Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 August 1903 — A DOCTOR’S MISSION [ARTICLE]

A DOCTOR’S MISSION

BY EMILY THORNTON

Author of “ Roy Russell's Rule,” “Glenroy,” “The Fashionable Mother,” Etc.

CHAPTER I. la kit unusually pleasant office on Broadway sat Lemuel Gray, a middleaged man ami successful lawyer, in deep thought. In his hand he held a letter, wtdch, after a few moments, he again carefully read. As’ it refers to people •ad events to be mentioned often in the remarkable story about to be related, we lira the contents entire: Yonkers, April 15, 18—. Mr. Lemuel Gray: Dear Sir —It is with great difficulty tkaC I pen the following, -beirtfe very ill, but as the object I have in view by thus addressing you is of great importance, I ‘will write in as few words as possible. You are aware, being my confidential •drircr, that I expected to sail for Europe shortly, in order to attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Sir Arthur Glendenning, in whose fate ] am so deeply interested. I wished to visit, in some disguise, the town where Glendenning Hall is situated, to become acquainted with the present baronet and Lady Constance, his wife, with t the nephew and .niece residkac 'with theim. and to learn something. If possible, about the only sister who married without the consent of her family. and who, therefore, was disowned by scar relatives ns well as a young girl whom it was said they bad- adopted. I desired, also, to make inquiries in regard to the private character of Antoine Duval, the valet of the present Sir Reginald Glendenning, and to study everything that might bear upon the mystery of the case.

I regret to say that my physician declares it impossible for me to undertake, with safety, this journey. What do you thing of my sending thither a substitute? ] have in mind a young physician, Dr. Earle Elfenstein, who resides in your city. I write to ask you to hunt him up lor me. Please make a few inquiries aa to his circumstances, disposition and •bore all, whether he is an energetic and conscientious man. Inform me in regard to these matters •t an early date. If favorable, set a time when you can meet him at my residence and explain to him the peculiar mission I wish him to undertake in,my hehalf. Your presence will be absolutely accessary, as the disease with which I am afflicted forbids my entering into the long explanations that must be given, in order to instruct him in the performance of the work. Yours, etc.. LEON RAPrELYE. To this, a few hones later, the followteg reply was penned: / X. Y\, April 16, 18—. ter. Leon Rappelye: Dear Sir—Upon the receipt of yours of the 15th, I examined the city directory without delay. I find Dr. Elfenstein's address to be 47 Ex ton street. Going at once to the neighborhood, I teamed from a reliable source that the young man has a very small practice, db er finds it difficult to support his widowed mother and himself in comfort. This state of his finances is not due te lack of energy, for he is indefatigable te his efforts to benefit his patients, hut those who apply to him for advice arc, unfortunately, the very poor in the region «f his home. He is an exceedinglyt>onscien:ious and good man, and from all I can learn, just tho one to undertake the important business which you propose, and which I folly approve. I will meet him at your residence, a* the evening of the 18th. It would be woll to send him a telegram to that effect aa soomas you receive this. Yours sincerely, LEMUEL GRAY.

••••*•> It was a dull and dreary the eyes of Dr. Earle Elfenstein rested upon as he drew back the lace, curtains that draped the parlor window of his easy home. His practice was not large and far from lucrative. Times were unusually hard, and his bills for services rendered, poorly paid, so that he had, indeed, a hard struggle to live. This afternoon he was pecu!iarly*cast down, for his mother had reminded him that the month's rent for the fiat in which they resided would he duo in three days, and he kucw he had not one quarter of the amount required. It was no wonder, then, that a sigh •scaped him as he turned to greet the sweet-looking lady about fifty years of age, who entered the room, holding an •avelope in her hand. “Here is a telegram for you, Earle. What can it be?*’ “I cannot say. as I expected none," he ■eplied. opening the missive. “This is singular. I am requested to leave the «lty by the S p. m. train for Y'onkers, tn ace a gentleman, who is nn invalid. «■ a matter of business. His name is l*on Rappelye. a strange name to me.” “What shall you do about it?” asked tea mother, anxiously. “I shall go. of course. The message ••X*. ‘you will be met at the station.’ I fcava just about time to answer a call, •nd meet the train." “What time shall you return?” “It will bo late; 1 know, perhaps not VBttl morning. Good by. little mother. Wteo knows hut this will bring better tetega for a* V” Later, closely protected by a comfort•kte ulster from the heavy rain that was falling, with a train of serious thoughts te tea mind, occasioned by liia poverty. Dr. Elfenstein wended his way to the Orsad Central Depot and entered the wn that would bear him to bis destipaTb. rain was falling in torrents ns the Praia came thundering to the station at gTsakers, and upon stopping, the usu«l fgawd hurried out, and pawing through waiting room to the street beyond, wars toon lost in the gloom. The doc ter Had scarcely a moment to wait, when « private coachman approached, whip in Iwad. sad accosted him. *1 have been sent to meet a gentle teaa from New York named Elfenstein.

“Here is Mr. Gray, Mr. Rappelye, and this is your expected friend, Dr. Elfenstein.” Reaching forth a thin, white hand, the old man smiled feebly, and between struggling breaths managed to say: "I am very glad to ree you.” Taking the emaciated hand in both hi.s, Earle Elfenstein pressed it tenderly, and in a low tone full of feeling responded: “I am jglad I could come to you, but sorry, very sorry to see you so ill;” “You must wonder why I summoned you, an entire stranger, to my side in this unceremonious way, but I have important business to transact. Talking is such an exertion, my lawyer, Mr. Gray, must explain for me my wishes, and why I sent for yon.” These words were uttered at intervals, for his short breathing prevented long sentences, and gently releasing his hand Elfenstein took the reat close beside the bed, while Mr. Gray seated himself iu a business-like way beside the table.

Are you the one?” i “I am." “Then please follow me.” The young man was soon seated In a handsome close carriage. Street after street was traversed, until finally they* turned into the extensive grounds of an elegatit residence. As the young man stepped across the piazza, the large doors were instantly opened by a colored waiter, who motioned him to enter and proceeded to asSikt in removing his overcoat and wet overshoes. Crossing the marble floor of the long hall, he was ushered into a room elegantly appointed., The bright grate fire c;ms£ a cheerful glow around, while the velvet carpet scarcely gave back a footafll. The table was laid for one,, and very soon a sumptuous dinner was rerved, of which he alone partook. Leaving the doctor to enjoy his,solitary meal, we will precede him to the story above, and to the presence of the invalid, whose urgent telegraphic dispatch had brought him to the place. The second story back room was large and commodious, opening into a room beyond, where every luxury abounded, for the comfort of the master. “Has he coine?” These words issued from the pale lips of the sufferer, who was half sitting, half reclining upon the bed. “Has Dr. Elfensteiu come? I thought I heard the carriage.” “You did, and he is here,” returned the nurse and housekeeper. “I thought it best to have him take dinner before you saw him. I presume you have niuefi to say and would prefer not to be interrupted. He will be with you in a few moments now.” “Has my lawyer come?” “Not yet. But the door bell rings. I think that is he.” “Set that rtand with writing materials close by my bed, then go down and show both gentlemen to this room; after which, you can leave us to ourselves until you hear me ring.” Making herself known to the doctor, the nurse introduced him to Mr. Gray, then led the way to the sick man’s presence.

CHAPTER 11.

“Dr. Elfeftstein,” said Mr. Gray, “my client and friend, Mr. Leon Rappelye, is, as you see, extremely ill. Our friend is a lonely man, having no relatives living to whom he wishes to leave his large fortune. He has dictated his last will and testament, and as he desires to sign it before he may be unable to do so, it was necessary for him to see yon personally, previous to placing his name to the document, in which, I may add, you 3»re <Jceply interested.” Earle Elfenstein started as he heard these words, and looked from the lawyer to the invalid beside him. “Y’ou are surprised, naturally.” again resumed Mr. Gray, "and probably wonder what Mr. Rappelye knows of you. I will explain this at once. Your father was George Elfenstein, a well-known banker: in years gone by he did Mr. Itnppelye a never-to-be-forgotten service. His arrival in this country was followed by a long and dangerous illness, when he lay alone among strangers, almost neglected, and he attended to his wants like a brother, untikhe was entirely convalescent. They met often afterward, and then lost sight of each other. Years of silence passed, when accidentally he learned about three mouths since that his benefactor was dead, and his only s<tn was a struggling physician in Xew York. He has heard of your fearless, conscientious mauner of meeting your engagements, and this was a characteristic he particularly wished to find in some young friend. When, therefore, his health entirely failed, ho determined to send for you. and perhaps place his affairs in your hands.”

“Anything that I can do within the range of honor and integrity. 1 shall bo pleased to undertake,” Earle answered. ”\Ve felt So. The case then is this; but, of course, you will "recognize the fact that the history of our friend’s life, which I shall be obliged to unfold to you. is told iu strict confidence. Will you promise to regard that confidence ns a sacred trust, never to be told to another, until all that is now mysterious has been swept away?” ”1 will.” ' "Then l will proceed. Our friend was the youngest sou of Sir Geoffrey Glendenning. residing in a large town near Liverpool. This gentleman had one daughter, who married against his wishes, and three sons. Arthur, who would in case of his death succeed to the title; Reginald, two years younger, and Fitxroy, the .gentleman you see before you. whose severe domestic misfortunes bare been so great that for the last twenty-five years he has been obliged to live in this country, under the assumed name of Rappete*.” “A short time after the death of his parents, for they expired within a few months of each other. #nd after his brother Arthur had come Into possession

of his title, little turmoils arose between the brothers, and seemed to embitter them exceedingly. “Reginald, the second son, had an ugly, morose disposition, that was peculiarly exasperating, and whenever the opportunity occurred he delighted in getting I-'itzrpy into disgrace with the young baronet. “These young men had a very pretty eousiß, in whose society they each took extreme pleasure. Her name was (Constance Leonore Glendenning. It was soon discovered that the affections of the young girl were centered upon Sir Arthur, nud this knowledge was immediately followed by a betrothal. “Riiginnld, being somewhat disappointed that he could not win the fjrize, undertook to report several little interviews of a purely innocent and accidental nature that Fitzroy had with this lady to his brother, casting a very sinister light tipon them, nnd assuring Arthur that Fitzroy was endeavoring to supplant him in her favor. “This artful story infuriated the young nobleman, and caused a very bitter interview. Fitzroy indignantly denied every thought of interference, declaring the truth, that his love for Constance was merely cousinly. This Sir Arthur refused to believe, and they parted in anger, v.Fitzroy exclaiming in a moment of unguarded passion as he left him: “ ‘Very well, think so if it suits you; but, mark me, you shnll yet repent your unjust accusations, and, as I live, shall never repeat this insult.’

“Closing the door as he spoke, he stepped into the hall and stood face to face with Antoine Duval, the valet of his brother Reginald, and from the conscious look he gave him, Fitzroy knew that he had either purposely listened or accidentally heard the unfortunate remark. “The brothers did not meet again that day, but early the next, * Fitzroy was awakened by an unusual tumult. To his horror he wns told that Sir Arthur had disappeared during the night. His bed had been occupied as usual, but he had probably been murdered, or very badly wounded, ns while no traces of his body could be found, evidences of a contert were on every side; — “Blooi? was upon' the bed and floor, the window seat was covered with it, as though he had been dragged through it, and then by means of a rope let down to the ground below. From the grass to an ornamental lake not far distant were irregular patches of the same human gore. Beyond that, nothing was ever discovered! That lake was thoroughly dragged for the body: the grave by theside of it was searched, not a spot being left in which a corpoe could be buried—to no effect.

“But, While stupefied with grief over his brother’s loss, our poor friend was made aware that the finger of suspicion pointed to him with singularly fatal evidences of guilt "A dagger with his name engraved upon the handle was found by the bedside, on the floor, its blade still wet with bfood. Beneath the window seat, caught upon a nail, was a fragment of cloth which, upon search being made, fitted exactly into a rent ia a dressing gown of his, that was found hanging in his own closet. "All he could conclude was that some unknown enemy had struck the fatal blow, and after stealing these articles from his private rooms, had left the dagger purposely upon the floor, and returned the torn and bloody gown to the closet, in order to fasten suspicion upon him, and thus shield themselves. “To make a long story short, in due time the trial took place, and Sir Reginald Glendenning, who liad succeeded to the title, testified to the bitter feeling that had existed between the brothers. He also identified the dagger and dressing gown ns belonging to the prisoner. Antoine Duval testified as fully to the threatening language used to the deceased on the day previous to the murder by his brother. “Tjie trial was quite lengthy, but resulted in his acquittal and discharge from custody. But although freed by law, the popular opinion remained unchanged, and, unable to endure the cold, averted looks of his former friends, he* left his home and embarked for America under an assumed name. __ "Arriving in New York, the strain of grief that he had undergone so told uponhis nervous system that he was laid upon a boil of severe illness. Then it was that your father sought him out and nursed him so tenderly. After his recovery, he resolved to devote himself to business, and thus forget his troubles and misfortunes. (To be continued,)