The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-08-13


stranger from too closely Identifying the
contents of the room. There was flask
of wine on the table and one of the gentle
men filled large bumper OF Venetian
glass and offered IL to DR.. Macbride.
al want no wine," he said, coolly; "it
may be poison for aught know"
The gentleman who had offered him the
wine, and who was very tall and clad in
suit Of dark blue padausoy, richly laced
with gold, for reply put the goblet to
his lips and tossed off the contents at a
draught. Then his companion, who was
shorter and stouter-neither had removed
his mssk-and who wore green doublet
and coat laced with silver, filed another
glass with wine aud offered 1t to the
doctor, saying, "You had better drink it.
Remember what told you in the car
riage. We allow no triaing in this house;
and, besides, you have need to nerve your
self for what you have to do
az don't like Dutch courage" replied
DR.. Macbride, and am not used to dram
drinking to nerve me for my work. How
ever, as have not the slightest wish to
have my throat cut, and you appear to be
prepared to cut it both gentlemen nod
ded their heads signiicantly-"at mo-
ment's notice, if things do not 60 as you
wish them to go, will drink. And now"
he resumed, after very moderate pota-
ton, "what is it that you desire me
to do ?"
"To perform a surgical operation"
"When ?"
"This instant"
"Where ?"
"You shall see."
AS the taller of the two masked men
made this reply he took the doctor by the
arm and led him forward. The shorter
gentleman lifted heavy velvet curtain,
yelling an open portal, and the three
passed into vast bed-chamber. Here
everything in the way of furniture, and
even the ceiling and the curtains and
Counterpart of huge four-post bed in the
center of the room, had been shrouded in
white sheeting. At the foot of the bed
there sat, or rather there was hslf-reclin-
ing in large chair covered with crimson
velvet. a young lady-she could be scarcely
more than misunderstanding beautiful
and with golden hair that rippled over her
shoulders. Her hands were tightly clasped
and she was deathly pale. She was clad
in long, loosely flowing undress robe Of
some white, silky material, and DR.. Mac
bride could see that her little feet we're
bare.
"You see this woman-this most guilty
and unhappy woman ?" said, in harsh
voice, the taller of the two gentlemen.
"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
proceed to bleed her to DEATH"
d" She is prepared to submit to her fate,
added the shorter gentleman in green and
silver, "snd you will make the greatest
possible expedition. l need scarcely say
that you will be amply recompensed fol
your palms,"
al will do no such horrible and un
manly thing" cried DR. Eaeas Macbride
edo you think that l, physician, whose
bounden duty it is to do everything that
he possibly can to save human life-be il
that of the newborn infant or of the
dotard of ninety-would consent to put
to cruel death poor lady who should
be enjoying all the happiness that earth
can give? Do your butcherly work your
selves I'll have no hand in it,"
" 1t is precisely" replied the latter gen
tleman, "because we are DESTROYS thai
this indispensable work should not b.
done in butcherly manner that we have
brought you here. You are known to b.
the skillfulest surgeon in Rome, and you
will perform the operation at once BY
opening the veins in her ankles. If you
refuse, swear that and my bro III,
| oh HaI ba phnl L.
pronounce the word "brother -" m,
companion will fall on you with our pom
iards and hack you to DEATH"
"Do their bidding" said in a low, fain
voice, the young lady in the arm. chair.
"Do hear right 2" said the doctor.
"You do" answered the lady. " DO thei
bidding, or you will incur fate as dread
full as my own"
DR.. Eneas Macbride appeared to hest
tate for q moment; then he said, Z"
will do your will; and may heaven forgiv
me for yielding to you But must hav
q vessel, large vessel of warm water"
THAT shall at once be procured" re
piled the taller of the masked men, leay
ing the room. You will remember tina
DR.. Eneas Maobride was also tall O
stature. He bent over the reclining lady
and whispered something to her.
81 have told her." he said, DRAWN
himself up to his full height, that vii
not hurt her much"
Presently two female attendants, eac
closely masked, entered the room, csrryin
between them large silver tub, full Q
warm water. This vessel they place
before the young lady, who, without
word, immersed her feet in the wate
Then DR.. Macbride, once more bendin
over the victim, smoothing the hair O
her forehead, and feeling her pulse, knel
lancet in hand, by the side Of the silve
foot-bath. He arose, looked in the vi,
TINS face, chose fresh lancet, and kne
again by the side of the foot-bath. Tn
water was now deeply discolored. FL
long it was completely crimson.
"Bring another bath-a tuba buckle
what you will =" said the doctor an
more warm water" Then he continued
hastily, holding his wrists around tn
ankles of the patient while the first foo
bath was taken away and another subst
J tuted for it, "This will finish the work.
How she bleeds said the tall maj
who, with folded arms, was watching tn
scene. The young lady had fallen bac
} in her chair, her arms hanging loosely.
Z" She is insensible +" said the shorts
of the masked men.
a. She is dead " said DIR. Eaeas Ma,
bride, solemnly.
, "How she bled repeated the shortt