Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-07-03
4 W0MAN'S HAND.
Thrilling story OF jealous Revenge.

After tho restoration OF Louis Philippe
to the French throne, many of Napo-
Icons soldiers were left In comparative
poverty!
One Of them, famous general. had
beautiful daughter whom he wished to
marty ficht but who fell In. love with
poor young man-an under secretary or
something of that kind.
She married at her fathers request
rich count, but refused at the wedding
ceremony to allow the ring To be placed
on her left hand upon which she wore
ruby. put there by her lover.
Her jealous husband was not long In
finding out what the was matter. and inter
cepting letter in which the ardent young
lover claimed Matilda's hand MS his, he
determined upon all awful revenge.
One n ght as the celebrated surgeon.
Lisfrnnc, was returning from a profess
sional visit, he was captured by party
of men, blindfolded and taken to a
distant palace, and led through laby-
rinth OF passages and rooms.
At last he found himself In q small
chamber furnished with remarkable lux
ury, and half lit by an alabaster lamp
hung from the ceiling. The windows
were Theoretically sealed, as well as
curtains of an alcove at the end Of
the room.
Doctor" said tho man with whom he
now found himself alone, in an abrupt.
loud voice, prepare for your work-an
amputation."
"Where Is tho patient?" asked the
DOCTOR turning toward the alcove. The
curtains moved slightly. and he heard a
stiflcd sigh.
Prepare, Sill" said the man, convul-
sively.
But, sir, ! must see the patient"
You will see only the hand you are to
cut Off"
The doctor, folding his arms and look
ing firmly at the other, saidi
Sir, you brought me here by force.
n you need my professional assistance
shall do my duty without caring for,
or troubling myself about your secrets
but IL YOU wish to commit crime
you cannot force me to be your accom-
pllce."
Be content, SIR" replied the other,
"thcrc Is no crime in this" and lead
ing him to the alcove he drew from the
curtains q hand.
1T Is this you are TO cut off,"
The doctor took the hand in his; his
fingers trembled at the touch.
1t was lady's hand, small, beauti-
fully moulded, and its pure white set
off by magnificent ruby encircled
with diamonds.
But" cried the doctor "there is no
need of amputation; nothing is"
And l, sir say" Numbered the
other, "if you refuse I will do it my.
self" and selling q Ratchet, 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, sale
tho surgeon.
What is that to your 1t must l.,
done. wish it madam wishes it also
il necessary she will demand 1t herself
Come, madam. request the doctor to de
you this service"
The do, tor, nonplused. and almos
fainting under the torture Of his feelings
heard from the alcove, in n half-expirint
voice and an inexpressible accent of dc
spar and resignation:
"Sir, since you are a surgeon-ycS-
entrcat you-let it be you and notch
yes; you! you! In mercy!'
"wcn. Doctor" said the man, "yo'
orI."
The resolution OF this man was 6,
frightfui and the prayer OF the poo
lady SO full OF entreaty and despair tina
the doctor felt that even humanity com
mandcd OF him compliance with the az
peal Of the victim.
He took his instrument with d las
imploring look at the unknown, VIII
only pointed TO the hand, and then wit
a sinking heart began the operation
For the first time In his experience hi
hand trembed; but the knife was doin
its work.
There was q cry from the alcote, an
then all was SILENT Nothing was hear
but the horrid sound of the operation
till the hand and the saw fell on tn
loort
Lisfranc wore tho ruby on his watch
chain, where it was seen by the youn
lover on his return to Paris and out o
1t grew duel that led to the disclosur
Of the Infamous crime.
The morning after the young lover
arrival at the capital he was presented /,
man in livery with an ebony box
Opening 1t he discovered bleeding hand
Matilda's, and on it paper with thes
words:
See how the Countess Of --- keep
her oath ="