Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 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 V. —(Continued.) The life of a physician is certainly a •ery unsettled and unsatisfactory one. Xo sooner, therefore, had Earle Elfenetein Ktired to his library, after his lonely supper, and become deeply interested in a hook, that a severe thunder shower* now tteadily speeding toward them, ushered In, by muttered thunder, and zig-zag lightning, than rat tat-tat, came at the door, and a call for services about two Miles'off. “Well,” he thought, as he vaulted open his faithful horse Sultan, “I can, perhaps, have a view of his ghostship on our •way back, if we hasten.” He touched his horse and sped off in the darkness. Before reaching the home •f his patient, the storm was indeed over him. He lingered fully an hour, hoping it would abate, bu* instead, its fury seem•d to increase with every breath. His patient had fallen info a quiet 6leep, and he was anxious to be off. Donning his rubber coat, •with its protecting hood well drawn over his hat, he started homeward. Pitchy darkness he encountered all the ■way, relieved only by the vivid flashes of Bghtning that darted hither and thither, •Ter the inky sky, while the wind, eerie Ike, soughed through the tall trees of the grounds surrounding Glendenning Hall; then, seeming to gather force with each toll, broke loose again into fury, lashing, and thrashing the branches in a fearful Manner. Suddenly a brilliant flash of lightning •aused his horse to shy to one side, while a crash of thunder almost appalled him. Raising his eyes instinctively towards the sky, they fell by accident upon the windows of the Haunted Tower.

What terrific spectacle was this that vet his eyes? The words of the boy were fully confirmed; the most horrid creature fancy eould picture was surely dancing just within the tower in full, plain view. A hideous figure was jumpiug up and down, amid a glare of what seemed sulphurous fight, while every now and then it sank down only to reappear, going through the same wild motions and capers, each sue appalling enough to strike terror to the hearts of the superstitious beholder. But Dr. Elfeirstein was by no means • superstitious man. Ghosts, goblins, specters, all were to him mere vagaries •f a crazed brain. Therefore, while startled and horrified for one moment by this singular apparition, the next, he coolly reined in nis horse, and thus stood still, calmly contemplating the scene. Wtiile still sitting there upou the back •f his horse, lost in conjecture, the demoniacal hobgoblin, apparition, or whatever t£e evil genius of the Haunted Tower might be called, dropped from sight; the strange, lurid light disappeared; darkness reigned over the place, except ns revealed by the lightning Hashes, and the puzzled but undaunted was free to urge his horse onward once more towards the peaceful s>"ttage that fie called his home. tytee ttithin the cheerful shelter of the Ibrary, h’e seated himself beside the table. drew nearer the wax candles, aud again took up his hook to read another chapter before retiring for the night. But fie soon found that reading was impossi- ! file, for ever before the page flitted the impish figure lie had seen, with its horns, its flaming eyes aud hideous coutortious. dosing the hook then he leaned his head' •gainst the tall back of his chair, and thought long and deeply. At the close «f bis cogitations, ns he laid himself down upon his !>ed for,the night, one reault alone was reached, namaly: “There had Ween a murder committed years before within Glendenning Hall, 'and the murderer was still unknown aud •at large. For some unaccountable reason the tower was made to appear isl tfie possession of evil spirits by some parties, also unknown.” , In bis soul Dr. Elfctistein believed the dreadful' apparition he had himself witnessed that night was'the work of some -tricked jierson. wrought oat. probably, to fieep up ; the superstitions notßriety such « mystery would briug upon a place. Finding sleep impossible, the doctor «gain arose and, drawing aside the curtain from the window, gazed forth into llie night. But while the, - storm rtlll raged furiously, and the sky jams shrouded by an inky pall, do light ap.peared from the direction of the hall to rjrfitsper forebodingly of the specter of Ofcs tower. Tbo young physician soon found himpeif pursuing another and an entirely dif<wt train of thought. This time the ptsra passing before his eyes was transferred to the wildly lashed and foaming Mllows of tbo sea. His peaceful home

had changed to the cabin of an ocean steamer, and she goblin of night into the graceful form of Ethel Nevcrgail, his lovely fellow passenger of a few weeks before. Ah, beautiful, lost Ethel! How he longed to see her, to speak to her, to be near her, but he knew that for him such a pleasure would never again be, so with a weary sigh he dropped the curtain and turned to his pillow, but not to sleep even, but to toss around, and strive in vain to banish from his miud thoughts of the girl who had unconsciously succeeded in leaving so indelible an impression upon his heart. CHAPTER VI. We left Sir Reginald Glendenning dashing in a wild and furious way, while in a fit of vexation, down the ramble or carriage way leading from the IJaH. The horse he sat upon was almost a colt, very wild and fiery, and as he had not been ridden for several days was particularly spirited on this memorable morning. The pathway over which they almost flew was -very beautiful, surrounded on either side by grand old trees, whose soft boughs meeting, made a perfect canopy of green above, through which flecks of bright blue sky might be seen, and through which also, rare slants of sunshine glinted, falling on drops of dew that lay upon the nodding grasses, upon little clumps of flowers, whose cups lay open, ever turning skyward for a fresh supply of light or moisture. But Sir Reginald saw not, and cared not for the beauty that lay so ravishingly around him. He had received an unwelcome letter, one presenting to him a duty,

which he meant not to and now he was sullen, morose and angry. On, on they flew, past fountain, statuary, groves and hedge.!, until they bounded by the porter's lodge, and dashed into the open road away, away. Suddenly a large dog roused from a drowsy momig ap by the heedless clatter of the horse's hoofs, sprang from a doorway almost to the flanks cf the startled animal, barking aavageiy as he did so. The suddenness of his appearing proved too much for the nervous organization of young Tempest, who, at the sight and sound, gave such a sharp, quick, sideward jump that he dashed his rider from the saddle, and pitched him over his head, exactly upon a pile of stones that had been left by the roadside for removal, where he lay in a moaning heap. While the horse paused not in his mad courre, banian eyes saw the misfortune, and kind 'human hands went to the assistance of the wounded baronet. The slightest touch created the deepest agony, but that he must be carried home was evident to all, therefore a litter was easily constructed, aud with as much tenderness as possible the sufferer was softly raised, placed upon it, and so taken to the Hall, to which a messenger had been sent ahead with the news, while another had rushed off for the doctor. By the time the sad procession had reached the grounds of the Dr. Elfenstein was on hand, ready to superintend their entrance, and to manage their progress up the stairs to his bed chamber. After a thorough and careful investigation, which caused great ungujsh, made evident by groans, mingled with curses, the doctor hastened to reply to an impatient demand, to know the exact truth. “I am happy to inform your lordship th:\t the iujuries, while severe, are not necessarily fatal.” was the honest reply. “Shall I soon be over them?" was the next question that issued anxiously from the pale lips of the sufferer. "You will not, I aiu grieved to inform you. Your hip is so injured tha.t you will be helpless for weeks, nay, months, while your spine also has received a terrible wrench.” "Doctor, 1 cannot lie here a single night; I must get up, and go around my house,” returned the patient in great excitement, striving to raise himself in vain, while great drops of perspiration gathered upon his pale brow. _ "You see yourself, that It, is impossi ble. You must obey orders, and lie perfectly quiet. If you ever expect to walk again." ' ' "I tell you I cannot lie here," shouted Che sufferer, in the greatest agony of mind. “You don’t know 'wliat you say when you demand it. I must, 1 will be around by night. It Is of tittfl importance." "I cannot help It The dealings of Providence are mysterious, bat also are

inevitable. Your iiip is broken; your spine is injured, and you are a prisoner for months,” was the doctor's serious but firm reply. ‘•doctor, answer me one question, and, at you? peril, answer truly. Is thero danger of delirium? Will my miud givs way under this awful pain?” “I think not. Your constitution is a good one, and your nervous system not at all shattered; but of course I do not say for a certainty, as these things a:f btyond a physician’s knowledge.” “If there is the least danger of that within twenty-four hours I must know it, as I have business of vital importance to transact,” “There is no danger within that time, rest assured; so try and calm yourself, for the sake of your frieuds,” returned the doctor. Sir Reginald was silent a moment; then hiti eyes rested half inquiringly upon his weeping wife and niece, then fixed themselves, as if in deep study, upon the face of his nephew, while bitter sighs escaped his white, trembling lips. “Drink this, my dear sir, and it will, I hope, relieve you,” said the doctor at last, advancing to his Bide with some liquid medicine in a glass. “Answer, first, will it deaden thought? If it will I cannot swallow it, as f have a terrible problem to be solved before my mind can rest,” was the strange reply. “Drink it. It may soothe pain, but, I assure you, not prevent reflection.” So the trembling baronet swallowed the potion, and then became silent and thoughtful. Dr. Elfenstein waited until he saw his patient calmed and more pliable, then proceeded to replace the bone of the broken hip and arrange the sufferer in the position most important for the success of his surgery. After giving explicit directions to Lady and Mrs, Fredon, an old family nurse, for his farther treatment, he withdrew, promising to return by evening. Xo sooner had the door closed upon his retiring form than Sir Reginald ordered every, soul to leave the room except Lady Constance, merely explaining to tfie wondering ones that he must consult his, wife upon a matter of importance. “Constance,” said he, when he saw that his order had been obeyed and that they were alone. ‘‘Go to my library and get me from the locked drawer of my bookcase, a letter which lies upon the very top. The key you will find in my vest pocket.” Lady Constance instantly did as he directed, and the letter from his dead sister was once more in his hand. This time he read it in a different mood. Instead of anger, one could -see intense satisfaction in his eager eyes. “Now, I will tell you the request made of me in this letter,” and he repeated to her the words read by liis niece and wphew, its they iteulthUy possessed themselves of itsh contents. “This girl needs a home for a few months. I need some private assistance, and you need some person to aid you and the nurse in taking care of me, or at least, in amusing me. If this Ethel is willing to do as I wish, I will pay her for her services well, and thus my sister's desires will be carried out. What say you to the arrangement?" *T nin perfectly- wiiiing to acquiesce ,Ln- what yon think best,” was the meek reply of the wife. "Then give me a paper and pencil twhile I writes a telegraphic dispatch. “There,” said he, handing her the following message, addressed to the person alluded to; “Sir Glendenning is ill. You can be useful here if you wish, so come instantly. Answer. Will be met at station.” “Call the coachman; tell him to take Jerry and go with all speed to the office and see that this is sent at once. Have hint wait for an answer.” A short fime elapsed only, when Matthow returned with this message: “I will come to you on the four o’clock train.” A few words concisely written, but on theni hung a long train of terrible events that the movements of the dread futura could alone unfold. (To be continued.)