Connecticut western news., 1873-06-06
MRS. PERCY,S PERIL.


 Arthur Percy, captain in Her Majesty s dragons, is my husband, and the ad- venture I am about to relate befell me about eighteen months after our mar riage, when the regiment was quartered in Ireland.
 A detachment was stationed in one of the most unquiet parts of that country, which I refrain, from obvious reasons, from naming. Arthur was ordered to take command of it, and so I, of course. accompanied him with our baby, an in- fant of about five months. We thought ourselves very fortunate in having se- cured small but extremely pretty cot tage at an almost nominal rent, distant about one mile from the barracks. l cannot better describe the cottage than by telling you that it was called "The Bungalow" and like it's name sake, was a long, one-storied building, with veranda in front of the principal windows. A small entrance hall in which were two doors was the first thing observed on entering; one led to the drawing-room, dining and three bedrooms, while the other led directly to the kitchen, servants room, and into 8 passage leading to the outer offices.
 Our establishment consisted of two women servants and one man the lat ter, being soldier, returned every night to the barracks, which happened to be the nearest habitation to us, not even the humblest dwelling breaking the loneliness of the way between them and the Bungalow.
 1 have already said that the distance from them was about 8 mile, and the road, which was partly grass-grown, lay through 8 narrow sort of lane, enclosed on each side by very high he'd dgss.
 These hedges we're continual horror to me. Scarcely ever did I see Arthur start in the morning without visions arising of desperadoes concealed behind them, dressed in the inevitable long, tailed, ragged coat, the high-crowned, narrow-rimmed hat, and the murderous weapon, all of which things I invariably associated with an Irish ruffian.
 The dragons had been sent to quell some risings, and to support the au- thorities, consequently they were not regarded by the natives in any very friendly light. t-.
 As theweeks went on and every after noon brought Arthur safely back to me, my fears were somewhat allayed, and occasionally I walked through the lane towards the town to meet him-always, however, feeling glad when I got safely past any chance passer-by whom I might encounter.
 Arthur used to laugh at my fears, and as knew was desperate coward, I tried to think they were groundless. and merely the result of my own natural timidity. .=- '....
 The year was drawing to close, and on the 10th of January we were to bid adieu to the Bungalow, Ireland, and the Irish. The regiment was under orders for England in the spring, and till then Arthur was to go on leave.
 was in raptures at the prospect of being settled in my own part of the world again, and, best of all, leaving Ireland, against which entertained so profound prejudice. It was Christmas Eve Arthur was obliged, most unwil- lingly, to spend it at the barracks, as the few officers there wished to have a farewell dinner, and, in addition, there was to be an entertainment for the sol diers at an early hour.
 It had been showing heavily all day, and when Arthur left, about half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, darkness was beginning to come on.
 I begged him not to return if the snow continued, as I knew it might be very late ere the party broke up, and could not bear the idea of his coming home through that dark, narrow road, in the middle of snowy December night. If he did come he was to tap al I .rvr1S o1o l. let him in without disturbing the ser wants, who slept at the other side ot the house.
 After I had watched bis figure dis appear re-entered the cottage with { disagreeable sense of solitude anc weariness, which I tried to dispe1 by ringing for the nurse to bring my baby stirring the fire into cheerful blaze, anc otherwise occupying myself. Though almost quite dark, it was now only about four o'clock, and the blinds il the little sitting room were still un drawn. I was sitting on the heartl rug, with baby on my lap, amusing he with my watch and its glittering ap pendages, which were an unfaii1nt source of pleasure to her and as sh' stretched out her little hands to grasl them, I was suddenly attracted t. the direction of the window, througl which, to-my unutterable horror, I dis tinguished distinctly the face of ma1 | gleaming upon me. In that swift momentary glance I could see that was 8 pale, sinister, malevolent coun tenance, with small, hungry eyes. M, heart beat wildly, but dissembled m, terror well, I suppose, as had I don otherwise baby and I might have fare' differently. So rapidly had I compre hended the necessity for appearing no to have observed him, that I hardl stopped speaking to my baby, but thousand projects for escape from m present position revolved themselve through my whirling brain. How coul escape from that little room, with it dark, unshaded window Furtively looked again, and was infinitely re ieyed to find that the apparation ha vanished, for the present, at least, fro1 it's late close proximity to the window I got up at last, still chattering to m unconscious child, and moved slowl towards the door, even pausing for a instant at the table, partly to gathe strength to proceed, as my limbs wer
 ottering beneath me, partly because
 dreaded lest the lurker without migI still be marking my movements. ha scarcely strength left to turn the handl of the door, but once on the other sid of it, I rushed across the hall and gai1 ed the kitchen, where found my tw domestics seated at their tea.
 briefly told them of the fright I ha got, and was not much treasured o finding that both were, if possible greater towards than I was myself.
 The sound of whistle at no gres