The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-05-31

uC udQ OCCu 3ii Dut suuO~4AEo TIC o1k up. to ind himself indeed in the interior of wha, was evidently a carriage belong ing to some person of rank. The blinds were closely drawn dox D, but a small light hanging from the roof gave suffi- cient light for him to see that the seat opposite vas occupied by t~o gentlemen very richly dressed, but whose counte- nanees were ~holly concealed by masks of black silk. having deep fringes of the same material. ORe of the gentlemen has,ened 10 inform him that he must sub init to have his eyes bandaged, as the
 person into whose presence they were
 about to conduct him was lady of rank
 whose name and place of abode it was
 lmperatively necessary to conceal. As he
 pulled the bandsge out of his pocket and
 proceeded very adroi,ly to adjust it to the doctors eyes his companion took oc- casion 10 remark that he and the other gentleman were fully armed and should
 the doctor. at this or any other stage of the proceedings, offer the slightest resist anee to any request which was proficred 10 him. he would be immediately stabbed to death. Upon this admonition, Da
 .t-neas Mcbride determined. like the canny Seot he was, to hold his tongue and see-when he was permitted to use his eyesight again-what came of il.
 II seemed 10 him that the carriage was continually turning and was being driven through great variety of streets, possi- ply with the view 10 prevent his forming any accurate :dea 2s .e ,he part of the city to which he was being conducted The coach al length stopped and the door was opened for him. His two com panions took him each under one arm. assisted hln 10 alight and conducted him Up narrow staircase into room, where after moments pause. the bandage was removed from his eyes. He found him. self IF small drawing-roor1 or boudoir. dlmly lighted by wax tapers and richly furnished, although sheets and pieces of tapestry had been thrown over some Of the chars or placed in fron, of the pic ture-frames. as though for the purp :. of preventing q stranger from too olo ,, " identifying the contents of the room There xas flask of wine on the table and one oi the gentlemen tiled large bumper ot Venetian glass and offered il 10 Df. Maebride.
 :, want no wine" he said. coolly: "it may be poison for aught know
 The gentleman who had offered him the wiEe, and who was very tall and clad m a suii of dark blue paduasoy. richly laced with gold. for all reply pu, the gob- let 10 his lips and tossed of the contents a, draught. Then his companion. who was shorter and stouier-neither had re- T.s-4 k..- T l. douolet and coa, laced with silver. filled another glass wi.h vine and offered i, to the doctor. saying. You had better drink II. Remember what l told you in the carriage. We allow no ,riiing in this house: and. besides, you have need to nerve yourself for what you have to do:'
 |" don't like Dutch courage" replied pr. Macbride. and am not used 10 dram m-driEking to nerve me for my work. However. as have not the slightest wish to have my throat cut, and you appear 10 be prepared to cut 1t both gentle men nodded their heads significantly ;" a, a moments notice. if things do not go as you wish them to go, will drink And now, he resumed, after very mod crate Potauon. what Is II that you de- sire me 10 do
 :" To perform surgical operation"
 When:'
 This instant"
 "Where:"
 You shall see
 As the taller of the two masked men made thls reply. he took the doctor by the arm and led him forward. The shorter gentleman lifei a heavy velvet curtain yelling an open portal and the three passed into a vast bed-chamber Here everything in the way of furniture. and even the ceiling and the curtains and eounter-pane of huge four pos, bed in the centre of the room. had been shroud- ed Tn white shee'ing. A, the foo, of the bed there sat, or rather there was half reclining in large chair covered with crimson velvet. young lady-she could be scarcely more than nineteen exceed ing beautiful and with golden hair that rippled over her shoulders Her hands were tightly clasped and she was dea,hly nale- She was clad in a long loosely flowing lndress robe of some white, silky and Dr. Macbride could see that her little fee, were bare.
 You see this womanIthis most guilty and unhappy woman 2" said in a harsh voice the taller of the two gentleman. !" She has disgraced the noble family to which she belongs and it is necessary that she should be deprived of life. Here is case of lancets and you will instantly pro- ceed to bleed her to death.''
 She is prepared to submit to her fate. added the shorter gentleman in green and silver, and you will make the greatest possible expedition. need scarcely say tha, you will be amply reoompensed for your pains.'
 "l will do no such horrible and un- manly thing" cried 0r .Eaeas Macbride. " Do you think that I, physician, whose bounden duty it is to do everything that he possibly can do to save human life be 1t that of the newborn infant or ofthe dctard of ninesy-would consent to pu, to a cruel death poor lady who should be enjoying all the happiness that earth can give! Do your butcherly work yourself: I'll have no hand in it.
 It is precisely replied the latter gen. tleman, because we are desirous that