The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-20
The doctor held him back.

, y
"But this is an atrocious Decd" erie
poor Llsfranc
That is nothing to you; it must
done. will it so. The lady wishes
likewise; if she must ask it of you herse
: she will do it. Come, madame, reoue,
the doctor to do you a favor
Poor Lisfranc, pale and trembling, fe
ready 10 faint on the floor. A feeble voic
came from the alcoye and said, in ton
of unutterable despair and resignation:
Since you are surgeon,-sir-yes,e I
treat you-let it be yourself-and do nc
let-oh, you-for mercy's sake."
Come, DOCTOR" said the unknown
'either you or |. ~
So fierce and terrible was the aspect G
the stranger, and so implacabie and n
lentless his determination-the PRAYER {
the poor lady so poignant and despairina
that the doctor felt impelled By humanit
| itself to obey the command.
He took his implements, implored wit
a last look the heartless stranger, VIII
merely replied by pointing insignificant
to the AK. With broken spirit, and
cold perspiration bathing his noble brow
the doctor recalled his energy and pres
ence of mind. Twice his arm trembled
and he paused. At length the bloc,
spouted fOrth-a shrek burst from the al
cove and TO that cry of agony succeede,
dead silence.
The stranfier stood by, apparently I'm
moved. Nothing was heard but the nois,
Of the horrible work. Soon the hand an,
the instrument fell together! The doctor
livid and exhausted, gazed upon tn,
stranger with haggard eyes. The latte
| stopped, picked up the severed hand, and
drawing the ruby ring from off one of tn,
fingers, presented it to the doctor.
Take 1t, doctor" said he; 1T is q
souvenir; no one will claim it from you. y
He then added, in a low voice, at i.
over!"
Immediately the other two masked
men came in, and bandaging his ewes,
again led him away. The same carriage
that had brought him there set him down
again at his own door. DR.. Lisfranc
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 means he could
imagine for penetrating the mystery of
this terrible adventure. Had it not been
for the ring tindisputable proof of the re-
atty of his recollections), he would have
thought himself prey to hallucination.
Hoping, however, that the ruby ring
would, sooner or later, lead to some reve-
lation of this mysterious affair, he was in
the habit of wearing it suspended to his
watch-chain.
About two months after the events Just
recorded DIR. LisfIanc received an invita-
ton for ball, given by the Countess de
P, in her magnificent mansion in the
Rue de Varennes, Paris.
He accordingly went.
All the fashionable elite Of the French
nobility, as well as the most illistrious per-
sonages of German diplomacy thronged
the saloons, which were radiant with light
and beauty.
A young man, with pale face and mel
anchoiy eye. had been, during the evening.
the object Of particular remark by many of
the guests. He walked from time to time
through the suite of apartments, with an
anxious look, and then, with a sorrowful
demeanor, separated from the crowd. II
so happened that this young man found
himself, for an instant, opposite to Doctor
Llsfranc. His eyes, mechanically falling
upon the doctor. soon assumed an earnest
stare, then glittered with fearful express
ion on the ring that shone on his chain.
With sudden and rapid movement the
young man passed through a group that
separated HIM from the doctor. and walk
ing directly up to him elbowed him rndeiv
and Intentionally. The doctor politely re-
monstrated; but, instead of answering.
the young man struck HIM repeatedly in
the face.
1t may easily be conceived what excite
ment and CONSERVATION this scene pro-
duced. .-..---.
The next day was appointed for meet
ing. and the company soonrafter dispersed
in confusion.
The young Matilda de 1.-THE names
are too illustrious and too well known for
US to point them out even by initials), the
young Matilda de-was the daughter of
one OF the most iilustrious soldiers of the
Empire. Her father had acquired an ele-
waited rank. great glory and high station
in the army: but he was one of the few
whom the Empire had not en-
rlched. Matilda de- had, therefore, no
fortune to bestow upon the one who should
call her his.
Napoleon de was the grandson of
the noble Duchess de. The Duchess
had great name, an empty title, but
no fortune. Notwithstanding this, the
Duchess and the General, long bound to-
gether by the ties of friendship, had
agreed to unite their two child
rem In marriage.
Of this determination, however, they
soon repented. While Matilda and Napo-
eon gave themselves up to the sweet
charm Of their mutual affection, the Ouch
ass and the General, alarmed for the in
.erests of their children and little also
If their own, played scene of high
comedy.
IF my daughter" said the General.
'marries that poor devil. Napoleon, adleu
o luxury and pleasure.
should wed girl and not fortune, how |
,ould he ever restore the luster of the |
noble house of-?"
he General. therefore, sought to wean /
Matilda from her lover; and the Duchess
,xerted herself to divert Napoleon from
linking of Matilda. But neither could |
ucceed. Napoleon and Matilda loved too
too devotedly to fall an easy
,f"y W tue SHARES spread out TO entrap
heir youth and irexperience.
unaole to disunite them. the General
nd the Duchess insisted upon the depart
ire of Napoleon. and on his absentinC
llmself for a while from Paris. They told
nm that the smalln.ss of their fortune
equired it il was indispensable for him
o acquire n~ition in the world. The
minister had just offered to provide him
nth place as secretary to some foreign
mbassy. Should ne refuse to 60. he
Tould shut out himself from brilliant
areer. He must accomplish this sacrifice.
Tere 1t but for Matilda's sake, as her
uture depended upon it, aud he was to
,ecome responsible for her happiness.
Napoleon. length. unwillinglyo consented
He saw Matilda for a last time; he told
er Of his departure. A cry of s;gony