The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-13
Dr.Ef6lsteil'SMlSSiOD
4 Remarkable Romance.
BY EMILY THORNTON.
CHAPTER III-Continusd.

CHAPTER m-Continusd.
"How that garment came there in that
condition, or how that dagger left the
case in his dressing bureau, ever re-
mained a mystery to Fitzroy Glenden-
ming.
@All he could conclude, after the deep
est study, was that some unknown enc
my had struck the fatal blow, and after
stealing these articles from his private
rooms, had left the dagger purposelv
upon the floor, and returned the torn
and bloody gown to the closet, in order
to fasten suspicion upon him, and thus
shield themselves.
ut did shield them effectually, while
the poor, innocent youth was arrested
and committed to prison on the charge
Of murder.
ITO make long story short, In due
time the trial took place, and Sir Reg
inald GlendeGning, who had succeeded
to the title, testified to the bitter feeling
that had existed between the brothers.
He also identified the dagger and dress
ing-gown as belonging to the prisoner.
"Antoine Duval testified as fully to the
threatening language used to the de-
OCooOO, Ou gaO Noy PASNAooS w s%AS 49, 49,
der by his brother.
@The trial was quite lengthy, but re-
suited in his acQuittal and discharge
from custody.
@But although freed by law, the popu-
lar 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 as
Sumed name.
ARRIVING in New York, the strain OF
grief that he had undergone so told upon
his nervous system that he was laid upon
. bed 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.
Things began to mend with him after
this and business prospered, and before
six years passed away speculation had
60 enriched him that he found himself
the possessor of millions.
"Retiring then to private life, he
bought this place in Yonkers, in order to
enjoy himself in a quiet way. But i'll
health visited him; stroke Of paralysis
rendered one side comparatively help
less, willie the asthma, which he had
been subject to for many years, increased
70 an alarming extent.
%During all this time one wild wish has
been his, and that was to solve the mys-
terry of his brothers fate, and so clear
his own good name Of the unjust suspi-
cions that still clung to it.
@His object was, before this, to have
returned to his native place, in some dis
4uise, and so work unknown toward the
accomplishment Of this desired end.
But his return was effectually pre-
vented by his ill-health and helplessness.
@Lately this wish has become uncon-
Srolable. He prays that he may not
die with this stain still clinging to his
name He has therefore decided to ask
you to undertake the case for him."
"Bet," here interrupted the amazed
listener, "there must be some mistake.
! am no lawyer, simply physician, and
as such, what can do?"
Everything. We think far more than
. lawyer" replied Mr.. Gray. "Of course
you would have to sell your practice in
New York and settle in England There,
rs growing physician, you would gain
the confidence Of the people. You would
be admitted to places where no one else
would, and could study the characters Of
rich and poor.
"Sir Richard Glendenning married, two
years after the disappearance of his
brother, the same lady who was to have
been his bride, Miss Constance, and they
now occupy Glendenning Hall. You will
probably be called to attend their family,
and so can see the room where poor Sir
Arthur met his sad fate, and can study
the location Of the place.
~For all this trouble Mr.. Rappelye, as
we will still call him, will pay you nand-
somely Five thousand per annum shall
be yours as long as he lives, and at his
death you will, II successful, be munifi-
Gently rewarded, as his will. still un-
signed, can testify.
@Are you willing to serve him as he
wishes? Will you undertake the task OF
clearing his gooo name Of the foul asper-
|. sions cast upon it?"
There was long pause, during which
the pale face of the invalid seemed to
grow q shade paler under his eager gaze.
At length the silence was broken by
DR.. Elfenstein, who said, in . calm.
steady tone:
Il will undertake 1t.
@Thank you," murmured the sick man,
rs he reached forth his hand to clasp
that of his visitor. MAY God bless your
efforts"
"Amen." was the low response. II
ain sure He will. A great wre2g has
evidently been done, and 1 bind myself
by q most solemn VOW to endeevor to
right that wrong and restore an honest
uame to an honest man. / solemnly
dedicate myselt 70 your cause to act for
you and let nothing stand in my lawful
way in order to unravel this mystery and
discover the fate Of your unhappy
brother