Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-07-02
had made him an unwilling captive.

The stranger was tall and OF lmpos
ing mien. He was dressed with truly
arlstocratical precision his black eyes
glittered through the halt mask thai
covered his upper features, while
nervous twitch agitated his uncovered
lips and the thick beard that surrounded
the lower part OF his face.
Doctor said the stranger, in dry
and broken voice, prepare your imple-
ments-you have to perform an ampu-
tahon.'
Where is the patient:' inquired Lis
franc. Saying which he turned toward
the alcove, and moved step forward.
The curtains waved gently, and a stiiled
sigh was heard coming from that direc-
ton.
Prepare for the operation, sr,' re-
peated the stranger, convulsively.
But said the doctor, it is import
ant that l should see the patient
You can see only the hand which
you are required 10 cut off,
The doctor then crossed his arms, and
looking earnestly at his interlocutor,
replied:
Sir, there has been violence used in
bringing me here if it be true, however,
that some one stands in need OF my
services, without looking into your Sc
crets-unmindful Of the way have
been brought here-I shall willingly dc
duty as a surgeon. But if you have
meditated crime, you may have oblig'
ed me 10 follow you, but you cannot
force me 10 be your accomplce.'
BE easy, sir replied the stranger
bitterly there is no crime in all this.
And taking the doctor by the arm. he
walked up 10 the alcoye; then pointing
TO hand that came from behind the
curtains, lie said, That is the hand you
are to cut off,
The doctor took with his own the eX-
tended hand; he felt its delicate fingers
shudder at the contact. 1t was wo-
mans hand, small and beautifully shap-
ed, on which ruby ring made its white
ness appear still more remarkable.
Nothing here,' exclaimed the doc
tor mo, nothing demands an amputa>
hon.'
And tell you,' cried the stranger,
with q laundering voice. that, If the
surgeon refuses. shall fulfill his Office
myself, and, seizing an axe that lay at
the foot of the bed, he laid the hand on
the night table and prepared to sever it..
The doctor held him back.
Then do it yourself, said the man.
but this is an atrocious deed!' cried
poor Llsfranc.
That is nothing 10 you. 1t must be
done l will it so, The lady wishes it
likewise if she must ask it Of you her
self, she will do it. Come, Madame,
request the doctor to do you the favor
Poor Lisfranc, pale and trembling,
felt ready to faint on the floor. A fee
Bile voice came from the alcoye, and said
in tone Of unuttcrable despair and res
ignatlon;
'Since you are a surgeon I-yes, |
entreat you-let It be yourself-and do
not let-oh, you-for mercy's sake"
Come, DOCTOR said the unknown
either you or l.
So fierce and terrible was the aspect
of the stranger, and so implacablc and
relentless his determinatlon-the pray
er Of the poor lady so poignant and
despairing, that the doctor felt lmpelled
by humanity itself 10 obey the COM
mand.
lie took his implements, implored
with last look the heartless stranger,
who merely replied by pointing signif-
cantly to the axe. With broken spir-
it. and a cold perspiration bathing his
noble brow, the doctor recalled all his
energy and presence Of mind. Twice
his arm tremblcd, and he paused. At
length the blood spouted forth-a shrek
burst from the alcoye, and to that cry
of agony succeeded dead silence.
The stranger stood BY, apparently
unmovcd. Nothing was heard but the
noise of the horrible work. Soon the
hand and the instrument fell together !
The doctor, livid and exhausted, cazed
upon the stranger with haggard eyes.
The latter stopped, picked up the sew
cred hand, and, drawing the ruby ring
from off one of the fingers, presented
it 10 the doctor.
Take it, DOCTOR said he; ii is a
souvenir; no one will claim it from
you.' He then added, in low voice,
1t is over!'
Immediately the other two masked
men came IN, and, bandagiIg his eyes.
again led him away. The same carriage
that had brought him there set him down
again at his own door. Doctor Llsfranc
snatched the bandage from his eyes in
time to see the carriage rolling away
and disappearing in the darkness. 1t
was five O'Clock in the morning.
1t was in vain that day after day, the
doctor exhausted every meansihe could
imagine for penetrating the mystery of
this terribly adventure. Had it not
been for the ring (ndisputable proof OF
the reality of his recolections, )he would
have thought himself prey to hallu-
clnation.
Hoping, however, that the ruby RUG
would, sooner or later, lead to some
revelation of this mysterious affair, he
was in the habit Of wearing 1t suspend