The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-05-26
CHAPTER I.

thought. In his hand he held a letter,
which, after few moments, he again
carefully read. As 1t refers to people
and events to be mentioned often in the
remarkable story about to be related, we
give the contents entire:
Yonkers, April is, 49,.
Mr.. Lemuel Gray:
Dear Sir--It Is with great dlfflculty |
that 1 pen the following, being very III,
but as the object have in view by thus
addressing you is of great Importance,
will write in as few words as possible.
You are aware, being my confidential
adviser that l expected to sail for Eu'
iope shortly, In order to attempt to un- |
ravel the mystery surrounding the death |
of Sir Arthur Glendenning, in whose fate
am SO deeply Interested
wished to visit, In some disguise, the
town where Glendenning Hall is situat-
ed, to become acquainted with the pres
ent baronet and Lady Constance, his
wife, with the nephew and niece resid-
Ing with them, and to learn something.
IL possible, about the only sister who
married without the consent of her fam
ily, and who, therefore, was disowned by
her relatives as well as a young girl
whom II was said they had adopted.
! desired, also, to make inquiries In |
regard to the private character Of An
tome Duyal, the valet of the present Sir
Reginald Glendenning, and to study ev-
erything that might bear upon the mys. |
terry of the case.
| regret to say that my physician de-
clares II impossible for me to undertake, |
with safety, this journey. What do you
thing OF my sending thither a substitute
have In mind young physician, DR..
Earle Elfenstein, who resides In your
city. ! write to ask you to hunt him up
for me- Please make a few inquiries
as to his circumstances, disposition and
above ALL whether he Is an energetic and
conscientious man.
Inform me In regard to these matters
at an early date. II favorable, set
time when you can meet him at my resi-
dence 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
am afflicted forbids my entering into the
long explanations that must be given, in
order to instruct him in the performance
Of the work.
Yours. etc.
LEON RAPPELYE.
To this, a few hours later, the follow
Ing reply was penned
N. Y, April 10, 1S-A-.
Mr.. Leon Rappelye;
Dear Sir-Upon the receipt of yours
Of the 10Th, examined the city directory
without delay find DIR. Elfenstein's ad-
dress to be AZ Exton street.
Going at once TO the nelghborhood. |
learned from a reliable source that the
young man has very small practice. |
therefore, finds II difilcut to support his |
widowed mother and himself In comfort.
This state Of his finances Is not due
to lack Of energy for he is lndefatigable
In bis efforts to benefit his patients, but
those who apply to him for advice are.
unfortunately, the very poor In the region
Of his home.
He Is an exceedingly conscientious and
good man, and from all | can learn. lust
the one to undertake the important busi.
ness which you propose, and which l
fully approve.
l viii meet him at your residence on
the evening Of the 18th. 1t would he
well to send him telegram to that sf.
feet as soon as you receive this. Yours
sincerely,
LEMUEL GRAY.
It was a dull and dreary picture that
the eyes Of ng, Earle Elfenstein rested
upon as he drew back the lace curtains
that draped the parlor window Of his
cogy 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
hard struggle to live.
This afternoon he was peculiarly east
down, for his mother had reminded him
that the months rent for the fat IN
which they resided would be due In three
days, and he knew he had not one quar-.
ter OF the amount required.
1t was no wonder, then, that A Sigh
escaped him as he turned to greet the
sweet looking lady about fifty yeara of
aye, who entered the room, holding an
envelope in her hand.
Here is a telegram for you, Earle,
What can II beT
s"V' s"'i 20 eApeeteu none, ne
repheu' opening the mlssive. "Thls Is
singular l am requested to leave the
city by the D. m, train for Yonkers,
to see gentleman, who Is an invalid,
on matter OF business. His name Is
Leon Rappelye, a strange name to me-"
what shall you do about it?" asked
the mother, anxiously.
Il shall go, Of course. The message
says, you will be met at the station | | |
nave lust about time to answer a call I
and meet the train. I
"What time shall you returnT'
1T viii be late, know, perhaps not
until morning. Good by, little mother
Who knows but this will bring better
things for us|
Later, closely protected by a comfort
able ulster from the heavy rain that was {
falling, with a train of serious thoughts
In his mind, occasiOned by his poverty. I
DR.. Elfensteln wended his way to the
Grand Central Depot and entered the l
cars that would bear him to his destina. {
tion,