The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-17
TERRgsEE VENGEANCE.
a Jealous Husband Has the Hand of His
Wife Cut Off and Sent to Her Lover.


Wife Cut Off and Sent to Her Lover.
From London Exchange.
At the restoration of Louis Philippe to the
French throne many of NapoleOn's soldiers
were left in comparative psverty. One of
them, famous general, had beautiful daugh-
ter whom he wished to marry rich, but who
fell in love with poor young man-an under
secretary or something of that kind She mar
ried, at her fathers request rich count, but
refused at the wedding ceremony to allow the
ring TO be placed upon her left hand, upon
which she wore q 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 ardent young lover claimed
Matilda's hand as his, he determined upon an
awful revenge.
One night as the celebrated surgeon, Lis
franc, was returning from professional visit,
he was captured by party of men, blindfolded
and taken to distant palace, and led through
labyrinth of passages and rooms. AT last he
found himself in small chamber furnished
with remarkable luxury, and half-lit by an ala
baster lamp hung from the ceiling. The VIM
dowS were Dramatically sealed, as well as the
curtains Of an alcoye OF the end OF the room.
doctor" said the man with whom he now
found himself alone, in an abrupt, loud voice,
"prepare for your worll-an amputation."
where is the patient?" asked the doctor,
turning toward the alcove. The curtains moved
slightly, and lie heard a stifed sigh.
"Prcpare, sir" said the man, convulsively
'But, sir, must see the patient"
off,"
The doctor, folding his arms and looking
firmly at the other, said: "Sir, you brought me
here by force. Ii you need my professional as
sistance [ 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 accomplice.'
"Be content, sir" replied the other ''there
is no crime in this" and leading him to the al
cove lie drew from the curtain hand. at 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. beautifully modelled and its pure white
set off by magnificent ruby encircled with
diamonds.
But" cried the doctor, ''there is no need of
amputation; there is"
"And I, sir! 1 say" Numbered the other,
"if you refuse will do it rnyself"' and, Selling
a Ratchet, he drew the hand toward q small Ia
BILE and seemed about to strike. The doctor
arrested his arm. "Do your duty then doc
tor
80, but this is an atrocious act," said the
surgeon.
"What is that to you? 1t 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 nonplussed and almost fainting
under the torture of his feelings, heard from
the alcove in q half-expiring voice and an in
eXpressible accent Of despair and resignation:
Sir since you are surgeon-yes-l entreat
you-let it be you, and notch, yes, you! you!
in mercy"
well, Doctor" said the man, "you or I?'
The resolution Of this man was so frghtful,
and the prayer of the poor lady so full OF en-
treaty and despair, that the doctor felt that
even humanity commanded of him compliance
with the appeal of the victim. He took his
instruments with last imploring look at the
unknown, who only pointed to the hand, and
then with sinking heart began the operation.
For the first time in his experience his hand
tremblcd, but the knife was 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 fell together 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 a duel that
led to a disclosure Of the infamous crime. The
morning after the young lovers arrival at the
capital he was presented by a man in livery
with an ebony box. Opening it he discovered a
bleeding hand--Matilda 's-and on it a paper
with these words: 'See how the countess of
- keeps her oath"