Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 128, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1903 — A DOCTOR’S MISSION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A DOCTOR’S MISSION

BY EMILY THORNTON

Author of "Roy Russell’s Rule,” "Glenroy,” "The Fashionable Mother,” Etc.

CHAPTER XXl.—(Continued.) , : "Doctor,” note queried Mr. Lee, “wii4B ' coarse ie next to be pursued?” t "We must so to tbe porter’s lodge, od ! 4bs premises—l think the keeper is still there—get the keys of the hall, and inrestigate the ruined part, with its concealed room. If we find all as here said, we must at once publish the facts, far ; «nd wide. I should also recall the serrants, who probably are still 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.” The gentlemen 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. Elfen stein. Once In the corridor, they hastened to ths end near the tower stairs, and there wide open, exposed to view through still parted panels and displaced jrtielves, lay the concealed room which for twentyfive years had held poor a prisoner, just as the journal had described It. Every link was now perfect! The horrible tale was true! If further confirmatioa was needed, it was at hand, in the shape of the one noCe written by Reginald to his brother, when he had given ldm 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 received notes from the false baronet, in relation to legal matters. Having discovered all that could be done that day. the three gentlemen wended their way from the place, and after returning to their homes for their evening meals, they all decided to meet at the Milage inn, and there make known the contents of the mysterious wallet. CHAPTER XXII. It was the morning after the events related 4a the last chapter had taken place, I that Ethel sat alone in Lady Clair Linwood’s private boudoir, apparently engaged with some pretty fancy work, but in reality more occupied with her own tad thoughts then the needlework. 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 waa even most cast down, How beautiful everything looked to her weary eyes < as she cast them frota 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 tree near by! But this 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, 6he 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 6he could do wns to constantly battle with her own self, and strive to overcome the unfortunate attachment thnt was wearing upon her health and spirits. To-day, the more she resolved to forget this man, the more she studied over kia coldness, the more fondly she remembered him, and told herself It was her own want of frankness and the suspiokms 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 had been to' solemn secrecy, she could not conceive bow she could have acted differently, and she felt convinced that, in order to be true to the trust imposed upon her, she bad 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 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 6lit waf* 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 he sat down: . “I am glad to find you alone, ns my business is important, and concerns no one but ourselves. The footiuau told mo *t the door that the family were absent, and I would find you here." “They are absent for the day, and, therefore, 1 ain at your service.” "The nature of my business, I fear, may startle you, but 1 feel that I ought oot 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 yoor part will bo the beet in the end. Certain things, lately transpiring, have led me to regret axoeedingly that 1 did not use my own lodgment that evening when we were together In the corridor at Glendenning Hall, and eearch for the canoe of our fright I came to talk with you a little ■poo your career while in that house. Had you, as | suppose, any ©special reaeen for not wishing that candle lighted, and a eearch made?” Poor Ethel.' She knew not what course be take now to regain bis esteem. Certainly she could only falter, while a burning blmfc mantled cheek and brow: “I had, but I cannot explain it.” “Are yon ashamed to tell the re aeon?” “Sot ashamed, doctor- Save for what I did under compulsion in the tower, I Imre no aaoM for shame.” “Then you certainly are a very dis-

ferent 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 yon, an innocent appearing young girl, aided and abetted by your help while in that sin-etained house.” “Doctor Elfena(pin!” 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 girl, drawing up her slight figure to its full height, while a r 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 yon 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 friend, while I desire to be sura 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 So tell you that all has been discovered, and that your horrible secret is known.” “0, thank heaven! Can it be possible! Please go on, for I am anxious to hoar 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 hy me? Those shelves were knocked over, and the ape escaped that night. It was his dreadful howl that so frightened ns. Tell mej 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 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 iilnesß, 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.”

While she thus spoke, n change, Indeed, came over her listener. Surprise gave place to hope, hope to joy, and as the last word* were uttered, the doctor had risen and ctesped both her hands in his, while he exclaimed: “I see it all now! I have been rash, harsh and cruel in my judgment, and scarcely dare »«k you to forgive me. But I must be forgiven, or I can never rest.” “You are forgiven. But let me 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 the 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. First, then, let me say you were deceived. The man calling himself Sir Reginald Glendenning concocted an infamous lie for your benefit, when he told you that an animal wns concealed in that room. It was no ape, but his own poor brother, Sir Arthur, whom for twenty-five 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 word*. "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 heaven ordered it to be so. Remember that, and that through you ho obtained a knife, w hich aided him at last to escape.” "Never can I forget the anxiety I felt, after committing wliat I then thought a terrible blunder. I feared the ape would kill himeelf. When he 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 Ming in lif&ncither the fact of a ooncealed room.”jjfaJ Etliel then went over her wtgf£ experience while at the hall, to which Earle listened with intense interest, ending with Sir Reginald’s rough usage when she was cl is ml used, to which he also listened with fierce indignation. When Dr. Elfenstein, in returtf, told his listener that Rev. Edwin C. Stiles nnd Sir Atrthur 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 ail returned, and I have loaned Mrs. Gum to the place nntil I come back from America, ns whila absent my yWttage will b* closed.” “Are yob gdtng 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 Ms clasp. *~ s- s “I must, for a very short time. I alone

know tbe whereabouts of the younger brother Fitzroy, who was so many years regarded as the murderer. This gentleman sent me here to clear ]his name front 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 ijiia home. Poor gentleman! his days are numbered; but with care and attention I feel that be 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 after his health in this, to him, eventful voyage.” ' “Yes, now,” resumed Earle Elfensteinj “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 |>rder 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. Now lam 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 towards him; “is this dear girl to be my darling—my own sweet wife?” For one moment the bowed head rested on his shoulder, then as he met nq 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.” ( . (To be continued.!