Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1891 — Dr. Elfenstein's Mission [ARTICLE]

Dr. Elfenstein's Mission

fl Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

■CHAPTER XXX. SEARCHING THE RUINS. This, then, was the end of it alii The wayfaring man, dead, in his upper room, -was not the Rev. Edwin C. Stiles, but Sir Arthur 'Glemdennimg, the lost baronet. Lost! Yes, indeed, lost to his friends, but not murdered. And Dr. Elfenstein felt a thrill of joy pass over him as the most thought came. His employer was now Sir Fitzroy Glendenning, and be was entirely cleared of ithe heinous crime with which he had so long heen charged. He was ready to be received joyfully back to his own estate and home. Yes, his summons could bring him, for he alone knew where he resided. He should start for New York immediately, and accompany and care for him on his return voyage. Then another thought came—a thought that made his heart throb tumultuously —rand that thought was this: His pledge had been fulfilled! Sir Fitzroy’s name was cleared, and now he was free to woo and wed the girl of his choice. But as gladly as his heart had throbbed one moment before, so suddenly had it sunk again, like lead in his bosom Was this girl—this one girl that he so devotedly loved —worthy? Had she .a knowledge of that hidden crime? Was her hand the one that nightly opened those panels and shoved in that repulsive food to a human being—a peer of the English realm? Again, with a smothered groan, he felt that it was she! He remembered her wild entreaty that he should neither light a candle nor search that corridor on that dreadful night. And he had been fool enough to listen to her pleadings. Yes! He was convinced that she had aided the inhuman brother in carrying out hie wicked purposes! But again, he thrust away the idea; and at last resolved to see this girl, just once more, accuse her of being an accessory to this foul wrong, and then hear her reasons for so doing. Possibly there might be some extenuating circumstances, some unexplained reason why she had lent herself to this purpose. Possibly it was to release him in the end by giving him the knifel. She certainly had placed this method of escape in his hands. Perhaps, made her the instrument of bfk' final release for His own purposes. He would think so, until she had an opportunity given her for a full avowal or explanation. If her own story proved that she willingly aided this human fiend in carrying out his sinful designs, then he would think of her no more forever. But, if she convinced him she was innocent? A wild heart tumult, within, finished the sentence. Banishing all these thoughts for the present, the young physician turned his attention again to his friends, and became interested when they exclaimed, all together: “There is not one doubt of his beinj? Sir Arthur! Bat how strange that no one recognized him!” “Not at all,” returned the Doctor, “as I understand it, for I have heard a description of the supposed murdered man many, many times, as he was twentyfive years ago—a robust, black-haired, beardless young gentleman. Now he was a thin man, with snow-white hair and a long, snow-white, full beard. His attire then was that of a gay, fashionable denizen of the world; lately we saw him in the long, strait-cut, black broadcloth coat usually worn by clergymen. So you plainly sec, my friends, everything tended to change his whole appearance. ” course is next to be pursued?” “We must, early to-morrow, go to the porter’s lodge on the premises—J think the keeper is still there—get the keys of the Hall and investigate the ruined part with its concealed room. If we find all as here said, we must at once publish the facts far and wide. I should also recall the servants, who probably still are near, and reopen the house, and from his own home bury the real baronet. All these years a false baron has reigned in his stead. ” “Poor Sir Arthur! Yet what nobility of soul, what pure Christian principles actuated that last resolve never to expose the usurper. His was a grandly unselfish and loving heart," remarked the minister, “and such self-denial and devotion we rarely meet. ” “Very true,” was the reply of nearly all present. Then the lawyer made a proposition, which was to visit the place at once; “Could we not enter the ruins without being seen?” “Yes, I am quite certain we can.” Dr. Elfenstein replied. “I scarcely think it has been entered since the poor nrisoner

escaped, as the guilty party alone knew of its existence; airdLl judge, dared not send any person to close the place. We have time to go a*d return before dark. Come, let us start. ” All the gentlemen arose as lie thus acquiesced in the plan, and silently wended their way to the now deserted Hall. They did not take the front entrance to the grounds, but gained it by a shorter route, emerging at the rear of the house, and so passing unseen to the # clump of bushes, behind which was the entrance previously used by Dr. Elfenstein. The stone he then found replaced, and the opening, therefore, scarcely perceptible. This we explain to our readers, although Earle could not understand it. *The person who nightly brought the food in a basket, came after the escape had been made, to find the one placed there the night previous gone. Ethel had not returned it. Leaving the one he had in its place, a second visit found that undisturbed. Twice this happened, then the man asked to see Sir Reginald. He was received alone, and told to replace the stone and cease his labors, as no more food was required. After receiving a large reward tor past faithful labors the man departed, never having known at all for what purpose the food had been required. Rolling away the stone, Dr. Elfenstein crept through into the passageway or hall, followed by his two companions. Crossing this place, they found the door leading into the corridor wide open, as it had beeu left the night of that terrible fright. Once in the corridor, they hastened to the end near the tower-stairs, and there, wide open, exposed to view through still parted panels and displaced shelves, lay the concealed room which for twenty-five years had held poor Sir Arthur a prisoner, now empty, and oh, so mournful when seen in the light of this fearful crime committed against an elder brother by one so long known in theircommunity as Sir Reginald Glendenning. Yes, here it all was, just as the journal had described it.

A good-sized bedroom, well furnished, soft bed, center table, large bookbase full of a quantity of well-selected books, and opening into a back room, with necessary toilet appurtenances. But the most terrible proof of all was a staple driven in the wall, with a long chain attached, from which the poor man, now dead, had cut himself loose. Then there lay the iron shelves that had so long revolved, bringing the daily allowance of disgusting food, how disgusting could be seen, as a large dish of it stood on a shelf in one of the closets. Every link was now perfect. The horrible tale was true, If further confirmation was needed it was at hand,in the shape of the one note written by Reginald to his brother, when he had' given him pen, ink, and paper, at his earnest request. This note fell from a book that Mr. Lee picked from the table. Lawyer Huntley knew the writing at once, as he had often deceived notes from the false baronet, in relation to legal matters. Everything was examined, and everything was found to be exactly as described in the journal. Then the Doctor related his experience on the night of the escape, and after telling of his discoveries in “The Haunted Tower” he led his friends up to the scene of that stupendous fraud. Astonishment and indignation blended in the explanations that again broke from each lip, as they saw the frightfullooking figure, and all the colored lights, with their workings, used so long and so successfully to operate upon the fears of a whole community. Turning away then with disgust from the spot, Elfenstein led them back, and endeavored to open the door leading to the wardrobe in Ethel’s former room, but he found it as he feared, securely bolted within. The same fastenings debarred entrance into the baronet’s room. Having discovered all that could be done that day, the three gentleman wended their way from the place, and after returning to their homes for their evening meal, they all decided to meet at the village inn, and there make known the contents of the mysterious wallet. CHAPTER XXXI. A PAINFUL INTERVIEW. It was the morning after the events related in the last chapter had taken place, that Ethel sat alone in Lady Claire Linwood’s private boudoir, apparently engaged with some pretty fancy work, but in reality more occupied with her own sad thoughts than the needle work. Her grace the Duchess of Westmoreland and Lady Claire had accepted an invitation from their agent, Mr. Bradley, to visit an estate he had recently added to their possessions, quite a long distance from the castle. In order to thoroughly examine it, they expected to occupy the entire day, and as Ethel had quite a headache, she declined accompanying them. Seated by the broad open window, she watched the little party as they drove away, then resumed her own thoughts and work. She was really giad to be alone this day; glad to rest from teaching, even while she liked her daily occupations. Her heart had been very sorrowful ever since she entered this charming home. Her dejection was caused entirely by the coldness which had arisen between herself and the young physician she had learned to love.

During the weeks she had been in this place everything had been done to promote her happiness. She was ever treated with the greatest kindness, and by Lady Claire with true affection. She had entered into all her pupil’s pleasures with seeming sympathy when her soul was even most cast down. To-day occupation was irksome. Her mind rebelled from study and the schoolbooks, and, as I said, the holiday was to her a welcome relief. How beautiful everything looked to her weary eyes as she cast them from the window! How full the air was of fragrance, from flowers and bush, and how merrily a starling was singing from the branches of an old elm near by! But its innocent glee awoke no answering echo in her own heart; there all was desolation and sorrow. She felt so lonely in this her youth—no mother, aunt, relative near in whom to find sympathy and love. Yes, she was utterly alone, and would be until claimed by an unknown father; and when she might be cheered by the love of one true heart, her misfortunes had alienated its respect, and all she could do was to constantly battle with her own self, and strive to overcome the unfortunate attachment that was wearing upon her health and spirits. To-day, the more she resolved to forget

this man. the more she studied over hfs coldness,, the more she fondly remembered him, and told herself that It was her own want of frankness, and the suspicious circumstances in which he had found her placed that had shaken his confidence in her integrity, and merited only his scorn. But, bound as she bad been to solemn secrecy, she could not conceive how she could have acted differently, and she felt convinced that, In order to be true to the trust imposed upon her, she had done no wrong. ' So deep had been her reverie that she heard no bell, no opening door, no sound, and not until the words, “Miss Nevergail, I hope I do not interrupt you,” fell upon her ear, did she, dream that she was not alone! Starting to her feet, she turned to face Dr. Elfenstein. She would have extended her hand and welcomed him joyfully, but his grave, almost stern, looks deterred her, and, as' he offered no further greeting, she merely assured him she was perfectly at leisure, and then wheeled up a large easy-chair for his use. Not noticing the latter, however, the Doctor took a lighter one, and, placing it opposite the one she had resumed, said, as ho sat down: “I am glad to find you alone, as my business is important, and concerns no one but ourselves. The footman told me at the door that the family were absent, and I would find yon here.” “They are absent for the day, and, therefore, I am at your service. ” “The nature of my business, I fear, may startle you, but I feel that I ought not to forego it on that account I shall be obliged to ask you several questions that you may dislike to answer, but, Miss Nevergail, allow me to say, as a preface, that perfect frankness on your part will be the best in the end.” . The young man paused for a moment, then pitying her evident confusion he went on:

“Certain things, lately transpiring, have led me to regret exceedingly that I did not use my own judgment that evening, when we were together in the corridor at Glendenning Hall, ancT search for the cause of our fright. I should certainly have done so had you not seemed so decidedly to oppose it. I came to talk with you a little upon your career while in that house. Had you, as I suppose, any especial reason for not wishing that candle lighted, and a search made?” Poor Ethel! She knew not what course to take now to regain his esteem. Certainly she could only falter, while a burning blush mantled cheek and brow: “I had, but I cannot explain it!” “Are you ashamed to tell the reason’” Raising her eyes instantly to his she was dismayed at the stern gaze fixed upon her own. But she answered, even while she trembled. “Not ashamed, Doctor. Save for what I did under compulsion in the tower, I have no cause for shame. ” “Then, you certainly are a very different person from the one I took you to be,” was the cold reply. “Miss Nevergail, allow me to tell you that a more infamous crime was never committed than the one you, an innocentappearing young girl, aided and abetted by your help while in that sin-stained housei ” “Doctor Effenstein!” exclaimed Ethel, rising to her feet, surprise and horror blending together on each of her beautiful features, and wonder and dismay settling in her large, hazel eyes; “what is this you are saying to me? If I understand aright, you are accusing me of being an accessory to some dark crime! Speak! Did I understand you to mean this?” “You surely did.” “Then, sir,” returned the indignant drawing up her Slight figure to its 'full height, while a queenly dignity reigned in each motion, even though every particle of color left both cheek and lip, “then, sir, all I shall say in reply is that you accuse me falsely, and in doing so you cease to be my friend!” “But, Miss Nevergail, reflect one moment. Had I not been your friend I should wish no explanation. I am your friepd, while I desire to be sure of your innocence. You say, and I rejoice to hear you affirm it, that you are guiltless. Will you not relieve my mind of these doubts by telling me frankly the nature of your occupation while at the Hall?"

Clasping her hands together in anguish, the poor girl only answered; “Would that I might, but I cannot!” “Then, Miss Nevergail, I shall be obliged to tell you that all has been discovered. and that your horrible secret is known.” “O, thank God! Can it be possible! Please go on, for I am anxious to hear all you know, but dare not utter one word!* exclaimed Ethel. “You must learn • then, that your nightly work was to carry food to a certain concealed room, place it upon revolving shelves, and ” “Doctor, you do indeed know all; then now am I free to speak, as no secret will be revealed by me? Those shelves were knocked over, and the ape escaped that night. It was his dreadful howl that so frightened us. Tell me, has the animal been recaptured, and returned to the owner?” “Ape? Owner?” queried the Doctor, surprise illuminating each one of his speaking features. “What can you mean?” “Yes; Sir Reginald said it was a kind never before seen of that species. He was keeping it concealed, until the owner returned with other extraordinary curiosities, he was abroad collecting. When he did return, all were to be exhibited. The fact that he kept its existence a secret, and made me take a solemn oath, never to reveal it, was certainly no crime. It was absurd, and the absurdity sprang from a love of money, but in consenting to preserve the creature’s life by giving him food, during his lordship’s 'illness, I did it. only because he was nervous, and seemed to worry so much over its helplessness. I saw nothing wrong in It, and as it was not sinful, I am not ashamed of -it ” [TO BE CONTINUED.)