The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-22

! cried, in horror. stricken whisper, as ]
heard the key turn in the lock, the doc.
tor, in his haste, must have forgotten to
withdraw the key" -. .rs-~.-
''God forgive me!'' calculated Doctor
Maynard, inteIrupting his wife and look
ing far more excited than she. II Can
never forgive myself for such thought.
less act. Please proceed my DEAR
II heard the front door open, the steps
in the hall, and helpless as a statue still
sat rivited in my chair. The parlor door
was open, and in it stood tall, thin man.
whom 1 had never beheld before. He
was dressed in long, loose robe, a sort
of gaberdine and black velvet scull cap
partially concealed broad forehead un.
derneath which cleaned black eyes,
bright as living Goals, and placed so near
together that their gaze was preternatur-
oil in its directness; heavy grizzled eve.
lids hung over them like the tangled
name of lion the nose was sharp and
prominent, and the chin was overgrown
with white hair, which hung down in
locks weird as the ancient mariners.
He politely DOTTED his cap, replaced it,
and then said, in slightly foreign &C.
cent:
"'Madame, it is not necessary for me
to stand on any further ceremony. as
your husband, Doctor Maynard, there.
upon nc again bowed profoundly " has
already acquainted you with the nature
OF my business here tonight. I per-
ceive, he added, glancing at my neglige
robe, that you were expecting me.
"N.o," I found voice to stammer.
The doctor has said nothing to me about
having a visitor atlthis hour of the night
"sAh, he wished to spare you no doubt,
a disagreeable apprehension he re-
turned, advancing and taking seat on
tie sofa opposite me, where for a few
moments he sat and eyed me keenly
from head to foot with strange glitter
ing light in his eyes that mysteriouslv
impressed me. You have a remarkably
tine physique, madame he observed, oui.
city; one that might deceive the eve
of the most skilled and practical
physician. Do you suffer much pain 2
"Unable to speak, I shook my head.
A terrible suspicion was creeping over
me. was alone-miles perhaps awav
from aid or rescue-with a mailman.
"'Ah, he continued, refectively svour
husband may have mistaken tumor for
cancer. Allow me to feel your pulse, he
said. rising and bending over me.
81 thought best to humor him, remen.
bering it was unwise for helpless woman
to oppose the, as yet, harmless freak of a
lunatic. He took out his watch, shook
his head gravely, laid my hand down
gently, then went toward the study,
where on the table, were an open case of
instruments.
"'Do not be alarmed madame he said,
turning to me as [ was about to rise and
fee, and in another instant he was by nv
side with the case in his possession.
"lnvolunta:ily I raised my hand and
cried:
"'Spare me! 0, spare me, beseech!
Madame he said sternly, clas,,ing
my wrist with his long sinewy finger
with a grip Of steel, you behave like a
Child l have no time to parley, for
have received letter from the Emperor
of the French stating that he is suffering
from an ilica abscess, and is DESTROYS Of
my attendance. must start for Europe
Immediately after performing the Upper.
alton on your breast, and before could
make the slightest resistance he had me
in his arms, and was carrying me into his
study, where there was a long table with
a green baize. On this he laid me. hold.
ing me down with one hand with the
strength Of maniac, he brought forth
from some hidden recess in his gown
several long leathern straps, with which
he secured me to the table with the skill
of an expert. 1t was but the work of a
moment IT, unloose my robe and bare nv
bosom. Then after carefully examining
my left breast, he said:
Madame, your husband has made
mistake. l find no necessity for my in
tended operation
AT this gave long-drawn sigh of
relief. and prepared to rise.
But, he continued, 4 have made the
discovery that your heart is as large as
an OK! Twill remove it so that you may
see for yourself, reduce it to its natural
size by curious process OF my own, un.
known to medical science, and of which I
am the sole discoverer, and then replace
it again
<'He now began to examine the
edge Of the cruel knife, on which closed
my eyes, while my every nerve was in
perceptible tremor.
"'The mechanism of the heart is like
watch, he resumed; if it goes too fast,