The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-09-24
CHAPTER XXII.

After DR.. Elfenstein had left the cas-
tie he leaped into his gig with a light
step and lighter heart, and, touching his
horse with whip, started off at a rapid
pace for village about fifteen moles
distant. On the way he passed the post
office, and running in asked for his letters
and papers.
Among the letters was one from New
York, and the black envelope filled him
with dismay, as he felt sure it was the
forerunner of sorrowful news. Opening
it with a trembling hand, he found his
worst fears fulfilled. 1t contained the
dreadful news of his mothers death, just
two weeks before.
Poor Elfenstein, the shock was to him
a terrible one. He had loved his mother
tenderly, and was anticipating the great
est pleasure in soon seeing her again,
and perhaps inducing her to accompany
him back TO his English home Now all
was vain.
Controlling his feelings as best he
could, the mourning son resumed his seat
and drove onward, resolved, although
dazed by the suddenness of this blow, to
attend to his duties 10 the living, even
though his own neart Died.
We will not follow him upon that ride,
which proved successful-a physician of
well-known capability being secured to
attend to his patients during his absence
nor will we paint the incidents of his
voyage, which proved to be short and
propitious, but will present him next to
our readers when just entering Mr.. Rap
pelye's house at Yonkers. His appear
ance was expected, as he had telegraph
ed of his arrival in New York, and
intention of leaving for his residence on
the early train.
A bright smile greeted him, and the
firm pressure of his hand told that he
VAS truly welcome. The sick man GER
tainly had gained some strength since he
had left. for now he sat beside a win
dow, in large easy chair, and it was
evident that he could carry on a CONVEX
sation without the presence and aid of
Mr.. Gray, his lawyer.
After few polite and friendly re-
marks, Dr. Elfenstein drew a chair close
TO his side, and laying a finger upon his
pulse, smlhngly said, as he did so:
Il am going to see now, my dear sir,
how much news you can bear to be told.
Do you feel strong enough to bear good
large amount"
Grasping his hand In one of his thin
ones, the poor man answered, eagerly:
Yes, indeed l do! If you have news
that i yearn to hear, it will be better
than all the medicines have swallowed
In a lifetime. Doctor, tell me at once.
has the mystery been solved? Is my in
nocence establishedT'
Perfectly established. Your brother
was not murdered, only terribly abused
He has been found, and died a natural
death in my own house."
Clasping his hands together. while
large tears rolled over his pallid cheeks,
the innocent brother raised his eyes 10
heaven, and murmured, reverently:
"For this, Thy great mercy, l thank
Thee, 0 Godw
A long pause ensued. Elfenstein pur,
posely refraining from saying more, until
his first agitation had passed away
Then, as discreetly as possible, pausins
every once in awhile to note the effect or
his feeble form, and to watch his varying
pulse, he slowly told him the whole story
leaving the reading of the affecting Jour
nal until another day.
"Oh, my brother, my poor dear broth
er! how terrible must have been his feel
ings all those years of solitude and de
SPAR! Doctor. thus you see my owl