Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1903 — A DOCTOR’S MISSION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A DOCTOR’S MISSION

BY EMILY THORNTON

Author of “ Roy Russell’s Rule,” “Glenrov,” ‘.‘.The Fashionable Mother*” Etc.

CHAPTER NlL—(Continued.)

. Thrusting the pistol quickly In bls (pocket, the young man sprang towards Ser so suddenly that she could hot depend herself, and clasping her slight form nightly in his strong arms, he lifted her |*t once so the waiting conveyance, placed per in it, then leaping to her side, seized nhe reins, and drove rapidly off, .while the tpoor girl was in almost a fainting condition. from displeasure and fright. , After a few moments of intense stillEess, broken .only by the clatter of the orse's hoofs, as he bounded on, Robert jraed to her with laughing triumph fefo his eyes and exultingly exclaimed: ; “You see. my charming young friend, rthat when I say I will do a thing, I liitend to do it. Now I decided this afternoon to hate you for a companion on |a little drive, and you see I have carried the day, and here you are, seated Itozily by my side, while we are dashing laway in grand style. Confesi now, is pot this just splendid?'* . “It is not. Sir, I thing your conduct pngentlemanly and cruel iu the extreme.’’ 4 —“?NoL at _aH! I l regard tyou as the cruel one, when you declined to favor me with your company. Why * jxou treat me so strangely is an enigma! (You ought* to feel honored to be allowed to ride with so well-known, wealthy and pind-hearted a man.” I . “It is no honor, sir, but a deep insult, to be thus forced to do what is disagreeable.” ‘ “I suppose it would be very disagreepble also to have me kiss you?” "Sir!” was the indignant exclamation Mia: fell upon his ear. ‘ “Weil, disagreeable or not to you, it would be extremely agreeable to me. I *•11 you candidly, I would like to do ft. you are so sweet and beautiful, but 1 will refrain, and deny myself that pleasure, if you perfectly quiet, and Ju it try to enjoy this while you have •he chance. If you do not —if you'make the' least'fuss. 1 vow 1 wIIMb 4f!” Ethel made no reply. She realized (fully that the eccentric individual beside had -her -in-hispower.* -therefore ltc~ pnowledging to herself that it was best jander the circumstances to make no furtoer resistance, she sank back in her seat pnd remained silent and motionless. ' Away they flew over the long and loneP" road, passing brooks, ponds, trees, Eicks, indeed everything bitt houses and ihabitants. During the whole drive not »»ne word more was spoken by either victor or vanquished. Ethel's face was deadly pale, however, Waving the hour that ensued before the pead of the horse was turned homeward, while Robert's was illuminated bv a glow *f intense satisfaction and triumph. * When at length the shades of evening Ihegan to gather, they once more neared {♦ilendenning Hall. Stopping the horse Before they reached the place, in a sheltered and obscure spot. Robert jumped put. then turned to assist Ethel from the • vehicle.

Springing past him to the ground, (Ethel darted away. Breathing a prayer i*f fervent thanksgiving for her safe re[♦urn, when she had once more reached per room, the poor girl brushed away the nears that had relieved her excited feel(Sigs as soon as she had entered, and then (with a sinking dread at her heart at once pepaired to the sick man’s room. , A volley of spiteful, hard words salutl»d her entrance from the irritable inIvalid. and it was some time before she would utter one word inlier own defense. (When at last he gave her an opportunity «o speak she informed him truthfully of jthe outrageous conduct of his wife’s ■cphew. ■-Robert! Did you say Robert did so (insolent a thing? Was he guilty of so fnnp.aedonnWe an act?” exclaimed the astonished baronet. T, "Do not believe her. uncle," immedinteinterposed Belle, who had made it her (business to be present. "What she says Ife utterly false. Ido not doubt but that She spent the time.riding with some eau; but. 1 assure you, it was not with ■ty brother, for he was with me the entire afternoon. She is a wicked girl to tipose such a falsehood upon so sick a an.” As Belle uttered this cruel fabrication jslie glanced spitefully, yet with ill-con-ieealed triumph, towards the amazed lEHhI. who was not at all prepared for •uch an artful and malicious attack. "Sir Reginald, I assure you I speak (only the truth. It was Robert Glendenlaing who forced me into his carriage, and thus detained me against my will.” "You know better." roared Sir Reginald. "1 will never believe it. Ix*ave fltie room instantly. I do not wish to see •your face again until morning.” With a eold. dignified bow Ethel left •st his bidding—left. too. without another sword. knowing well that contradictions (would only enrage and excite the pasmoDate and unjust person l»efore her. < After she had disappeared Belle al-o let once took, her departure, chagrined |shat her uncle had pot instantly dismjjsher rival from his service and house. She did not know that this his lordship would on no account do. as he had intrusted to her keeping a secret which made'her services far too valuable to l>e easily dispensed with. H«*might he enraged. and so dismiss her for a night; bin no fault she might be guilty of would induce him to part with her while all *eot well in the conceals d room. CHAPTER XIII. • The next afternoon. Ethel felt that she Leonid safely start to the village, to wake L few purchase for herself, as at the hunch table Robert had told Lady ConIntlaxßce he should leave home at two that (afternoon to visit a young friend, and (should remain away until noon the next < As she had not ventured beyond the (grounds of the Hall since her arrival, on this afternoon, before, she did past know in which direction the places psf business lay; therefore, seeing Handy Staples, the lodge keeper’s sou, just be- ■

yShd fheptnee,sheMopped andTnffffirM' of him. __ __ “Oh, yes; I can tell you. certainly. Go straight forward, pas* Dr. Elfenstein’s cottage, when you will come to a grove of willows; pass' that, ami, then the railroad track, and about one quarter of a mile beyond, you will see a row. of houses; that is the commencement of the real village, proper, and there you will find several stores.” Thanking the boy, Ethel opened her parasol, for the afternoon was warm and sultry, nnd followed the path pointed out. When she reached the cottage, her eyes wandered over its small flower-bor-dered garden, its pretty vine-covered porch, and open windows, with their bowed blinds, just revealing the dainty, cool-looking, lace curtains within, that wafted back nnd forth, gently, in the faintest of all breezes. “How differently Dr. Elfenstein impresses me, with his manly bearing, his>open countenance, and kindly eyes, even though hi? manners are reserved and quiet, from that vain, egotistical Robert (ilondonning,” she thought. “I eannot understand exactly why I detent that person so thoroughly, nor why I admire the young physician so much. One thing, perhaps, influences me; I always loved usefulness in a man; Dr. Elfenstein labors for the welfare of others; young (Jlendenning is an idle spendthrift, living merely to gratify the pleasures of his own handsome self. One, constantly doing good, the other—l should judge by his looks and acts, evilly disposed, and reckless in all h'u?* ff ays.” While thus thinking she passed the willow grove, and the railroad track, and soon reached the stores, where the purchases were made to her entire satisfaction. Then she retraced her steps, walking slowly, in order more fully to enjoy a cooler breeze that was springing up; but as she neared the railroad she quickened her steps, for she knew that a train was nearly thtK ------ Soon the place was reached, and in stepping over it, to her horror she found the heel of her shoe-fa-rfened Lightly in one of the frogs. With a desperate haste she strove to loosen it; in vain! Every struggle only made it, as it seemed, more firmly wedged. Hark! What was that rumbling? With pallid lips and trembling form, she heard a distant whistle tell of the swiftly coming train. •' ~ In despair, she stooped to unbutton the shoe; but it was a new one, and therefore hard to manage, while her trembling fingers sough t- to unde the fast ening, but - she found them powerless to accomplish the task. On. on came the engine. She could feel the rails vibrate with their motion, and still her foot was fast and she could not move. Then, one wild shriek of terror rang out upon the air. and even before it died away a man's feet came r turning to the spot. “Be calm! I will save you! Do not struggle—stand perfectly Kill!” said a voice in her ear. On came the cars; even then they could be seen in the distance. One moment more and she would be under the fearful wheels; but n strong hand caught the foot, wrenched open the buttons, then, as the hot breath of the engine was almost upon her, she was drawn from the perilous position and knew no more. When she opened her eyes, she was lying on the green grass, a short distance from the spot, while her head reclined upon some gentleman's shoulder, and the same person was gently fanning her with n folded newspaper. Looking up, she met the earnest eyes of Dr. Elfenstein bent upon hers, and saw that he was thus kindly supporting her. “It is all right now. Miss Nevergail. You are safe, and will be yourself in one moment.” he said. “Oh. but that was terrible, terrible!” she murmured, with a shudder, as her eyes closed again, at the mere remembrance. "It was. truly! While I got to you in time, thank heaven, there was not a second to spare!” “Oh, doctor, I can never thank you, •for 1 know now that it was you who saved me!” "Do not try, Miss Nevergail; I will not be thanked. My fright, 1 assure you, was nearly equal to your own.” "How did you get the shoe off?” she asked, at length, as she raised herself from his nrm. and glanced at her foot. "I never can'tell; it was so stiff and tight it took all my strength. But not. since you are better. 1 ' will ree whfct has become of that obstinate little boot.” In a few moments, he smilingly returned with its dilapidated remains in his hand. “You <vill scarcely know your own property,” he remarked, “it is so crushed and torn. The action of the heavy train loosened it. and thus I came off with thy spoil.” “My poor, poor shoe,” said Ethel, a faint smile hovering around her pale lips. “Well, it may better be cru.'ihed than my foot; but, renlly, though scarcely wearable. I must put it on;” and she reached out her hand for the torn object. "Nay. allow me to restore-it so its place.” said the doctor, kneeling beside her. “My ]w»or child, you have scarcely strength enough yet for such a task.” With the greatest tenderness and care, he drew the boot over one of the smallest little feet he, had ever seen supporting a woman, and as he finished buttoning the very few buttons that remained, he arose, and begged her to keep seated until he brought hither his horse and gig, as he told her he should insist upon carrying her home, as she was, he knew, still weak from fright. Looking around. Ethel sate, for the first time, his horse standing quietly by the roadside, a short distance from the track, where he had left him, to rush to her assistance. Bringing the animal and conveyance to her side, Eaftle turned, and before she fairly understood his intention, gathered

her in his arms from the ground, and lifting her into the seat, sprang lightly to her side. ■ J “You must not be startled at my presumption, Miss Netergail Remember physicians have privileges others have not. You are my patient now, and until I see the color re-established; on your lips and cheek, I am in duty bound to care for you. You are not offended?” He bent to gaze into her eyes as he asked the question, and his earnest look brought the tell-tale blood back to her cheeks. “Oh, no, no! That would be ungrateful jndeed!” was_tbe low reply. The ride really revived her, and as the doctor took her quite a roundabout way, in order to- prolong it, assuring her it wbuld be beneficial to do so, she was able to give a natural spring as he held out his hands to assist her to the ground, when at length they drove up to the entrance of Glendenning Hall. There was a happy smile still upon her lips as, after thanking and bidding her kind friend adieu, and, seeing him lift his hat as he drove off, the ran up the piazza steps to pags to her room. But the smile vanished instantly as Belle came forward from behind the heavy screen of vines, and with an angry look in her eyes, exclaimed: “What does this mean? I wish to know if Sir Reginald pays you a salary to ride around the country with young men? I thall inform him of this ride.” “As you please, Miss Glendenning. It certainly is not my intention so keep secret the fact that I have just narrowly escaped death by being crushed by the cars. As Dr. Elfenstein risked his life to drag me from danger, and then employed his skill to bring me from a dreadful swoon, he certainly thought it no harm to restore me wifely to your uncle’s aid as I was too weak from fright to walk.” . Sa saying, Ethel passed on, leaving the nngry, but astonished girl to her own reflections. That these were not of a very pleasant nature, the following whisper gave evidences “It'is always the way. Wish to keep one person away from another, and something is sure to happen to bring them together. One tiring I am determined, however, he shall never marry Ethel Nevergail, if I can possibly prevent it.”

CHAPTER XIV.

Ethel did not entirely recover from the effects of her fright, until after the night’s sleep had served to calm her nerves, and all the evening that followed she was excited and scarcely able so control herself. When she bade the family good night and locked herself into her room, in order to proceed to her nightly task, it was with a dazed feeling, and an aching head. Nerving herself for her duty, however, as well as she coulil, she proceeded to tight'her camlie, and taking the indispensable knife, she passed through the wardrobe and passageway, into the corridor beyond. Possessing herself of the basket of food, she remembered ttfTilsten the door with the iron hook, a precaution the baronet had charged-her always to observe, that by no possibility could she be surprised while accomplishing her task, then passing onward, she opened the panel as >.i sna 1, anil p 1 a ced, the pl ate of food upon the shelves. As she did so she heard distinctly a movement on the other side, which, being rather unusual, for silence aloue ordinarily reigned, startled her already excited nerves so much that she gave the shelves the required shove, and just as they whirled away, she saw, to her horror, when too late to stop them, that she had dropped the -knife from her hand, and it had gone around with the food. Breathlessly she waited for the returg movement, hoping that the creature within would not observe it, aud that it would come back with the plate. As she waited, a singular loud, shrill noise or cry came from within. The next moment the shelves had..revolved, and the plate alone appeared. Appalled with her own carelessness, and fancying she knew not what as the result, the terrified, half frantic girl, could only draw to the panels, with all the expedition pbssible, nnd then hastily return the basket, fasten the door and seek the safety of her own apartment. What was now her duty? Should she immediately seek the baronet, who was probably asleep by this time, and telling him the mishap, ask what was to be doner? —; ——— - No! nhe could not think this course a wise one. The baronet was an exceedingly passionate man. Such a tale, at this hour, would throw him into a whirl of nervous anger that might cause damage to the broken hip, the bones of which, all hoped, had by this time commenced to unite. (To be continued.)