The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-07-01

blinds we're closely drawn down, bat
small lamp hanging from the roof gave
sufficient light for him to see that the'op.
posite seat was occupied by two gentle
men very richly dressed but whose coun,
tenances were wholly concealed by masks
of black silk. having deep fringes OF the
same material. O,e of the gentlemen
hastened TO inform him that he must
submit to have his eyes bsndaged, as the
person into whose presence they were
to conduct him was lady OF rank,
whose name and place OF abode 1t wss
imperativelv necessary to conceal. As
he pulled the bandage out OF his pocket
and proceeded very adroitly to adjust it
to the doctors eyes, his companion took
occas,on to remark that he and the other
gentleman we're fully armed. aud should
the doctor at this or at any other stage
OF the proceeding offer the slightess re-
sistance to any request which was prot.
fered TO him he would be Immediately
stabbed to death. Upon this admonttion
Dr. II las Macbride, determined, like the
canny Scot he was, to hold his tongue
and see-when he was permitted to use
bis eyesight sgsln-what came of it.
1t seemed to him that the carriage
was continually turning, and was being
driven through . great variety Of streets
possibly with the view to prevent biz
forming any accurate idea as to the part
of the citv to which he was being con.
Quoted. The coach at length stopped
and the door was opened for him. Has
Two. companions took him each under
one arm, assisted him to alighi and con.
Quoted him up q narrow staircase into 9
room where, after q moments pause, the
bandaoe was removed from his eyes. he
found himself in a.smsii drawing-room
or boudoir, dimly lighted by wax tapers
and richly furnished, altho hough sheets and
pieces Of tapestry had been thrown over
some OF the chairs or placed~in front oil
the picture frames as though for the pur
pose Of preventing stranger from too
closely identifying the contents of the
room. There was q flask OF wine on
the table, and one Of the gentlemen filled
a large bumper OF Venetian glass and
offered it To DR.. Maebride. sm ,:s3
Il want no wine," be said co ,lly ; SIT
NAV be poison foe aught know" t7
The gentleman who had offered him
the wine, and who was. very tall and clad
in a suit OF dark blue psduasoy richly
laced 10 gold, for all reply put the goblet
to his lips and tossed of the contents at
q drsught. Then his companion, who
was shorter and s:outer --neitber had re-
moved his mask-and who wore green
doublet and coat laced with silver, f;led
another glass with wine and offered it to
the doctor, saying, "You had better
drink it. Remember what told you 10
the, carriage. We allow n, triains 10
this house; aud, besides, you have need
to nerve yourself for what you have to
dol"
IL don't like Dutch COURAGE" replied
DR.. Macbride, and am not used to dram
to nerve me for my work.
However,as I have not the slightest wish
to have my throat cut. and you appear
to he prepared to cut it"--both gentle.
men nodded their heads significantly
'at q moments notice il things do not
60 as you wish them to 90, l will drink
And now" he resumed after very mod.
crate potation, 'what is il tuat you desire
me to do2"
"To perform surgical operation"
"When p
"This instant" ss
.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 the heavy velvet
curtain yelling an open portal, and the
three passed into q vast bed chamber.
Here everything in the way OF furniture,
and even the ceiling and the curtains and
counlerpane of q huge fonr.post he'd in
tie center OF the room, had been shroud.
ed in white sheeting. AT the loot of the
bed there sat, or rather there was half.
reclining in large chair covered with
critnson velvet. a young ladv-she could
scarcely be more than nineteen-exceed-
ingly beautiful and with golden hair that
rippled over her shoulders. Her baud :
we're lightly clasped and she was deathly
pale She vas clad in long, loosely
a,wing robe OF some silky materiel. and
DR. Macbride could see that her little
feet we're bare.
"You see this woman-this most gull.
ty and unhsppy woman ? said in harsh
vo'ce the tsller Of the two gentlemen
She has dsgraced the noble family 10
which she belongs and it is necessary
that she should be deprived of life
Here is a case OF IaIcets and you will
instantly prepare TO bleed her to death. .
She is prepared to submit to her fate,
added the shorter gentleman in green
and silver; land you will make the great.
est possible expedition I need scarcely
say that you viii be amply recompensed
for your paine"
IL will do no such horrible and un-
manly thing" cried DR.. .Enas Macbride
"Do you think, that I, a physician, whose
bounden duty it is to do everything that
he possibly can to save human life-be
it that OF the new born infant or of the
dotard OF ninety would consent to put
to cruel deafh poor lady who should
be ENJOYING all the happiness that earth
can give2 D. your bu cher work your
self; I'll have no hand init"
"ItiS precisely" replied the latter gen.
tleman, "because We are desirous that
this indispensable work should not be
done in q butcherly manner that we have
brought you here. You are known to
be the skillfulest surgeon in Rome, and
you will perform the operation at once
by opening the veins in her ankles. II
you refuse, swear that and my bro"
he checked himself before he could
wholly pronounce the word "brother"-
"my companion will fall on you with our
poniards and hack you to DEATH"
"Do their bidding" said in low, faint
voice the young lady in the armchair.
"Do hear aright2" said the doctor.
"You do," resumed the lady. "Do