Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-07-04

ceiIing, The window curtains were close.
lIy drawn, as were these also Of an al.
cove, at the bottom Of the room. In This
room the Doctor found himself alone
!, with one Of the three unknown who had
larrested him. He was man tall in.sla
lure, of imposing appearance, and des-
sed with the most aristocratIc recheEk
n His black eyes glislened through tho f
mask which covered the upper porthA,
his face, and nervous trembling NM
ted his pncovered lips, and the THO,
; which concealed the lower part ekerK
(. lcountenanea- In
"Docto.," said the man, ia a short
abrupt manner, 'prepaare your inst'\
ments, you have an ampnalion TO pei
FORM
"Where is the patient!" demanded n
Huberti.
So saying, the Doctor turned towarts
the alcove, and advanced one step towarcs
it. The curtains were slightly novel,
and a stiff sigh was heard.
"Prepare your instruments" said tie
man with the mask, in convulsive mai
ner.
"But," insisted NJ. HUBERT, 81 must
first see my patient"
"You will only see the hand which ytr
are to cut off," replied the man.
Nj. Hubert crossed his arms upon h;
breast, and, looking the other firmly d
the face. said to him:
"Sir, you have used violence to condu:
me here: yet, if it is really true, that any
one stands in need OF my professional
services, withouttroubllng myself about
your secrets, forgetting how | have been
brought hi!her, will do my duty as
surgeon. But, it is your intention Ii
commit crime, although you have been
able to compel me to follow you, you shaI
not force me to be your accomplish"
"Reassure YOURSELF" said the unknown
in tone of bitterness; "lhere is no crime
in all this"
Taking the Doctor by the arm, he ap
preached the alcove; then pointing 10 {
hand that was thrust out between the cur
tains, this is the hand which you are t
cut off,"
Tie Dee.e- -.-oi..-.L-> La 81 ia HE. ;.
felt the fingers tremble at his touch. 4
was the hand Of woman, small, admira,
bly, formed and its delicate Wilderness wa
set off BY magnificent ruby, surrounded
by diamonds.
"But," said the Doctor, "here is moth
ing that calls for amputalion-nothlng."
Sand | tell you,n cried the unknown
violently, ''that if the surgeon refuses me
| will do his Office myself;" and selzing
Ratchet which was at the foot of the bed
he placed the hand upon the table ant
prepared to cut it off. The Doctor res
trained him.
"Do your duty then,n said the man,
"But this is perfectly atrocious," criet
poor Huberti.
.!What is that to you? 1t must be So
wish TO have it, and madame wishes i
also. If 1t is necessary that she hersel
shall entreat you, she will Go so. Come
madame, beg the Doctor to do this service
NJ. Huberti pale, bewildered, aghast
could hardly keep from lainting.
A half smoihered voice came from the
alcove, which said an understandable &C
cent oil mingled despair and resignation
"Sir, since you are a surgcon-yes,
entreat you--do it--don'I let hlm--fo
mercy's sake"
"Come, DOCTOR said the man, "you q
II?n
The resolution Of his dreadful compan
ion was SO implacable and so terrifying
the prayer OF the poor woman was 81
poignant and despairing, that the Doctor
saw that the dictates Of humanity com
manded that they should obey. He tool
his implements, cast one more enqulrinE
look upon the unknown, who pointed t
the alcove as his only answer; with al
agonlsed heart, and with his brow be
dewed with cold sweat, and summonint
all his energy to his aid, he applied The
knife to the wrist. Twice his hand ialleC
lat length the blood gushed forth,
shrek was heard from the alcove, and The
silence of death followed. The unknown
stood silent and unmoved--the noise o
the horrible operation alone was heard
soon both the hand and the knife fell TO
gether. The Doctor was deadly pale; h
looked at the unknown with haggar'
eyes. The latter stopped, picked up the
hand, TOOK the ring from the finger, ant
presented i; to the Doctor.
"Take it Doctor" said he-'let it be
souvenir no one will ever demand it o
you again."
He then added in loud voice--"t i
done" Immediately thetwo other mask
ed men entered, again bandaged the Doc
tors eyes, and led him away. The same
carriage that had brought him, carried
him back to his own door. The Docto
took off his bandage, and saw the berlin
4, -, ~ IN tho do knaca IL WAS tlVi