Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-07-07
a W0MAN'S HAND.
ThrIlllng story Of Jealous Revene,

After the restoration OF Louis Philippe
to the French throne. many OF Napo-
Icons soldiers werc left IN comparative
poverty,
One of them, famous general. had
beautiful daughter whom he wished to
marry rich. but who fell In love with q
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
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 tllcwas matter. ahd inter
cepting letter in which the ardent young
lover claimed Matilda's hand as his, he
determined upon an awful revenge.
One night as the celebrated surgeon,
Lisfranc, was returning from a profess
sional visit. ho was captured by party
of men, blindfolded and taken to a
distant palace and led through q laby-
rinth of passages and rooms.
At last he found himself IN d small
chamber furnished with remarkable lux
ury, and half lit by an alahastcr lamp
hung from the ceiling. The windows
were Theoretically scaled, as we'll rs
curtains of an alcoye at the end OF
the room
Doctor, said tho man with whom no
now found himself alone, in an abrupt,
loud voicc. prepare for your work--an
amputatian,a
Where is the patlentsn asked tho
doctor, turning toward the alcove. The
curtains moved slightly, and he heard
stiflcd sigh.
Prepare. sir, said the man, convul-
sively.
But. sir. must SEQ the patient"
. You will sec only the hand you are to
cut off.
The doctor, folding his arms and look
ing firmly ut 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 ii you wish to commit d crime
you cannot force me to be your accom-
plicc.
Be content, SIR replied the other,
there is no crime in this; and lead
ing him to the alcove he drew from the
curtains a hand.
:" 1t is this you are to cut off
The doctor took the hand In his; his
fingers trembled at the touch.
It was a lady's hand, small, beauti-
fully moulded, and its pure white set
off by magnificent ruby encircled
with diamonds.
. But" cried the doctor, ssthere is no
need of amputation; nothing is
And i, sir / say" thundered the
othcr, " II you refuse will do it my
SELF" and seizing O hatchet, 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. I wish it; madam wishes it also !;
If necessary she will demand it herself
Come, madam, request the doctor to do
you this service"
The doctor. nonplused, and almost
fainting under the torture Of his feelings,
heard from the alcoye, in half-expiring
voice and an inexpressible accent Of de-
spair and resignation:
Sir, since you are surgeon-yes-I
entreat you--let it be you and not-oI,
yes; youI you! in mercyF'
Well, doctor" said the man. you
or I.
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
mauueu Oh aim compliance WIN tue ap-
peal of the victim.
He took his instrument with last
iIaploring look at the unknown, who
only pointed to the hand, and then with
o sinking heart began the operation.
For the first time in his experience his
hand trembled; but the knife was doing
its work
There was 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
floor..
Lisfranc wore the ruby on his watch
chain, where it was seen by the young
lover on his return to Paris, and out Of
it 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
q man In livery with an ebony box.
Opening 1t Undiscovered q bleeding hand,
Matllda's, and on It q paper with these
words:
" See how the Countess Of - keeps
her oath.