Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-08-02

perceive he added, glaneing at my
negligee robe, that you were expect
ing me-"
No" I found voice to stammer;
"the doctor has said nothing to me
about a visitor at this hour of the
night"
"Ah! he wished to spare you, no
doubt, disagreeable apprehension"
he returned. advancing and taking a
seat on the sofa opposite me, where for
few moments he sat and eyed me from
head to foot with a strange, glittering
light in his eyes that mysteriously i'm
pressed me. you have a remarkably
fine physique, madam" he observed,
quietly; zone that might deceive the
eyes of the most skilled and practiced
physician. Do you suffer much pain?'
Unable to speak, shook my head. a
terrible suspicion was creeping over
me. was alone, miles away from aid
or rescue, with a mailman.
All" he continued, refectively,
your husband may have mistaken
tumor for a cancer. Allow me to feel
your pulse he said, rising and bend
ing over me.
1 thought il best TO humor him, re-
Numbering it was unwise for a help
less woman to oppose the as yet harm
less freak of lunatic. He took out his
watch, shook his head gravely, laid my
hand down gently, and then went to-
ward the study, where on the table was
an open case of surgical instruments.
Involuntarily l raised my head and
cried: Spare me! Oh, spare me, I be
sech you!'
Madam" he said, sternly, clasping
my wrist with his long, sinewy fingers
with a grip Of steel. you behave ike
child. I have no time TO parley, for l
have received a letter from the emper-
or Of the French, stating that he is de-
sirous of my attendance. must start
for Europe Immediately after perform
ing the operation on your breast, and,
before I could make the slightest re-
sistance. he had me in his arms, and
was carrying me into the study, where
was a long surgical table. covered with
green baize. On this he laid me, and
holding me down with one hand, with
the strength Of a maniac, he brought
forth long leather straps. which
bore evidence Of having recently been
cut. with which he secured me to the
table with the skill of an expert. 1t
was but the work of a moment to I'M
loose my robe and bare my bosom.
Then, after carefully examining my
left breast. he said:
Madam, your husband has made a
mistake. I find no necessity for my
intended operation"
At this I gave a long-drawn sigh OF
relief, and prepared to rise.
But" he continued, 81 have made the
discovery that your heart is as large as
that of an OK! win remove it, so that
you can see for yourself, reduce il to it's
natural size by a curious process of my
own unknown TO medical science, and
Of which I am sole discoyerer, then re-
place it again"
He began 10 examine the edge Of the
cruel knife, on which closed my eyes,
while every nerve was in perceptible
tremor.
He now bent over me, his long, white
beard brushing my face. l opened my |
eyes beseechingly, trying to think of |
some way TO save myself. "Oh, sir, give
me an anaesthetic, that may not feel /
the pain. pleaded.
Indeed, indeed, madam, I would /
comply with your wish were you not /
the wife of a physician-of skillful /
surgeon. wish you 10 note with what |
ease I perform this difficult operation.
so that you may tell your husband of .
the great savant whose services he Sc
cured. fortunately in season
As he said this he made the final test |
OF the knife on his thumb. How pre- /
cious were the moments now! They /
were leeting all too fast, and yet an |
eternity seemed compressed in every /
one. never tainted in my life, and I.
never felt less like swooning than now, /
as 7 summoned all nv presence Of mind /
70 delay the fearful moment, fervently +
praving in the meantime for my hus-
bands return.
Doctor" said 7. with assumed COM /
posure. ~ have the utmost confidence I
in your skin: / would not trust my life /
&c another: but, doctor, you have for
gotten TO bring napkin to staneh the
blood. II you will have the goodness /
10 ascend to my sleeping chamber, AZ .
the right Of the hall, you will find /
everything you need for that purpose
in the bureau
"Ah. madam" he said, shaking his
head sagaciously, 81 never draw blood /
during a surgical operation; that is
another one Of my secrets unknown to
the faculty"
Then. placing his hand on my bosom
he added. with horrible espieglerie:
IN scarcely mark that skin whittier
than snow. and smooth as monumental
alabaster.'
20 God." cried, rs felt the cold
steel touch my breast; but with the
same breath came deliyeranee.
Quick as thought a heavy wooden
piano-cover was thrown over the head