Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-06-16
A wOMiNs HAND.
Thrilling StoS OF Jealous Revenge.

Thrilling StOI OF Jealous Revenge.
After the restoration Of Louis Phil
ippe 10 the French throne. many Of
NapOleon's soldiers were left in cOmpar-
ative poverty.
One of them, a famous general, had a
beautiful daughter whom he wished to
marry rich, but who fell in love with a
poor young man-an under secretary or
something of that kind.
She married at her fathers request a
rich count, but refused at the wedding
ceremony to allow the ring to be placed
on her left hand, upon which she wore
a ruby. put there by her lover.
Her jealous husband was not long in
finding out what was the matter, and
intercepting letter in which the ar
dent Young lover claimed Matilda's
hand his, he determined upon an
IWfal revenge.
One night as the celebrated surgeon,
LiSIr3nc. II dS returning from prOfeS-
slOu2' visit, he was captured by 4 party
of men. hlindfoiled and taken to a dis
tant Ir,l &C, and led through 4 labyrinth
Of !r'>>igos and ,OOms.
lt last IL fJ'nd himself in a small
chamber furnished with remarkable
luxury, AID half lit by an alabaster
lamp hung from the ceiling. The win
dows were dramatically sealed, rs well
rs the curtains OF an alcOve at the end
of the room.
doctor" said the man with whom
he now found himself alone. in an
abrupt, loud voice, prepare for your
wOrk-an amputatiOn."
Where is the patient?" asked the
doctor, turning toward the alcOve. The
curtains moved slightly, and he heard 4
stitled sigh.
Prepare, sir, " said the man, convul-
siyelv.
but, Sir, must see the PATIENT
You will see only the hand you are
To cut off"
The doctor, folding his arms and
looking firmly at the other. said:
''Sir, YOU brought me here by force.
If You need my professional assistance
| shall do my duty without caring for.
or troubling myself about your secrets;
but If yOu wish To commit crime you
cannot force me to be your accom-
plice."
BE content, sir" replied the other,
there is no crime in this and leading
him TO the alcOve he drew from the cur
tains hand
1T is this YOU are tn cut off.
The doctor took the hand in his; his
fingers trembled at the touch.
1t was u lady's hand, small, beauti-
fully moulded, and its pure white set
off by 4 magnificent ruby encircled with
diamonds.
But, cried the doctor, ''there is no
need of amputation; nothing is
And /. sir, | say" thundered the
other, ''if You refuse | will do it my
srlf. and SeiZing hatchet, he drew
the hahd toward small table and seem
ed about to strike. The doctor arrested
his arm.
''llo your duty then, doctor"
''Uh, but this is an atrociOus act" -"
said the surgeon.
What is that 10 you? 1t must be
done. | wish it; madam wishes il also;
if neC eCeSS;lry she will demand it herself.
Come, madam, request the doctor to do
you this SERVICE
Tie doctor, nOnpluSsed, and almost
fainting under the torture of his feel
lngs, heard from the alcoye, in half
expiring voice and an inexpresSible ac-
cent Of despair and resignation:
''SIr, since You are surgeon-yes-I
entreat you-let it be You and not-Oh,
yes; YOU! you. in mercy"
well. DOCTOR" said the man, ':you
or f."
The resolution of this man was 81
frightful, and the prayer Of the poor
lady So full of entreaty and despair that
the doctor felt that even humanity coin
mandcd of him compliance with the ap-
peal Of the victim.
He took his instrument with 4 last
look at the unknown, who
only pointed to the hand, and then with
a sinking heart began the operation.
For the first time in his experience his
hand trembled; but the knife was doing
its work.
There was 4 cry from the alcove, and
then all was silent. Nothing was heard
but the hOrrid sound of the operation
till the hand and the saw fell on the
llDOr.
Lisfranc wore the ruby on his watch
Cham, where it was seen by the young
hover on his return to Paris, and out of
il grew duel that led to the disclosure
Of the infamous crime.
The morning after the young lovers
arrival at the capital he was presented |
by man in livery with an ebony box. !
opening it he discovered q bleeding |
land, Matilda's and on it paper with
pieSe words:
See how the Countess of - keeps |
ier OATH