The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-08-24
MY HOUR OF PERIL.

Some thought me plain, many passa-
BILE. and a few decidedly handsome.
Whether or not J could lay just claim to
beauty, am unable to say, but certain
it was, at eighteen, the honor and pleas
ure of my alliance was solicited by two
individuals, whose birth, education and
position in life, might have secured Tor
them a hand, in a pecunlary point OF
view, tar more desirable than mine.
Herbert Stanley was young man, hand
some, rich, accomplished, talented, and
in every way a most eligible match.
George Morgan, my second suitor was
lawyer from the thriving town OF
G.. He was neither brilliant nor
particularly prepossessing in his personal
appearance, but he stood well In his pro-
fession, and had acquired some proper
ty. and established for himself one of the
finest and most unexceptionable charac
acters, and to him my heart inclined.
We were married, and l returned With
him to his pleasant home In G..
Twelve years OF conjugal happiness, such
as seldom falls to the lot Of mortals, had
passed over our heads, and two little
ones had been given to US, to unite our
hearts more closely, and to bring fresh
joy and sunlight into our happy cheer
full home. 1t was on an August after
noon, unusually warm and sultry, that l
was sitting by the open window of my
little parlor, busily plying my needle.
My children were away passing the day
with a friend, and Mr.. Morgan was at
his Office. He had informed me in the
morning that important business called
him to New York, and that it was his
intention to leave on the evening boat,
and my fingers were flying to get the last
stitches set in some clothes he was to taks
with him.
| had been setting some time wholly
engaged in my work, when [ heard the
creaking Of the front door upon its hing
es, slowly opened and closed again then
upon my ear. I caught glimpse of a
shadow on the floor Hastily throwing
aside my sewing, l arose to ascertain by
whom and for what / was thus unexpect-
eddy visited, but before ] had time to ad.
vance step, the tall, powerful figure Of
man stood in the doorway.
One glance at the new comer's face
WAS enough to drive all the color from
my lips and cheeks, and make the very
blood freeze in my veins and my knees
smite one against the other.
1t was Herbert Stanley I had moi
seen him since the night of his rejection
twelve years before. But | had heard
from time to time, that life had gone
variously with him; that he had met
with heavy losses IN business, which hao
brought on mental arrangement, and fol
some months he had been considered a.
hopelessly insane. He had now escaped
from the asylum where he had been con
fined, and had come to pay visit to me
the subject of his early love- His heaC
and feet were bare. A pair of coars
blue pants and plaid calico were hi
only attire. His long disheveled blacl
hair fell far down upon his shoulders
and in the red Gather uniting belt which
fancifnlly eGcircled his waist, pistol anC
bowie knife We're distinctly visible. A
fierce CLEAN of wild delight shot from hi:
dark eyes as they fell upon me.
Seizing the knife in one hand he bran
dished it over his head. end with laugh
loud and diaboical. he drew it severa
times across his throat and forehead, anC
| was III momentary expectation OF seeing
q frightful wound Inflicted,
Laura Moore, he exclaimed, Moor
was my maiden name), when you wer,
young and handsome, l loved you, ador
ed you as no man ever before adorec
woman; but you seorned MY love, yor
spurned me from you; you smiled era
ciousiy upon my hated rivafand you gave
him the precIovs treasure of your heart
but I've got you now You refused I,
be my bride on earth you shall be min,
in Heaven Thither am I going, anc
you shall accompany me ! Well con
sumnlate our vows here, and to the ce
lestial abodes of Paradise well go togeth
er. Here Is the instrument that vii
take us there -
Saying this. he advanced with rapit
strides toward me, secured me by til,
arm, fourlshed the deadly weapon dex
trousiy oyer my head, brought the blunt
edge directly across my throat, and fel
back 10 the door, and stood gazing upor
me with. those wild, glaring eyes of his
until the blood froze In my veins.
| essayed to rise, but terror rendered
me poweriess. 1t seemed as If every
muscle denied me, I glance6 toward the
door. Herbert Stanley must have inter.
preted that glance.
"You cannot escape" he exclaimed
exultingly: Il have taken care to prevent