Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-10-07
LOorlinued NOM ETra Pnle.l

ored down path strewed with
rocks, and a. last halted, altogeth-
The doctor heard the challenge
of the sentry, and a minute later
the bsndsge was removed from bis
eyes.
AS be had anticipated he was in
a cave, which was well lighted aud
contained five men-masked like
those who had brought him hither.
Doctor Wood" said one Of the
masks, | sent for you 10 perform a
surgical operation"
The young physician swept the
apartment with his eye; but could
zee no one who looked like patient.
There's an arm 10 be amputat-
ed" continued the mask I; quickly.
$50 let's 10 work az once. This
way, If you please, doctor"
The man stepped toward a cur
tain stretched across the cave, aud
raised the ample folds. All. Wood
found himself IN q smaller com
partment, which was, in fact, but
d continuation Of the main cave,
and his eyes fell upon couch.
Here lies your patient, doctor,
said the man. 80 work at once"
As the young doctor approached
the couch be discovered that bis
patient was a woman. whose face
was tightly vailed.
She slept, and Wood glanced at
his man as be drew the coyerlet
aside
The masked face stood near him
with revolver.
The face is not Tor you 70 see"
sad the stern voice. look TO the
arm"
Gently he lifted the baEdaged
arm and examined IL. A pistol-ball
had made havoc with the flesh,
aud 20 no little extent, the bone
was injured.
But suddenly he leaped 70 his /
feet, and stared aghast at ring :
that glittered on one Of the swollen /
fingers!
40 your work, sir" said the
man. "Cut that arm of. /
"That arm can be saved" !
"Take it Off p c
'"Twould be the height Of cruelty. c
Sir, placed that ring on her finger I
four years ago. Let me spare the
arm," ]
The revolver was lifted TO his
breast.
IF you don't proceed immediate ,
ly 20 the smputation Of that arm, d
III pat bullet into your heart" ,
The doctor moved slowly 20 open
his case Of instruments.
"Be more expeditions doctor"
said the man impatienty.
He moved 70 the couch; but
drew back when be took up the
arm.
Il won't mutilate that beautious
body-there :" be cried, and a Sc
cond later be hurled the case Of
surgical instruments al the bii-
gand's head.
The box struck the masks re-
yolYer, and dashed il from his
hand But be drew another quick
lyj but never got 10 use il. For
az the novel weapon left the doe
tors hand, be displayed his own
pistol, and the brigand staggered
forward shot 10 the death!
A minute Of wild excitement
followed. The curtain parted, and
three men leaped into the chamber;
bat two went back with bullets in
their bodies, aud the third fell for
ward, shot by a vollcy which at
that juncture, was poured into the
cave from the exterior.
The Regulators were upon the
Ozark bandits, and ia less time
Than can record a sentence, the
battle was over.
Alfred Wood, tore the veil from
his patients face, and Ethel Gray,
under the influence Of some sopo-
rifle, lay before him.
lie saved her arm after he had
lhtened TO her story.
Fonr years prior 10 the opening
Of our story, Az Wood, then
young medical student, fell in love
with Ethel Gray. But malicious
lies estranged them, and she follow
ed her father to the wilds Of Kan
sas. There she had fallen into the
clutches Of the chief Of the Ozark
brigands, and, in attempting to