Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-22


an open case Of surgical INSTRUMENTS.
lnvoluniarily ! raised my head and
cried: Spare me! Oh. spare me. be-
sech you'll"
Madam" he said, sternly. clasping
my wrist with his long, sinewy fingers
with grip OF steel. "you behave like a
child. have no time to parlpy. for
have received a letter from the e:nper-
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 | could make the s,ichdret re-
sistance. he had me in lis aims, and
was carrying me into the study. where
was long surgical table. covered with
green baize. On this lie laid me- and
| holding me down with one hand. with
| the strength Of maniac he brought
| forth seyCrallong leather straps which
bore evidence Of having recently been
table with the skill of an expert. II
WIS hut The work of a moment to un-
loose my robe and bare my bosom.
Then. after carefully examining my
left breast. he said:
MADAM, your husband has made
mistake. find no necessity for my
intended operation"
At this l gave n long-drawn sigh OF
relief. and prepared to rise.
But" he continued have made the
discovery that your heart is as large as
that Of an OK! / will remove it, so that
you can see for yourself, reduce it to it's
natural size by curious process of my
own unknown to medical science, and
Of which ! am sole discoverer, then re-
place it again"
He began to 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 n physician-of skillful
surgeon, | wish you to note with what
ease perform this difficult operation.
so that you may tell your husband of
the great sayant 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 flseiing all too fast. and yet an
eternity seemed compressed in every
one. never tainted in my life, and
never felt less like swooning than now,
us summoned all my presence Of mind
TO delay the fearful moment. fervently
praying in the meantime for my hus-
bands return.
doctor" said I, with assumed conf
pcsure, 81 have the utmost confidence
in your skill; would not trust my life
to another; but, doctor. you have for
gotten to bring n napkin to stanch the
blood. II you will have the goodness
to ascend 10 my sleeping chamber, at
the right Of the hall. you will find
everything you need for that purpose
In the bureau"
"Ah, madam" he said. shaking his
head sagdciously, 81 never draw blood
during a surgical operations; that is
another one of my secrets unknown to
the faculty"
Then. placing his hand on my bosom,
he added, with horrible espieglerie:
NI'll gAur,a1.. -. II. A ..
than snow, and smooth as monumental
Alabaster."
30 Godl" cried, as felt the cold
steel touch my breast; but with the
same breath came deliverance.
Quick as thought a heavy wooden
piano-cover was thrown over the head
and person OF the madman, and bound
tightly around him. As quickly was
| released, and the thongs that bound
me soon held the maniac. My husband
held me in his arms. He had noiseless-
ly approached, and. taking in the hor-
ror OF my situation at a glance. had. by
the only means at hand, secured the
mailman, who was the very patient h.
had been summoned to attend. but
who had escaped the vigilance of his |
keeper soon after the departure OF the
messenger, who had now returned
with the doctor in pursuit of him. As
the poor wretch was being hurried |
away, he turned to me, and said: |
Madam, this is plot to rob me OF my !
reputation. Your husband is ynvious
OF my greu' Kill as surgeon. Adieu!"
afterward learned that the man was
once an eminent surgeon in Europe.
but much learning had made him mad.
When he bound me TO the table, nv |
hair was black as n raven: when left |
IT. II was as YOU see Il now-white as
tulEblown cotton, - San Francisco |
Argonaut