The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-03-03
The Model for n Marble Hand.


to the French throne, many of Napol-
cons soldiers were left in comparative
poverty. One of theL., famous Gen
cral, had beautiful daughter whom he
wished to marry rich, but who fell in
love with poor young man-an under
secretary or something of that kind.
She married at her fathers request q
rich Count, but refused at the wedding
ceremony to allow the ring to be placed
upon her left hand, upon which she
wore ruby. put there by her lover.
Her jealous husband was not long in
finding out what was the matter, and,
lntcrcopting Il letter in which the ardent
young lover claimed Matilda's hand as
his, he determined upon an awful re-
vcngc.
One night rs tho celebrated surgeon
Llsfrancc was returning from a profess
sional visit, he was captured by party
of men, blindfoldcd and taken to n dis
tant palace, and led through a labyrinth
of passages and rooms, At length his
conductor, stopping, said: Doctor, wo
have arrived; remove your bandage."
The doctor, whose fears had given place
to II restless curiosity and vague ap-
prehcnsion, obcyed, and found himself
in small chamber furnished with re-
markablc luxury, and half lit by an
alabastcr lamp hung from tho ceiling
The windows were Theoretically sealed
rs well rs the curtains of an alcove Mt
the end of the room.
Here the doctor found himself alone
with one of his abductors. Ho was q
man of imposing height and command
ing air, and his whole exterior of the
most aristocratic stamp. His black
eyes CLEANED through the half mask
that covered the upper part Of his face,
and nervous agitation shook his color
less lips, and the thick black beard that
Unframed the lower. Doctor" said
he, in an abrupt, loud voice, prepare
Tor your work-an amputation."
"Whcrc is The paticnt?' asked the doc
tor, turning toward the alcove The
curtains moved slightly, and he heard y
stiiled sigh. Prepare, SIR" SAID the
man convulsvcly. But, sir, l must
sec the patient" You will sec only
the hand you are to cut Off" The doc
tor, folding his arms and looking firmly
mt the other. said: "Sir you brought me
here by force. If you need my profess
slonal assistance | shall do my duty
without caring for that or troubling my
Sell about your secrets; but If you wish
to commit crime you can not force mo
to be your accomplicc." "Be content,
Sir, replied the other, there is no
crime in this" and leading him to the
alcovc he drew from the curtains a
hand. ut Is this you are to cut OFF,"
The doctor took the hand in his; his
fingers trcmbled ut the touch. 1t was a
ladys hand. small, beautifully nodded
and Its pure white set off by magnii-
rt,l,y Il ..t
but, cried the doctor, "therc is no
need of amputation; nothing is"
And |, sir! | say" Numbered the
other "if you refuse | will do itmysclf,"
and, scizing Il hatchct, he drew the hand
toward a small table and seemed about
TO strike. The doctor arrested his arm.
"Do your duty then, doctor" "Oh,
but this is an atrocious act" said the
surgeon. "What is that to YOU? It
must be done. | wish it; madam wishes
1t also; if necessary she ,,ll demand it
herself. Come, madam, request the
doctor 10 do you this service" The
doctor, nonpluscd, and almost faintinr
under the torture of his feelings, heard
from the nlCovc, in II huu-Cxpir!nr
voice and IN inrNprcssblc accent OF de-
spair and resignation: "Sir, since YOU
are a surgeon Yes i cntrra' you-lct
II be you and not Oh yes: YOU. You.
in mcrcy! "WclI, doctor" said tho
man, you or |.
the resolution OF this man was so
frightful, the prayer ot the poor lady so
full of cntrcaty and despair, that the
doctor felt that even humanity com
manded Of him complancn with tic
appeal Of the victim. He took his in
SuImcnt' with last impio"ing look at
the unknown, who only pointed to tho
hand, and then with sinking heart
began the operation. For the first time
in his experience his hand trcmblcd;
but the kn!l; Was doing lis work There
was cry from the alcoye, and then air
was silent. Nothing was heard but
the horrid sound OF the operation till
the hand and the saw fell together on
the floor.
Lisfrancc wore the ruby upon his
watch chain. where il was seen by the
Young lover on ha return to Paris, and
out Of it grew II duel that led to the dis
closure OF the infamous crime. The
morning after the young lovers arrival
ut the capital he was presented by
man in livery with an ebony box.
Opening it he discovered bleeding
hand, Matilda's, and on it paper with
these words: "Sco how tho Count of -
keeps his oath" After the duel tho
young man feed to Brussels, where the
bleeding hand was transferred to can
vas. Hart seeing the painting copied
it in marble. LeEingion (Ky) Letter
TO Cincinnati E"qaiycr.
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An Extra Ounrtcr noddlcr of tin