Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1893-08-16


after which the carriage door was
opened, and l found myself suddenly
carried along.
l felt by the change of temperature
we were in house, and / was finally
placed on my feet on n soft carpet, In a
luNuriously furnished apartment, with
the bandage removed from my eyes.
In another moment the door opened
and gentleman advanced toward me.
He was young man, perhaps about
thirty. with very dark hair and eyes,
and dark short beard and mustache.
You are come, sir" he said. in good
English, but marked by slightly for
eign accent, Ito render an inestimable
service 10 me and another"
bowed, but said l was as yet ignor-
ant Of the nature of the required serv-
ice,
1T is" he replied, cycling me closely,
"a mere surgical operation-a case of
amputation."
In that case said, Il regret that
l was not warned in time. My instru-
ments-"
Are already here, said the gentle
man, 70 my infinite surprise And"
he added. you shall now see your pa
ticut."
So saying, he drew aside some thick
velvet curtains ut the end OF the room.
and ushered me into a sort of recess.
when 1 saw on table my own case of
| Instruments.
You will excuse the liberty took, :"
said my strange employer; but fancy
every one works best with his own
| tools. Here is Your patient"
Opening side door, he led out the
I most beautiful woman have ever seen.
She was not in the bloom Of girlhood;
but her figure was as faultless rs her
/ face, the loosc-hanging drapery of white
set it off strangely and added to the
| beauty of the lovely features, which
| were framed in masses of silllen dark
/ hair.
As she raised her liquid eyes to mine
the glow OF her beauty seemed TO per-
I wade my soul
This lady said her companion,
\ when my silent presentation was over,
desires of YOU the service of amputat-
I ing her hand"
So saying, he raised one of her small
/ white hands on which there sparlSled
very large diamond
Her hand" I repeated. in astonish-
ment. Her hand! But surely there
/ is no disease. Allow me" and pressed
/ forward TO examine it-that warm, liv-
| ing hand; il sent u thrill through me as
/ l touched il.
could discover nothing; the shape.
the skin, the state altogether was per-
feet
/ said as much, both to her-who
stood quite motionless during nv in
vcstigation-and to him, who stood
watching me with a cold, rather con-
/ temptuous smile.
That may be-" was the reply.
I Nevertheless, the fact remains the
same; and / shall be obliged to you to
begin the operation"
or course l at once peremptorily re-
I fused, and he heard my speech to the
end with the same contemptuous smile.
Nevertheless" he then once more
exclaimed, lit must be done. 1t re-
mains for You, madam" he contin-
ued, turning TO the lady, ITO express
your wisacs on the subject, and, that
tuis gentleman may see there is no un-
ia-r dealing on my part, l will leave
, The r7on while you do So"
e. zone with the lady, / was beginning
b 70 assure her that my services were at
. her command and to entreat her not to
/ su omit 20 such barbarity, when she in
/ terrupted me with n wave Of her hand
Il thanl, you sir" she said, but
can assure you that you can best serve
me by complying with my earnest wish
I TO have my hand removed. I have
heard Of your skill, " she added, with a
I - 81 IN ma
/ to unnecessary suffering; and the soon
er you begin the more you viii oblige
me. Your continual refusal will only
force me 10 apply to one less skillful.
Feel my pulse" she said extending
her other hand to me; you will find it
/ quite composed and steady ! am no
child that I cannot bear pain I swear
/ by all hold most sacred that this hand
must fall tonight, if not by you. by an
! other. Now. she said, rcsuming the
| quiet, cold tone, which she had changed
I 20 solemn, impassioncd one while
making her oath nov 1 think you
\ viii consent
/ And, opening the door, she observed:
| The operation is going 20 begin"
I She drew chair 90 the table. threw
back her long hanging sleeve and calm
\ ly waited Tor me 90 commence
I At her call the gentleman had seen
/ before rccnt-red the room. followed bv
/ another. iu whose features ! fanc.ei !
traced those OF Che eha,scur
'lt win not Doe necessary to hold mo.
she said 20 'h.m @. thcv advanced.
+ apparently with bat intention
They stood .r. behind her chair.
T while mechanically. f..#.. ...,. ..