The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-27
A woMAN's HAND.
lExchWnge.l


 , Aker the restoration of Louis Philippe to the French throne, many of Napo- leou's soldiers were left m comparative poverty Oae of them, famous general, had beautiful daughter whom he wished to marry rich, but who fell in love with poor young mAn-an under-secrctAry or something ofthas kiad. She married at her fathers request a rich count, but re fused at the wedding ceremony to allow the ring 10 be placed ou her left hand, upon which she wore ruby, put there oy her lover Her jealous husband was not long in t lding out what vas the matter, and, intercep;ing a letter In which the ar- dent young lover claimed Matiida's hand .s his, he determined upon an awful re- veoge
 One night as the celebrated surgeon. usiranc, was returning rom a profes' sional visit, he was captured by party of men, blindfotded and taken to dis taut palace, aud led through a labyrinth of passages and rooms. At last he found himself in a small chamber furnished with remarkable luxury, and half lit by an alabAster lamp hung from the ceiling. The windows wore hesmetically sealed, ss well ss the curtains of an alcove at the cad of the room.
 Doctor" said the m an with whom he now found himself alone, in an abrupt, loud voice. prepare for your work-an smpusattou."
 "Where is the patient?' asked the doctor, turning toward the aleove. The curtains moved slighty, and he heard a stuffed sigh.
 "Prepare, sir" said the man, couvul' sively.
 "Bat, sir, I must sec the patient"
 "Yuu will sec only the hand you are to cut of"
 The doctor, folding his arms aad look ing firmly at the other, said Sir, you brought me here by force. If you need my professional assistance 1 shall do my duty without caring for, or troubling my. self about your seoets but If you wish to commit crime you cannot fo.ce me to be your accomplice."
 Be content, sir" replied the other "there Is no crime iu this ;" and leading him to tue aicove he drew from the cur taius hand, 1t is this you are to cat oil"
 The doctor took the hand in his his fingers trembled at the touch. It was a lady's hand, smal,, beautifully moulded ard it's pure white set of by magui6- cent ruby encircled with diamonds.
 "But,' cried the doctor, there IS no need of amputation nothing is"
 And I, sirl say," thundered the other, If you refuse will do 1t myself, " and seizing a hatchet, he drew the hand toward small table and seemed about to strike. The doctor arrested his arm. Do your duty then, doctor"
 "OA, but this is an atiocious act" said the surgeon.
 "What Is that to you2 It must be done, wish 1t; madam wishes it also if necessary she will demand it herself Come, madam, request the doctor to do you this service"
 The doctor, nonplused, aad almost fainting under the torture of his feelings heard from the alcove, in halfexpiring voice and an inexpressible accent of de- spair and resignation
 "Sir, since you are surgeou-yes-l entreat you-let it be you and not-oh yes you you! in mercyw
 Well, doctor" said the man, "you or l."
 The resolution of this man was so frightful, and the prayer of the poor lady so full of entreaty and despair that the doctor felt that even humanity com manded of him compliance with the ap- peal of the victim. He took his instru. ments with last imploring look at the unkn own, who only pointed to the hand and then with sinking heart began the operation. For the first time in his ex perience his hand irembled but the knife vas doing its work. There was a 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 teii together on the floor.
 L'sfranc wore the ruby on his watch cham, where it was seen by the young lover on his return to Paris, and out of |, grew duel that led to the disclosure oi the infamous crime. The morning after the young lovers arrival at the capital he was presented by a man in livery with ais ebony box Opening 1t he discovered a bleeding hand. Matilda's, and on it a paper with these words: See how the countess of - keeps her oath"