The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06
.Ef6lsteil' Mission
4 Remarkable Romance.
BY EMILY THORNTON
CHAPTER I.
A STRANGE SUMMONS.

CHAPTER I.
STRANGE SUMMONS.
In hi- unusually pleasant Office on
Broadway sat Lemuel Gray, q middle
aged man and successful lawyer, in deep
thought.
In his hand he held letter, which,
after few moments, he again carefully
read.
As it refers to people and events to bo
mentioned often in the remarkable story
about to be related, we give the con-
tents entire:
YoNKERs, April IS, 1885.
Mr.. Lemuel Gray:
, DEAR s1R-lt is with great difficulty that
Ipen the following, being very III, but as the
object have in view by thus addressing
YOU is Of great importance, will write in
rs few words as possible.
You are aware, being my confidential ad-
xiser 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 GlerGenning Hall is situated
to become acquainted with the present bar
onet ard Lady Constance, his wife, with the
aephew and niece residing with them, and to
learn something, II possible, about the only
sister who married without the consent OF
her family, and who, therefore, was dis
owned by her relatives. as well as young
girl whom It was said they had adopted.
desired, also, to make inquiries in re-
gard to the private character OF Antoine
Duval, the valet OF. the present Sir
Reginald Glcndenning, and 10 study every
thing that might bear upon the mystery OF
the case.
regret to say that my physician decleSes
1t impossible for me 10 undertake, with
safety, this Journey.
What do you think Of my sending thither
a substituted have in mind young ply
sician, DR.. Earle Elfenstein, who resides in
your city. cannot tell you his address, as
he moved to o new residence last May.
write to ask you to hunt him up for me.
Please make few inquiries as 10 his Or
cumstances, disposition, and above ALL
whether he is an energetic and conscien-
tious man.
Inform me in regard to these matters at
an early date. If favorable. and the plan
meets your approval, set time when you
can meet him at my residence and explain
to him the peculiar mission wish him to
undertake in my behalf. Your presence
will be absolutely necessary, as the disease
with which l am aGeicted fcrbids my en-
tcrirg into the long explanations that must
be given In ordor 10 instruct him IN the per-
formance Of the work, should he agree to
undertaeeit.
Please attend TO this at once and oblige,
yours. ETC., LEON RAPPELYs.
To this, few bours later, the follow
ing reply was penned:
Mr.. Leon Rappelye:
DEAR SIR-Upoa the receipt Of yours Of
the 18th, examined. the "City Directory"
without delay. fnd'Dr. Elfenstein's ad-
dress to be ~ EIton street.
Going at once to the ncighborhood,
learned from reliable source that the
foro finds it difficult to support his widowed
mother and himself in comfort.
This state Of his fpances is not due to
lack of energy, for he is indcfatisable In
his efforts 10 benefit his patients, but
those who apply TO him FOR advice are, un-
fortunately, the very poor in the region OF
his homo.
lie Is an exceedingly conscientious and
good man, and, from all ! can learn, just
the one to undertake tho important busi-
ness which you propose, and which / fully
approve.
will meet him at your residence on the
the evening OF the 18th. II would be we'll
to send him q telegram to that effect as
soop as you receive this. Yours sincerely,
LEMUEL GRAY.
1t was q dull and dreary picture that
the eyes Of DR.. Earle Elfenstein rested
npon, as he drew back the lace curtains
that drapcd the parlor window OF his
cosy 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
nard struggle to live.
This afternoon he was peculiarly cast
down, fer his mother (who, since his
fathers death four years before, had
been obliged to look 10 him for support)
had reminded him that the months rent
for the fat in which they resided would
be due in three days, and he kuew he
had rot one quarter oi the amount re-
uuired, ner much faith in MS ability to
collect ono of the many bills due.
1t Is no wonder, then, that q sigh es-
capped him, as 'ho :arEed TO greet the
sEeet-looking lady about fifty years OF
age who entered tie room. boid!ug Ill
eDvalcpe in her hand.
"lIclc IS a telegram for you. Earle.
What tam it be-"
~ cannot say. rs expected :cne." he
Sp -. AA'S -
singular. I sn requested TO leave the
city by tho p. III. train fer Icnkers, tc
sos Il gentleman, VINO is all iu"alid, or q
matter oi business His name is Leon
Iappclyc, .;trange aalne &c nc"
"Wlat sha!i yoa DO about it," asked
tho mother, GnX:o;.siy.
az shall go, OF course. The message
says. you will be met at the station
have just about time to answer call
snd meet the train"
"What time shall you return?"
alt will be late, know; perhaps not
until morning, but if possible vii! re-
turn tonight. Good-by. little mother.
Who knows but this will bring better
things for u.s."
Later, closely protected by a comfort
able ulster from the heavy rain that was
falling, with a train Of serious thoughts
I'm his mind, occasioned by his poverty,
DIR. Effenstcin wendcd his way to the
Grand Central Depot, and entered the
cars that would bear him to his des'