Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-03-17

eyes of the patient. as the operation il
somewhat peculiar. In fact, If the ladieI
do not object, I will give an illustration
on your hand, Robert-just q slight one
of course"
was willing. and was soon seated il
a chair. blindfold.
Don't you want a basin, papa ?" sale
Grace.
No, only my lancets, and few tow
els. so as to keep. ahem the carpet frou
being-you understand"
The lancets were fetched, my right arm
and hand carefully wrapped in cloths and
then began gentle scratching on the back
iof my hand.
"Do you feel faint" said the doctor.
mo-" Ta
LET me feel your pulse" be added
when human blood is shed. every min.
ute circumstance becomes of importance,
and must have its full weight. Do I hurt
you, Robert?"
mot at ALL" I said.
Ihave nearly finished and am success.
ful," continued the doctor. There is
blood, and in it lies the evidence plainly
written upon his right hand. Now place
your right arm across your left, and gent
ly move it up and down to restore the cir
culation. while uncover your eyes"
Instantly the handkerchief was whip
ped of. and there was I with my arm
transformed into doll. while. with hand
kerchiefs folded like an infants cap round
lit, face cleverly drawn with pen and ink
was smiling at me from the back of my
hand. [ was amazed, and with bewild-
cred air continued to rock 1.-The baby" up
and down full minute before I mastered
the situation, and understood the roars oil
laughter which greeted the joke.
All human pleasures must end and SO
did this pleasant evening. 1t was late
when we all retired. with many a bless
ing given and received. I was soon in
bed. Why could I not sleep9 For some
time 1 had felt drowsy, but all at once be-
came wide-awakc. l began to think
think of hundreds of forgotten things, and
visions Of strange faces crowded into my
head. It appeared to me as if l must be
very nervous-s strange for me. Could it
have been that joke of the doctors? And
what made him seem SO grave wheE be
came home 5. .sA. so
Suddenly. before the thought had pass
ed out of my brain, the door opened
sat up in amazement to see the doctor
himself enter. IF be had looked tired
when he came home he looked perfectly
haggard now. l was spell-bound by a
look on his face that had never seen be-
fore.
What is the matter" 1 almost gasped.
"Are you ILL"
"No. l have something which I wish
to tell you. but hardly dare. Tomorrow
will be time enough"
"Why not tell it me now," replied
"It may seem strange to you, doctor. but
| felt tonight that you had secret, and
it oppresses me more than if knew all
that you know yourself"
1t seemed strange. but the doctor s pres
ence and manner began to trouble me in
an extraordinary manner, and asked him
several times if he would not confidential
ly tell me what the secret was. At last
he told me. Partly, be said, because 1T
relieved him to allow some one to share
his feelings. But was on no account to
breathe what heard to any living soul.
The story was this: That farmer had
been found dead, with his throat cut from
ear to ear: that he had been attacked on
his way home. apparently, aud had strug-
gled long with his assailant. who had ul-
timately beaten him insensible. and then
gashed his throat as describeds and the
farmer was friend of mine. and he was
found in a beautiful part Of the road that
ran from L.. past his house, a part
where the grass-covcred banks sloped up
ward on each side; and bloody pocket
book lying in the grass. and thick jag
ged stick smeared with blood and hair
we're all that were left after the dead man
was taken away. And at present the doc.
tor and I were the only persons in the
house who knew anything about the crime,
nor must know till after the ceremony oil
the morning. Saying this. my visitor
slowly withdrew. and was left once more
alone.
remember that lay awake for long
time, but I felt stunned and Mortified BY
the terrible story had just heard.
could not rest; it weighed upon my hear
like some horrible monster, and my brain
seemed all on fire. It became impossible
to remain in bed. I must walk-mus'
have air. The nj ght was fne-an un'
clouded full moon lit up all the landscape
and the little stream that wandered at the
foot of the lawn glittered like silver. Bet
ter be out of doors than shut up in room
with the memory of foul murder sbap
ing itself into a score of bloody pictures
So softly dressed. and then, opening my
window. got out. easily dropping to tht
velvcty turf below. Then a resolution
suddenly formed itself in my mind-I say
formed itself. for the persuasion that some
invisible will guided me became more ant
more distinct l took myself toward tn
scene of the murder, walking rapidly. ant
my whole frame trembling with agitation
at the thought Of what was to see. Th'
murdered man had been my friend. W.
fL.5 -, aL;ll~an nl,r,I t,roiLar Ou