Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1891 — Dr. Elfenstein's Mission [ARTICLE]

Dr. Elfenstein's Mission

ft Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

CHAPTER XXXl—Continued. While she thus spoke a change, indeed, came over her listener. Surprise gave place to hope, hope to joy, aud as the last words were uttered the Doctor had risen and clasped both her hands in his, while ho exclaimed: “I see it all now! I have been rash, harsh and cruel in my judgment, and scarcely dare ask you to forgive mo. But I must bo forgiven or I can never rest. ” “You are forgiven. But let mo hear how this animal was discovered and also how he looks. As I fed him so long and he frightened me so terribly, I Should be one of the first to know.” “You shall hear tfle whole story at once. Come to the sofa, dear Ethel, and let me hold your hand in token of peace being fully established between us, and then “1 will a tale unfold, whose lightest word Will harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres. “First, then, let mo say you were deceived. The man culling himself Sir Reginald Glendenning concocted an infamous lie for your benefit when ho told you that an animal was concealed in that room. It was no ape, but his own poor brother, Sir Arthur, whom for twentyfive years he held chained to the floor alone, dead to the world, in that horrible prison.” “Oh, Doctor, Doctor! can this be true?” exclaimed the poor girl, shuddering deeply at his words. “Did I indeed push that wretched food to a human being? It is too terrible to believe. I cannot endure the thought!” “You did; but be calm, for God ordered it to bo so. Remember that, and that through you, He sent him a knife, which aided him, at last, to escape.” “Thank God that I did that! Never can I forget the anxiety I felt, after committing what I then thought a terrible blunder. I feared the ape would kill himself. When ho escaped that night, I knew after a few minutes that it was the supposed animal, and fearing the discovery of Its existence through my means, I prevented you from examining the place. I had taken a solemn vow never to reveal his being in life, neither the fact of a concealed room. ” Ethel then went over her whole experience while at the Hall, to which Earle listened with Intense Interest, ending with Sir Reginald’s rough usage when she was dismissed, to which he also listened with fierce indignation. When Dr. Elfenstefn, In return, told his listener that Rev. Edwin C. Stiles and Sir Arthur were one, her amazement knew no bounds, and with breathless interest she listened to the whole tragic story. “What has been done with the body?” “It was taken to Glendenning Hall this morning, where it lies in state. The servants all returned, and I have loaned Mrs. Clum to the plaee until I come back from America, as while absent my cottage will be closed. ” “Are you going to leave us, Doctor?” murmured his companion, in dismay, as she heard these words, and he felt the hand he still held tremble and grow cold in his clasp. “I must, for a very short time. I alone know the whereabouts of the yoynger brother Birtzoy, who was so many years regarded as the murderer. This gentleman sent me here to clear his name from this foul calumny. To-day I see It unstained, and as he is now the baronet, and a great invalid, I go to bring him back in triumph to his home. Poor gentleman! his days are numbered; but with care and attention I feel that he can reach the home of his boyhood In safety; but there must be no delay. A vessel leaves Liverpool to-morrow, and in it I must take passage, if possible, in order, as a medical man, to look alter his health in this, to him, eventful voyage. ”

CHAPTER XXXII. AN OLD, OI.D STORY. “Yes; now,” resumed Earle Elfenstein. “I have fulfilled my trust, and can carry to him the most blessed news the poor man could hear in this world. Ethel—let me call you Ethel this once—l, too, know what it is to take a solemn vow, for I took one at the bedside of Mr. Rappelye, the name assumed by my employer, to this effect: I would dedicate myself to this cause, and in order to do this I would allow nothing to interfere with this, my work. “Even at the outset I had a temptation to swerve from this promise set before me. It was on the ocean when I saw a sweet young girl alone, with a great sorrow and anxiety. Oh, how I longed to take this young traveler into my arms, and bid her rest in my care, my love. Yes, from the first meeting on the sea I have struggled against a wild and yearning fondness for you, my darling. Now I am free to yield to that blessed feeling, and I thus joyfully avow it, and ask if it meets a return. Speak to me, dearest, * he added, as he passed his arm around her slight form, and drew her tenderly toward him; “is this dear girl to be my darling—my own sweet wife?” For one moment the bowed head rest-

ed bn his shoulder, then, as he met no resistance, it was raised, and kiss after kiss was pressed upon the ripe, red lips that murmured softly: “Yes, your darling; yours forever and ever. ” “Ah, dearest, this repays for all doubts and struggles of the past How hard it was to refrain from tolling my love that eventful night, when you clung to me so closely in your fright Dearest, you loved me then, did you uot?” “Yes, indeed; and long before. I wept bitterly as you left my aunt and myself In Liverpool. I loved you so deeply, even at that time, and with anguish felt that we were then parting forever. But we met again, and then I feared the cruel circumstances in which I was placed would meet only distrust and scorn. Dr. Elfenstein, answer mo solomly,»do you believe all that I have told you, and can you hereafter trust mo fully?” “1 do and can,” murmured the enraptured lover, “and thus seal the words!” Drawing hor again into his arms, he kissed her passionately, saying as ho did so: “My peerless darling, would I noed not leave you. But a very few weeks will reunito us, nevor again to bo parted. As soon as I return, I shall want my wife. Shall 1 have hor?” “Perhaps. But oh, Doctor ” “Nay, dearest; commence again, and call me Earle.” “Yes; Earle, my Earle, will you surely be back by Oct. 5?” “Yes; positively. This is but the last of August; I shall have plenty of time to reach here then. But what is to happen on that date?” “It will bo my twenty-first birthday, and then, as I told you onco, a package is to be opened, and I shall learn my true name, and receive a small sum, enough for my support. Had you forgotten this? Will the uncertainty of my relationships cause any ehango in your feelings? My dear aunt assured me there was nothing to be ashamed of in my family record.” Ethel asked this question with a sudden timidity of feeling, a dread she could scarcely account for. This dread, however, was instantly dispersed by his answer. “Change in my feelings? Nothing but my death can change my love for you! I only hope the news you will learn on that date will Increase your happiness. Whatever it may be, it shall not delay our union one hour, I promise you that; will you promise me the same?” “1 will,” she murmured, “since ours will be a marriage founded on the purest love; no worldly expectations or disappointments shall sever us.” A little while longer the lover lingered, then, as memory pressed hard upon him, his many duties and limited time, ho rose to leave. “Shall I not see you again before you sail, Earle?” asked Ethel, loath to part, now that the time had come. “I fear not. Indeed, I know not. I am obliged to visit a neighboring town to place my patients in the hands of a certain skillful physlcjan there, who, I am told, will come to this place during my absence, as he has just sold his own practice in order to rotire from public duty for the remainder of Ills life. Then by four to-morrow morning I leave here, In order to catch that steamer. You vflll be happy now in the thought of my devoted love and our speedy reunion, will you not, while I am away, my dear Ethel?” “Oh, yes," was the reply, but even as she spoke a soft sigh fluttered from her lips. “Why that sigh? I shall write as soon as I arrive, and you will answer. Wo shall hoar from each other though separated. ” “I know all that, but I fear something may happen on the ocean. “i know those natural fears, but God lives and reigns at sea as well as upon land. And now, my dearest love, my golden-haired darling, ” said ho, opening his arms for a last embrace, “one kiss more, arid then, indeed, I must say farewell and tear myself away.” So, happy In their reciprocated love, they fondly embraced and parted. Little they thought as they each passed from sight what important changes would changes would take place In the fortunes of at least one of them before they met again. Oft what seems A trifle, a mere nothhiK by itself, In some nice situations turns the scale Of fate, and rules the most important actions.

CHAFTER XXXIII. NEW SURPRISES. After Dr. Elfenstein had left the castle, he leaped into his gig with a light step and lighter heart, and, touching his horse with a whip, started off at a rapid pace for a village about fifteen miles distant On the way ho passed the postoffice, and running in asked lor his letters and papers. Among the letters was one from New York, and the black envelope filled him with dismay, as he felt sure it was the forerunner of sorrowful news. Opening it with a trembling hand, he found his worst fears fulfilled. It contained the dreadful news of his mother's death, just two weeks before. Heart disease had again seized a victim. Without the least suspicion that she was the subject of such a malady, she retired one night in cheerful spirits and her usual health, to be found in the morning a cold, breathless corpse. Poor Elfenstein! the shock was to him a terrible one. He had loved his mother tenderly, and was anticipating the greatest pleasure in soon seeing her again, and perhaps Inducing her to accompany him back to his English home Now all was vain. She was dead; and all that remained to tell of her memory was a green place in Greenwood, where they had placed her by the side of her husband. She had been buried over a week; as the August heat was so intense that year, all thought of keeping her body until he could be summoned to the funeral was impracticable, and Earle’s own good sense told him that this was the only wise course to be pursued under the circumstances. Controlling his feelings as best he could, the mourning son resumed his seat and drove onward, resolved, although dazed by the suddenness of this blow, to attend to his duties to the living. even though his own heart bled. We will not follow him upon that ride, which proved successful —a physician of well-known capability being secured to attend to his patients during his absence—nor will we paint the incidents of his voyage, which proved to be short and propitious, but will present him next to our readers when just entering Mr. Rappelye’s troupe at Yonkers. His appearaHce was expected, as he

had telegraphed of his arrival in NeW York and intention of leaving for his residence on the early train. The same elderly colored man-waiter Tony, answered the bell, and when asked after his master's health, replied: “Tol’ble; only tol'ble, massa. To-day ho seems lively agin, but ylsterday he was way down at do rnouf.” “Tell him, then, please, that Dr. Elfenstein has arrived and wishes to see him, if convenient.” Bowing low, with several nimble flourishes, the sable servant Immediately vanished, soon reappearing to conduct the visitor to the room of the Invalid. A bright smile greeted him, and the firm pressure of his hand told that he was truly welcome. Tlio sick man certainly had gained some strength since he had left, for now ho sat beside a window, in a large easy chair, and It was evident that he could, carry on a conversation without the presence and aid of Mr. Gray, his lawyer. After a few polite and friendly remarks, Dr. Elfenstein drew a chair close to his side, and, laying a finger upon his pulse, smilingly said, as ho did so: “l am going to see now, my dear sir, how much nows you ean bear to be told. Do you fool strong enough to a good large amount?” Graspimr Ills hand in one of his thin ones, the poor man answered, eagerly: “Yes, indeed, I do! If you have news that I yoarn to hear it will be better than all the medicines I have swallowed In a lifetimo. Doctor, tell me at once, has the mystery been solved? Is my Innocence established?” “Perfectly established. Your brother • was not murdered, only terribly abused, lie has been found, and died a natural death in my own house.” Clasping his hands together, while largo tears rolled over his pallid cheeks, the innocent brother raisod his eyes to heaven and murmured, reverently: “For this, Thy great mercy, I thank Thee, O God!” A long pause ensued, Elfenstein purposely refraining from saying more until his first agitaton had passed away. Then, as discreetly as possible, pausing every once In awhile, to note the effect on his feeble form and to watch his varying pulse, he slowly told him tho whole story, leaving the roading of tho affecting journal until another day. “Oh, my brother, my poor, dear brother! how terrible must have been his feelings all thoso years of solitude and despair. Doctor, thus yon seo iny own troubles have boon but a speck upon the ocean compared with his.” “Most true; and now, dear sir, you must also be aware that, since both brothers are dead, you have become possessor of tltlo and estate. Allow me tobe the first to congratulate Sir Fltzroy Glendenning.” The old man received the kind pressure of his hand and tonder words, withdeep emotion, then suddenly exclaimed: “And to you, oh, thank Cod, It Is toyou, and you only, I owe this speedy discovery and this groat Joy.” Bowing his head upon his clasped hands he remained thus silent andl thoughtful for several minutes. At length ho broko the spell withi these strange words: “Since God In his great goodness hasthus established my innocence, I am no* longer afraid to own and claim my soin and he need never bo ashamed to call nun father!”

“Have you indeed a son, my dear friend? This, then, will be to him also a joy. I did not understand that you had been married." “I had been secretly married, and my wife, Clara Mowtyoy, who was the orphan daughter of tho lato Presbyterian minister In , a small village about. fifteen miles from shire, caine with me to America unknown to any one, for she had no near relatives. She embarked, I say, with mo, bringing our little boy, aged two years. A fever broKe out on the ship during our long passage, and my darling wife died just two days before we arrived in port. It was after she had been laid away to rest in Greenwood that my sickness came upon me, caused by great grief and trouble, and Mr. Elfenstein came to my relief. “It was to him I solemnly gave my only child, my littlo Earle. I then assumed the name of Rappel ye, not evem his wife knowing of the change.” “Sir, what can you mean? Did I hear aright?” exclaimed Elfenstein, starting forward, pale with surprise, as this singular assertion fell upon his ears. “You dldl My dear son, you did! Youi are my own child and heir, Earle Elfeustein Glendenning, and to you will fallJ at my death my title and my estates. Come to my arms, my dear boy, for It Is twenty-five years since I have held you thoe. "

Clasped then in a close, fond embrace, father and son shed tears together—tears of thankfulness and joy. Thus, whilo Earle Glendenning still’ mourned for the only mother he had* ever known, his mother by adoption, thewoumh so suddenly inflicted, was partially Sealed by the gift of a fond father, over whoso feeble health and declining days lie now had a perfect and tender right to watch and guard. As soon as calmness was restored, the young man again resumed his seat, and, still holding his father’s hand, told him the story of his meeting his sister (whose countenance had reminded him strongly of some person, and now ho saw that it was himself) and her niece on his outward trip: of that sister’s death, and his love for Ethel, and related her trying: history; then told of their engagement, and the daughter he should give him as soon as they returned to their English, home. The old man heard the story of his love and waiting bride with a happy smile, and decided to allow Earle to arrange his business matters as soon as possible, in order to start for the homu of his boyhood on a certain steamer, which was, they found by consulting the papers, to sail in two weeks. |TO BE CONTINUED. J

The words and music of the Marseillaise Hymn are ascribed to Bouget de Lille, or LTsle, a French engineei officer, who, it is said, composed it by request, 1792, to cheer the conscripts at Strasburg. It derived its name from a body of troops from Marseilles'marching into Paris in 1792 playing the tune. This account is doubted (1879). The author was pensioned by Lonis Philippe, 1830. Pbof. Cohn of Breslau, Germany, has found by careful experiment that the heating of damp hay. to a temperature sufficient to combustion is due to a fuogtjs. Learn to believe in your own individuality.