Year: 1877

disagreeable apprehension he returned, ad-
vancing, and taking seat on the sofa oppo-
site me, where for few moments he eyed me
from head to foot with strange glittering
light in his eyes that mysteriously impressed
me. You have remarkably fine physique,
Madame he observed quietly; 'one that
might deceive the most skilled and practical
physician. Do you suffer much painT


"Unable to speak, shook my head. A
terrible suspicion was creeping over me. l
was alone, miles away from any aid or rescue,
with madman.


"Ah3" be continued reAectively, your hus'
band may have mistaken tumor for can
Ger. Allow me to feel your pulse he said,
rising and bending over me.


II thought it best to humor him, remember
ing it was unwise for helpless woman to op-
pose the as yet harmless freak of lunatic.
He took out his watch, shook his head grave
ly, laid my hand down gently, then went to-
ward the study, where on the table, was an
open case of surgical instruments.


"'Do not be alarmed, madame he said
to me as I was about to rise and flee, and in
another instant be was by my side, with the
case in his possession.


Involuntarily raised my hand and cried ::


"'Spare me! Oh! spare me, / beseech
youw


Madame he said sternly, clasping my
wrist with his long sinewy fingers, with grip
of steel, you behave like child. have no
time to parley, for 1 have received letter
from the Emperor of the French stating that
he is suffering from an lilac abscess, and is
very desirous of my attendance. l must start
to Europe Immediately after operating upon
your breast and before I could make the
slightest resistance, he had me in his arms,
and was carrying me into the study, where
there was long table covered with green
baize. On this he laid me, and holding me
down with one hand with the strength ma
MAC, he brought forth from some hidden re.
cess in his gown several leather straps, with
which he secured me to the table with the
skill of an expert. 1t was but the work Of a
moment to unloose my robe and bare my bos-
ON. Then, after carefully examining my left
breast, he said: '''-..'


Madame, your husband has made a mis-.
take. find no necessity for my intended
operation ,,.......


''At this, gave long drawn sigh of re.
lief and prepared to rise.


"'But,' he continued, Il have discovered
that your heart is as large as that of an OK
will remove it. 80 that you may see for your
self, reduce it to its natural size BY curious
process of my own, unknown to the medical
science, and of which l am the discoverer,
and then replace it again.


"He then began to examine the cruel knife,
on which closed my eyes, while every nerve
was in perceptible treGor., g.l H..


"'The mechanism of the heart is like
watch he resumed; if it goes too fast, the
great blood.vessel that supplies the force must
be stopped like the lever Of watch, and the
works must be cleaned, repaired and regula.
ted ..' -"


cit may interest you to know that was
present at the post-m examination held
over the remains of the beautiful Louise of
Prussia. Had I been consulted before her
death, I would have saved her life by taking
out her heart, and removing the polypi, be-
tween which it was firmly wedged, like as if
in vice but I was called too late The
King and myself had little difference ; he
was German, am French. trust that is
sufficient explanation.


"He now bent over me, his long, white
beard brushing my face. | raised my eyes
beseechingly, trying to think of some way to
save myself. Oh! sir, give me an aesthetic,
that may not feel the pain" l pleaded.


"'Iudeed, indeed, madame, l would comply
with your wish, were you not the wife Of
physician-of skillfuI surgeon. I wish you
to note with what ease perform this difficult
operation, so that you may tell your husband
of the great savant whose services he secured
fortunately in season.


"As he said this be made the final test of
the knife on his thumb. How precious were
the moments now: They we're fleeing all too
fast, and yet an eternity seemed comprehend
ed in every one | never tainted in my life,
and never felt less like swooning than now,
as I summoned all my presence Of mind to
delay the fearful moment, fervently praying
in the meantime for my husbands return.


"Docter,' said l, with assumed composure.
I have the utmost confidence in your skill
| would not trust my life to another; but,
doctor, you have forgotten to bring napkin
to staxnch the blood. If you will have the
goodness to ascend to my sleeping chamber,
at the right of the hall, you will find every
thing you need for that purpose in the bu'
reau.'


"Ah, madame he said, shaking his head
sagacously, I never draw blood during
surgical operation that is another one of my
secrets unknown to the faculty.


"Then placing his hand upon my bosom,
he added, with horrible espieglerie:


"'I'll scarcely mar that whittier skin than
snow, and smooth as monumental alabaster.'


40, God!" 1 cried, as I felt the cold steel
touch nv breast but with the same breath
came deliverance.


"Quick as thought heavy woolen piano
cover was thrown over the head and person
of the madman, and bound tightly around
him. As quickly was l released, and the
thongs that bound me soon held the maniac.


"My husband held me in his arms. He
had noiselessly approached, and taking the
horror of my situation at a glance, had ny
the only means at hand secured the madman,
who was the very patient he had been sum-
moned to attend, but who had escaped the
vigilance of the keeper soon after the depart
ure 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 euvious of my great skill as a surgeon
Adieur l afterwards learned that the man
was once an eminent surgeon in Europe, but
much learning had made him mad. When
he bound me to that table my hair was as
black as raven; when / left, it was as you
see il now-white as full blown cotton.


DETERMINED TO BE ExACT.-A school
master, after giving one of his scholars sound