Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-08-19

Infamous crime was never committed
than the one you, an innocent appearing
young girl, aided and abetted by your
help while in that sin-stained house."
Doctor Elfensteinr' exclaimed Ethel
rising to her feet, surprise and horror
blending together on each of her beauti-
full features, and wonder and dismay
settling in her large hazel eyes; what
is this you are saying to me? If un-
derstand Alright, you are accusing me of
being an accessory to some dark crime
Speak! Did l 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 queenly dignity
reigned in each motion. even though ev-
cry particle of color left both cheek and
lip, 'then, sir, all 1 shall say in reply
IS that you accuse me falsely, and in do
ing so you cease to be my friend!''
But, Miss Nevergail, reflect one mo-
ment. Had I not been your friend I
should wish no explanation. I am your
friend, while 1 desire to be sure of your
innocence. You say, and l rejoice to
hear you affirm it, that you are guiHless.
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
l might, but cannot!''
''Then, Miss Nevergail, 1 shall be
obliged to tell you that all has been dis
covered, and that your horrible secret is
known"
20, thank heaven! Can it be possible!
Please go on, for am anxious to hear
| all you know, but dare not utter one
word" exclaimed Ethel.
You must learn then, that your night
ly 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 free to speak, as no secret will
be revealed by me? Those shelves were
knocked over, and the ape escaped that
night. 1t was his dreadful howl that so
frightened us. Tell me, has the animal
been recaptured, and returned to the
ownerY'
APE? Owner" queried the doctor,
surprise Illuminating each one of his
speaking features. What can you
meanw
''Yes; Sir Reginald said it was a kind
never before seen of that species. He
was keeping it concealed until the owner
returned with other extraordinary curios
tiles, he was abroad collecting. When
he did return, all were to be exhibited.
The fact that he kept its existence a Sc
cret, and made me take a solemn oath
never to reveal it, was certainly no
crime. 1t was absurd, and the absurd
ity sprang from love of money, but in
consenting to preserve the creatures life
by giving him food, during his lord
ships illness, I did it only because he
was nervous, and seemed to worry so
much over its helplessness. I saw moth
ing wrong in it, and as it was not sinful,
| am not ashamed of it,
While she thus spoke, a change, in
deed, came over her listener. Surprise
gave place to hope, hope to joy, and as
the last words were uttered, the doctor
had risen and clasped both her hands in
his, while he exclaimed:
Il see it all now! l have been rash,
harsh and cruel in my Judgment, and
scarcely dare ask you to forgive me- But
1 must be forgiven, or can never rest"
You are forgiven. But let me hear
how this animal was discovered, and also
how he looks? AS fed him so long, and
he frightened me so terribly, 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 Glen
denning concocted an Infamous lie for
your benefit, when he told you that an
animal was concealed in that room. 1t
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 deep
ly at his words. Did l indeed push that
wretched food to a human. being? 1t is
too terrible to believe! 1 cannot endure
the thought
You did; but be calm, for heaven
ordered it to be so. Remember that, and
that through you he obtained knife
which aided him at last to escape"
Never can 1 forget the anxiety felt
after committing what l then thought
terrible blunder. l feared the ape would
kill himself. When he escaped that night |
l knew after few minutes that it was
the supposed animal, and fearing the
discovery of its existence through my
means. l prevented you from examining |
never to reveal his being in life, neither |
the fact of a concealed ROOM
Ethel then went over her whole expe- |
rience while at the hall, to which Earle |
listened with intense interest, ending |
with Sir Reginald's rough usage when |
she was dismissed, TO which he also |
listened with fierce indignation.
When DIR. Elfenstein, in return, told |
his listener that Rev. Edwin G. Stiles |
and Sir Arthur were one, her amaze |
ment knew no bounds. and with breath |
less interest she listened to the whole |
tragic story.
What has been done with the body?"
'It was taken to Glendenning Hall this |
where it lies in state. The ser |
wants all returned, and 1 have loaned |
Mrs. Clum to the place until come back
from America, as while absent my cot
tage will be closed"
"Are Won p,oino tn ieaya Ms doctor y'