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


"Dr. Elfenstein," said, Mr.. Gray, "my
client and friend, Mr.. Leon Rappelye
Is, as you see, extremely III. Our friend
Is a lonely man, having no relatives llv-
ing to whom he wishes to leave his large
fortune. He has dictated his last will
and testament, and as he desires to sign
II before he may be unable to do SO. II
was necessary for him to see you per.
sonally, previous to placing his name to
the document, In which, may add, you
are deeply interested"
Earle Elfenstein started as he heard
these words, and looked from the lawyer
to the invalid beside him.
"You are surprised, naturally" again
resumed Mr. Gray, "and probably won
der what Mr.. Rappelye knows Of you.
| win explain this at once. Your father
was George Blfenstein, a weil-known
banker; In years gone by he did Mr..
Rappelye a never-to- be- forgotten service.
His arrival In this country was follow.
ed by long and dangerous Illness when
he lay alone among strangers, almost
neglected, and he attended to his wants
like a brother, until he was entirely con.
valescent. They met often afterward
and then lost sight of each other. Years
Of silence passed, when accidentally he
learned about three months since that
his benefactor was dead, and his only
son was a struggling physician in New
York. He has heard Of your fearless,
conscientious manner of meeting your ell
gagements, and this was a characteristic
he particularly wished to find in some
young friend, When, therefore, his
health entirely failed, he determined to
send for you, aad perhaps place his af-
fairs In your hands"
Anything that | can do within the
range OF honor and integrity, shall be
pleased to undertake." Earle answered
1--WE felt 30, The case then Is this;
but, Of course, you will recognize the
fact that the history of our friends life,
which l shall be obliged to unfold to you,
Is told In strict confidence. VIII you
promise to regard that confidence as
sacred trust. never to be told to another.
until all that is now mysterious has been
swept awayT'
II will"
"Then | will proceed. Our friend was
the youngest son of Sir Geoffrey Glen
dennlng, residing in large town near
Liverpool. This gentleman had one
daughter, who married against his
wishes, and three sons Arthur, who
would in case of his death succeed to
the title; Reginald, two years younger,
and Fitxroy, the gentleman you see be-
fore you, whose severe domestic mlsfor-
tunes have been 80 great that for the last
twenty-five years he has been obliged to
live In this country, under the assumed
name of Rappelys."
"A short time after the death Of his
parents, for they expired within a few
months Of each other, and after his
brother Arthur had come into possession
Of his title, little turmoils arose between
the brothers, and seemed to embitter
them exceedingly,
Reginald, the second son, had an ugly,
disposition, that was peculiarly
and whenever the oppor-
tunity occurred he delighted In getting
Fftzroy into disgrace with the young
baronet.
These young men had a very pretty
COUSIN, IN whose society they each took
extreme pleasure. Her name was Con.
stance Leonore Glendenning. It was soon
that the affections Of the
young girl were centered upon Sir Ar
thur, aud this knowledge was immedi
ately followed by 4 betrothal.
Reginald, being somewhat disappoint-
ed that he could not win the prize. un-
dertook to report several little interviews
OF a purely innocent and accidental ma
tnre that FitEroy had with this lady to
his brother, casting q very sinister light
upon them and assuring Arthur that
Fitzroy was endeavoring to supplant him
In her favor.
"This artful story lnfurlated the young
and caused q very bitter inter
view. FitEroy Indignantly denied every
thought cf interference, declaring the
truth, that his love for Constance was
merely cousinly. This Sir Arthur refus.
ed to believe. and frey parted In anger.
Fitxroy eTclaimhg In . moment Of un-
guardedophssioh ss be left himi
"'Vsry well thlak 90 u h suits you;