The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-02-23

nv HOUR OF PERIL

able and q few decidedly handsome
Whether or not / could lay any JUS
claims toIpersonal beauty, ! am unable
to say; but certain 1t was, at eighteen
the honor and pleasure Of my alliance
was solicited by two individuals, whose
birth, education and position in lift
might have secured for them a hand, il
pecuniary point of view, far more de
sirable than mine. Herbert Stanley was
a young man, handsome, rich, accom-
plished, talented, and every way a most
eligible match, Scarcely had / recoy
cred from the surprise the unexpected
offer of his hand and heart occasioned
me, before another similar proposition
was made me. George Morgan, my
second sutton, was a lawyer, from the
thriving town of G.. He was
neither brilliant nor particularly pre-
possessing in his personal appearance,
but be stood well in his profession, and
had established for himself one of the
finest and most unexceptionable charac-
tiers, 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 to the lot of NOR
tails, 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 to our
happy, cheerful home. 1t was an Au-
gust afternoon, so unusually warm and
sultry, that I was sitting by the open
window of my little parlor, busily ply
ing my needle. Ny children were both
away, passing the day with 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 ii was his intention to
leave on the evening boat, and my fin
gers 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
creaking of the front door upon its
hinges, and it slowly opened and closed
again; then stealthy steps in the hall
fell distinctly On my ear. caught
glimpse of shadow on the floor, and,
hastily throwing aside my sewing, l
arose to ascertain by whom and for
what l was Unexpectedly visited; but
before had time to advance a step the
tall, powerful figure of q man stood in
the doorway.
= One glance into the newcomers 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
smote one against the other.
1t was Herbert Stanley. had not
seen him since the evening of his re-
lection, twelve years before. But l had
heard, from time to time, that life had
gone variously with him; that he had
met with heavy losses in business, had
become mentally deranged, and for sew l
eral months had been regarded as hope {
lessly insane. He had now escaped {
from the asylum where he was confined
and had come to pay me, the object of {
his early love. . visit. His head and I
feet were bare. A pair OF coarse blue I
pants and q plaid calico shirt were his |
only articles of attire. His long, dis &
hevelled black locks fell far down upon
MS shoulders, and in red-leather hunt &
ng belt which fancifully encircled his t
waist p pistol and the bright steel
blade Of q huge bowie-knife were dis Il
,mctly visible. A fierce CLEAN of wild s
ielight shot from bis dark eyes as they Il
ell upon me. 1T
I SEEING the knife in one hand, he ii
IL over his head, with a t.
augh long and diabolical, drew it sew a
raj times 80 nearly across his throat p
md forehead that v az in momentary v
Expectation Of seeing frightful wound
inflicted. a
Laura More,' he exclaimed more a
vas my maiden name), when YOU 8,
we're young and handsome loved you, d
dored you, as no man ever before e,
dored woman; but you scorned my t.
I'VE; you spurned me from you; you ia
niled graciously Upon my hated rival;
nd you gave him the precious treasure "s
f your heart: but I've got you now! Iii
'ou refused to be my bride on earth-lb,
on shall be my bride in heavenl l am tt
IN IL n