The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-09-15
my HOUR OF PERIL.

some tnOuSnt me pltlii, many pass-
ably, and few decidedly handsome.
Whether or not | could lay just claim
to beauty, i am unable to say, but GER
tain it was, at eighteen, the honor and
pleasure of my alliance was solicited
by two individuals, whose birth, edu-
cation and position in life might have
secured for them a hand, in . pecu-
mary point Of view, far more desira-
BILE than mine. Herbert Stanley was
young man, handsome, rich, accom-
plished, talented, and in every way a
most eligible match. George Nor
gan, my second suitor, was lawyer
from the thriving town of c.. lie
was neither brilliant nor particularly
prepossessing in personal appearance,
but he stood well in his profession,
and acquired some property, and had
established for himself one of the
finest and most unexceptionable char
acters, and TO him my heart inclined.
We were married, and | returned
with him to his pleasant home in g..
Twelve years OF conjugal happiness,
such as seldom falls 20 the lot OF NOR
tails, had passed our heads, and two
little ones had been given Us, TO unite
more closely, and TO bring fresh joy
and sunlight into our happy, cheerful
home. IL was on an August after
noon, unusually warm and sultry, that
/ was sitting by the open window OF
my little parlor, busily plying my nee
die. My children were away, passing
the day witha friend, and Mr.. Morgan
was at his Office. He had informed
me in the morning thatimportant bus.
mess called him to New York, and
that il 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 take with him.
had been sitting some time wholly
engaged in my work, when heard the
creakmg of the front door upon its
hinges, and it slowly opened and
closed again; and then stealthy steps
in the hall fell upon my ear. lcaught
glimpse OF a shadow on the floor.
Hastily throwing aside my sewing, !
arose to see by whom and for what |
was thus unexpectedly visited but
before / had time to advance step,
the tall, powerful figure OF n man
stood in the doorway.
One glance at the new comer's face
was enough to drive ell the color from
my lips and checks. and make my
very blood freeze in my veins and my
knees smite one against the other.
1t was Herbert Stanley. I had not
seen him since the night of his rcjec-
ton, twelve years before. But | had
heard from time TO time that life had
gone variousIy with him; that he had
met with heavy losses in business,
which had brought on mental de-
rangement, and for some months he
had been regarded as hopelessly in
sane. He had now escaped from the
asylum where he had been confined,
and had come TO paya visit to me, the
object of his early love. His head
and feet were bare. 4 pair of coarse
blue pants and plaid calico shir.
were his only attire. His long, di-
sheyeled black hair fell far down upon
his shoulders, and in the red leather
hunting belt, which fancifully encircled
his waist, a pistol and bowie knife
were distinctly visible. A fierce gleam
of wild delight shot from his dark
eyes as they fell upon me.
Selling the knife in one hand, he
brandished it over bis head, and with
a laugh loud and diabolical, he drew
it several times across his throat and
forehead, and was il momentary ex-
pectation Of seeing frightful wound
inflicted.
Laura Moore" he exclaimed
Moore was my maiden namel, .'when
you were young and handsome lloyed
you, adored you as man never before
adored woman; but you srorned my
love, you spurned me from you; you
smiled graciously upon my hated
rival, and you gave him the precious
treasure of your heart, but I've got
you now! You refused to be my
bride on earth, you shall be mine in
heaven! Thither l am going, and
you shall accompany me Wen con
summate our vows here, and to the
celestial abodes of Paradise well &c
together. Here is the instrumen,
that will take us theren
Saying this, he advanced with rapid
strides toward me, secured me by the
arm, and fiourished the deadly weap
on dexterously over my head, brought
the blunt edge directly across ms
throat, and then fell back to the door
and stood gazing upon me with those
wild, glaring eyes of his, until ths
blood froze in my veins.
! l essayed to rise, but terror ren
dered me powerless. 1t seemed as i
every muscle denied me. | glanced
toward the door. Herbert Stanle,
must have interpreted that glance.
"You cannot escape me-" he ex
claimed, exultingly; 81 have taker
care to prevent that. I've fastened
the east door, and there is the key t.
the 'front.'"
And he took from his pocket larg
brass key, and held it up triumphant.
before me.
| All possibility of escape was thu
cut off. | was in the power Of des
perate, merciless madman, bent on m,
destruction, as he had expressl,
avowed it, and that paralyzed ever.
nerve and muscle.
sGod help me in this hour of peril!
was the prayer that arose from m,
soul, for knew that no human powe
was near.
Again the madman advanced wit
the glittering blade quivering in hi
hand I felt the iron grasp ofhi