‘ Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

(Chapter xxiv. SIR REGINALD’S DEATH. A few weeks passed on without bringing to Ethel the slightest occasion for a regretful sigh that she had changed her home and occupation; and whenever she paused to reflect upon the disagreeable dfities required of her by Sir Reginald, the more -she shuddered at the bare remembrance. But, while filled with indignation at the brutal manner in which he had received the communication of the accident that had so strangely befallen her, and the abruptness of her dismissal, she longed to know whether he had recovered from the effects of his ungovernable rage, and also whether the missing animal had been found and restored. Of course she dared question no one about it, and her only resource was to the village daily paper, which she read with eagerness, but no reference was ever made to the subject. Occasionally, Dr. Elfenstein called to see Lady -Claire, but the bare inquiry after the baronet’s condition was all she felt at liberty to make. The reply ever was that Sir Reginald’s nervous system was in such a terrible state that it was impossible for him to improve as yet. The manner of the Doctor toward herself she thought constrained and reserved, and this gave her intense pain. She feared that he did not approve of her course, and imagined, fiom his quiet appearance, that her refusal to acquaint him with the nature of her fault might cause him to magnify the error into a positive crime. Little did the poor girl know that his coldness was assumed, merely, to hide the real state of his affections, in order to attend to the sacred duty which he had undertaken. That duty he had by no means forgotten. He had looked up, after many difficulties, papers of a remote date that had published the entire trial of .Fitzroy Gtendenning, and had noted the fact that the valet, Antoine Duval, had testified against him by relating his unfortunate words, spoken in a moment of intense excitement. The thought had then occurred to him that this Antoine might be implicated in the deed -of darkness that had so immediately followed. Lately, his whole spare time had been occupied in trying to trace out the movements and whereabouts of this man. For some time all that he could discover was that he had remained in Sir Reginald’s employment about a year after the murder, and then had suddenly left the place and departed to some region unknown. One day he accidentally entsred the village postoffice just as the postmaster was saying to an old man who stood near: “I wonder who Pierre Duval can be? I have a letter for him. There was a man named Antoine Duval living at the Hall once; do you know what became of him and whether he had a son Pierre?” “He had no son, as he never married. Antoine is dead. He was killed by some unknown assassin in France, where he went alter leaving Sir Reginald." "Are you sure?” “Perfectly. He did not live six months after leaving here.” “And his murderer .escaped?” “Yes, leaving no clew to his identity behind him- Detectives did all they could to ferret out the mystery; but, like Sir Arthur’s fate, I suppose, it will never be solved." The conversation here ceased, but Dr. Elfenstein had now learned a fact that he so long had wished settled. It was impossible to gain information through this DuvaL He was dead, and all hope in that direction was at an end. Entering, therefore, his gig, he drove to the Hall. He found Sir Reginald still restless and excited, and after leaving some new remedies with Mrs. Fredon, ho badc him “good afternoon,” and was hastening from the house, when Miss Belle Glendenning called his name as he held the front door open, and leaving it ajar, he stepped into the boudoir to speak to her. “Dr. Elfenstein,” she said very sweetly, raising her eyes to his, as he approached, “please excuse me for detaining you, but I desired so much to know what you think of my uncle, that I could not allow you to pass without inquiring. ” “I wish I could say he was improving,, but really he seems so nervous that he can scarcely gain in strength!” This was what the designing girl wished. This remark gave her the opportunity long sought, tQ say some disparaging thing of one she feared he might admire, and she hastened to seize the chance. “What a misfortune it was that such an unprincipled and exasperating girl ever entered this house!” “What girl?” asked the Doctor, suspecting at once to whom she alluded, and rather anxious to draw her out. “You surely do not mean Miss Nevbrgail?” “I surely do! She certainly must have been the cause of his relapse, as she was the only person with him, and has never been seen since ” “But Sir Reginald told me he ordered her from the house. ” “I know he did. But any one can see ■ she must have given him great provo-

cation. Do you know where she is, Doctor?" “I have an impression that she is teachin g. She—-** Whatever Dr. Elfenstein intended to add to this sentence was never uttered, as an interruption came in the form of a quick, sharp cry for help, coming from Sir Reginald’s room on the floor above, followed by the excited voice of the nurse calling him by name. Bounding up the steps, two at a time, went the Doctor, followed closely bv Belle. As the physician entered the room he glanced toward the bed, and was horrified to see the baronet lying in a fit, while Lady Constance, who had entered at the first call, stood screaming by his side, and the almost equally alarmed nurse was rubbing and chaffing his poor hands. Goipg instantly to his side, the Doctor commenced doing all he could for his recovery, but, he saw at once that the case \was apoplectic, and that he would never revive. “How did this happen? How was he taken? I saw no symptoms of this a few moments since. ” “I was sitting by his side reading,” replied Mrs. Fredon, “when the strangest thing happened I ever knew. The door from the hall opened and a singularlooking man entered, and going to the foot of Sir Reginald’s bed, stood there, with his eyes fixed upon those of the baronet before him, without speaking one word. “Sir Reginald started up at the sight of the stranger, in the greatest terror, and, raising one hand as if to push him off, exclaimed: “ ‘Great God! Mercy! mercy!’ then fell back on the pillow in the condition you now see him. ” “Where is the man?” “Seeing what had been the effect of his sudden appearance, he turned at once and fled from the room. ” “Can you describe him?” asked the Doctor. “Yes; he was tall and slender, his hair and beard were white, and very long.” “Had he anything in his hands?” “In one a black leather wallet, in the other a book and some papers. ” “It must have been old Stiles, the book-seller. I remember now, he was just going out of the front door as I heard you call, and ran up. I had left the door partly open, it being warm, to speak to Miss Belle in the boudoir, and he must have glided in unperceived, eager for a chance to get subscribers for his book. Seeing so sick a person, and the effect.his unannounced presence had wrought, I suppose, caused his hurried flight from the house. In Sir Reginald’s nervous condition the surprise of seeing so singular-looking a person by his bedside proved more than he could endure, and this has been the result. ” The conversation now ceased, as every effort was required in order to bring the baronet back to consciousness. For fully an hour Dr. Elfenstein and Mrs. Fredon worked over that senseless form, but all was of no avail, for just as the sun dropped behind the western hills, the spirit of Sir Reginald Glendenning passed back to his God. Great indignation was expressed throughout the neighborhood when his sudden death and its cause became known. The eccentricities of Rev. Edwin C. Stiles had taken a very offensive form, and it was decided that some person should be appointed to inform him that he never again must take the liberty Of walking into a house until duly announced. The person appointed to attend to this matter was Rev. Mr. Lee, who, being a brother minister, could, it was thought; approach him in the most serious and effective manner. So Mr. Lee kept upon the watch for his appearance; but, strive though he might to find him, “Old Stiles” was nowhere to be seen, and at the end of ten days had not again entered the village. In the meantime the funeral of Sir Reginald took place. The greatest display that wealth and influence could exert was in full force. The departed baronet had never been loved. His morose, ugly disposition had been exercised toward all to such an extent that much sorrow was not felt at his loss; nevertheless, he was a titled man, and his possessions were great; therefore, every mark of attention was bestowed upon his family, and he was laid to rest in all the pomp and grandeur that was usually bestowed upon the funerals of persons of his rank.

CHAPTER XXV. THE CAVE. About three days after the burial of the baronet, Ethel Neyergail, with Lady Clare Linwood, accompanied by a groom, started out for their usual horseback ride, as this exercise Dr. Elfenstein considered essential to the health of his young patient The two being always together and congenial in spirit, they enjoyed the hours thus spent exceedingly. Both were skillful horsewomen and both were extravagantly fond of the saddle. Most of the scenery around shire was romantic and full of beauty, and they explored its many retreats with happy hearts, awake to each new and varied charm that nature opened so prodigally before them. This morning they had resolved to follow a wild-looking path, leading through a deep wood, one they had never noticed, in rides past the spot, until thedav before. Laughing and chatting gayly, they pushed through a narrow path, half overgrown with weeds and brambles, piercing deeper and deeper into what seemed the densest woodland shade. “Have you any idea, Roger,” asked Lady Claire, at last, of the attending groom, who kept a short and respectful distance in the rear, “where this narrow path will take us?” “I have not, my lady. I am sure I never noticed it before, and should not now, ’ad you not first discovered it Perhaps, as it is so rough and overgrown, you ’ad better turn back.” “After awhile, Roger! As long as we can get through, I shall like to go on, in order to gratify my awakened curiosity. ” Suddenly, after an advance offhbout half a mile, both girls noticed at once that footsteps had diverged from the beaten path, and looking towards the point to which they seemed directed, they were astonished to see the opening entrance, to what seemed a large cave, overhung with vines of thick luxuriance. These vines seemed lately to parted, revealing, as I have said, a passage into a roomy cave. Reining up their horses, they paused before the spot, in order to survey it more closely, when all distinctly heard low moans of pain, issuing from a point near the entrance. • Surmising at once that some fellowbeing was in distress, Ethel requested Roger to dismount and investigate the place, and immediately return to re-

port the cause of the apparent suffering within. The man dismounted as requested, and disappeared from view, only to return with the news that the eccentric book-seller. Rev. Edwin C. Stfles, was very ill in that remote and hidden spot. Bidding Roger assist her to the ground, Ethel at once hastened to the side of the sick man. She found him stretched upon an old cot bed in this damp and gloomy retreat, far away from the haunts of men. Oh glancing rapidly around, she noticed a few articles of furniture and a few utensils for daily use, but saw no trace of fire or food. On this rude bed, then, lay stretched the form of the eccentric being who had been so much talked of during the past few days. His cheeks were flushed with fever, while the weary movements of his head told of intense pain in that region. Cia«ped in his thin, white hands upon his breast lay the mysterious wallet. Seeing at once that the poor creature was very low, perhaps near death, Ethol stepped back to the entrance of the cave, and requested Roger to ride with all speed to summon Dr. Elfenstein to his side. She also requested Lady Claire to remain within call, while she herself would watch over the sufferer until aid should come. •“I think, Roger, you should also acquaint Dr. Elfenstein with the fact that this is no place for so sick a person, and advise with him as to his removal. If removed, it should be done at once, and he may suggest the mode, as well as the place, that can receive him.” Thus charged, Roger tied Ethel’s horse securely, and then rode rapidly away. At once Ethel returned to her selfassumed charge, and endeavored to arouse him from the stupor he was in, in order to ask of his relatives and home. But the effort Was in vain. Alow, incoherent muttering, in which the words “brother”and “saveme,” were mingled, was all she could hear. It seemed a long and weary while to the anxious girls, oefore voices were heard in the distance, announcing the return of Roger, with the physician and others who came to the help of the afflicted and unknown man; but it was really a very speedy arriva'. Dr. Elfenstein was the first to enter the cheerless place, while two men besides Roger followed, ready to bear the sufferer in the’r arms to a wagon quite a distance down the road, beyond the narrow pathway the girls had pushed over on the backs of their gentle horses. The Doctor paused a moment to examine the patleut, but looked very grave as he did so, and whispered to Ethel: “I think we are too late to save him. He will live but a few hours, as death is even now upon him. He must be removed, however, at once, and as I know of no other place, I shall take him to my own house. Strange that he should have lived here alone sb long, as this cave seems to have been inhabited quite a while. ” Taking the wallet in his hand to draw it away, he found it impossible to do so, as the death clutch of the dying fingers upon it was tight and still strong; so, leaving it where it was bn his breast, the Doctor summoned the men, who gently raised the slight form in their arms and boro him forth, followed by the physician and the two girls. Pausing in -haste to assist them to their seats in the saddles, Earle murmured a few polite words to each relative to the case, then hurried after the sad little procession, while the ladies slowly brought up the rear. Soon the poor man was lying on blankets and a soft pillow upon the floor of an easy wagon, while the Doctor sat by his side, carefully fanning away the flies that might annoy, and thus they wended their way back to their homes. A few hours later, in the comfortable guest chamber at the young physician’s home, the poor wayfarer breathed his last, and as the sympathizing physician closed his eyes and straightened his form he drew away the wallet carefully and folded the poor, thin hands upon his breast. Leaving him then in the bold sleep of death, he left the room in order to send for an undertaker to perform' the last offices upon the emaciated corpse. After dispatching a messenger he summoned Mrs. Clum as a witness, and passed to his private office in order to examine the mysterious wallet, that should, he hoped, reveal the secret of the wanderer’s family and home. [to be continued. ]